No matter if man or woman, big or small, or old or young, there is a part of a person that gets them in the most trouble. This appendage, as small as it is (James 3:5), helps send many in the wrong direction (Jam. 3:3, 4) and is responsible for many things that its owner often regrets. This difficult to manage part of everyone’s anatomy is one’s tongue.
Controlled, one’s tongue can be a blessing to God and mankind (Jam. 3:9, 10). Uncontrolled, the tongue can:
- Make some desire to govern others’ lives (Jam. 3:1). As Matthew Henry has said, “… do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners. Do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.”
- Offend others (Jam. 3:.2).
- Govern one’s whole body into doing wrong things (Jam. 3:3, 4).
- Boast. We are nothing on our own merit. If we have achieved anything it is only because of God’s grace, mercy, and blessing. Boasting elevates our successes due to our own merit and disregards God’s help and influence (Jam. 3:5).
- Defile one’s body (Jam. 3:6). A slip of the tongue can destroy one’s testimony, causing others to look at him in a less desirable light. Another slip can utter words that will totally change the direction of one’s life. Words spewed in anger can wound relationships and cause one to have a lonely life.
- Unrestrained evil talk (Jam.3: 8) destroys its owner’s future and the futures of others. The words uttered from an unbridled mouth have killed many in wars, and changed the courses of nations.
We are blessed to have the ability to speak. It can do so much bad, but it was not given to us for that reason. Our speech was given to bring honor and glory to God (Jam. 9, 10), to encourage others, to give good counsel, to give words that will guide others in the way God has revealed from His Word, and hosts of other positive outcomes.
Unbridled, the tongue will not achieve much of its original intent. Controlled, it can do more good than any of our other appendages. Is your tongue under your control or the Holy Spirit’s? Does your lack of controlling what your tongue utters reflect what truly lurks in your heart (Jam. 3:14)?
“Be careful little lips what you say, for the Father up above, is looking down with love. Be careful little lips what you say.” — Child’s song
One of my lifelong tasks has been to control the tongue. I get it honestly. It was once said of one of my ancestors…. “anyone who talks that much is bound to say something wrong”. I am also reminded of the proverb…17:28…Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
Often credit for this gem is given to Abraham Lincoln and/or Mark Twain…both of which borrowed liberally from scripture without giving credit.
Thanks Bro Brinkworth.
As the world resolves so does man kind as we all are guilty of holding standards of another’s character . Sometimes I don’t think if someone says they hate someone they mean it maybe the someone just pushed them so far they blurted out the hate word but I don’t think they really hate the person per sec I think they hate what the person is doing to them aka controlling .
This helped me:
Matthew Henry has said, “… do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners. Do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.”
Talking about your tongue utters what’s in your heart – how true that is! When people get into arguments, one may say, “I hate you!” Later they apologize and say, “I didn’t mean to say that! I was just mad!”
Well, if they didn’t mean to say it, then they wouldn’t’ve said it! What comes out of your mouth, originates in your heart! Jesus said, “for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” (Matthew 12:34). That’s why I tell people to be careful what they say to their spouse and others!
One more thing: Growing up you hear, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” – that is absolutely false! Words do hurt!
Great devotion!