Taming the Tongue

“Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Do you believe that? What can you do with your mouth? Eat, talk, share news. You can speak life to someone, or you can speak negativity, or hate. Ultimately you have power to control your tongue.

Taming the tongue

James 3:1-7 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

Vs: 6 — The tongue may be small, but it is powerful. Your words carry farther, and longer than you guys think. How many of you can think of something embarrassing that you said in the past? How many of you can think of something hurtful you have said in the past? Now how many of you think that there are words you have said to people that they can still remember? Do you think these people speak highly of you?

Clip from Bench-warmers

You may be a good man or woman now, you may be great in the future, but what small fire have you set in someone else’s life? How have you tarnished your image in someone else’s eyes? Let me warn you. They may even smile to your face, they may be friendly, but they have their own perspective of you that you cannot see. Sometimes this is a positive view, and the more wholesome we are to people, the better they will perceive us. But if we are negative, rude, or mean then they will think very poorly of us. Even if you wish they would not.

**Everyone goes home and lays their head on their own pillow. Don’t be the reason someone else’s sleep is ruined because of what you said, or how you treated them.**

How do you tame the tongue? You cannot. Not in your own power. You have to rely on the Lord. Only God has the power to change people. If you want to change, if you want to start living a wholesome life, if you want your speech to start reflecting the image of God, then you have to do a few things.

You must pray. Pray for God to help you still your tongue when you want to lash out. Pray that you will see the world and it’s situations through His eyes so that you will have His perspective. Pray that He will calm you when you are angered. Pray that He will still you when you are anxious. Pray that He will guide you when you have to deal with a difficult situation.

Take a breather. Take a step back. When you feel yourself getting angry or frustrated, then take a break. Either take a breath, walk away from the situation, slow down and think things through. Do whatever you need to bring yourself to the point where you can reflect God rather than showing anger and hatred. Even if that means removing yourself from the situation for a little bit.

Surround yourself with people who will not push your buttons, or tempt you to fail. We can lash out in anger and show a pretty poor side of ourselves. We can also be tempted to put people down, make fun of them, when we are around the wrong crowd. You pick the circle you run around with, but then that circle runs you. Choose wisely.

You cannot speak life and death from the same mouth. An apple tree will not produce oranges. A grape vine will not give you strawberries. The tongue of a Christian man and woman is not meant to be unhinged or unbridled in life. We are controlled by our Lord.

We cannot be kind and loving at church, and spew hatred at school, or out with our friends, or online. The moment our mouths begin to spew filthiness then it is the prime indicator that our hearts are in a bad place. If our hearts are in a bad place then our worship will be counterfeit.

Tame the tongue. Share love, speak life. Do not tear people down. The tongue is a powerful tool. Do not use it for ruin, only for good.

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Ephesians 5:4 “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.”

James 1:26 “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”

James 3:8-12 “but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.”

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”

Romans 12:14 “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.” 2 Timothy 2:1