Taming the Tongue

Reading: James 3:1-13

"If anyone thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless" (Js 1:26)

In the light of the New Testament, the word "perfection" is understood as growth and maturity. One of the important qualities that shows maturity in a man is his ability to control his tongue. This is what the Bible says: "We all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body" (Js 3:2).

The Epistle of James is among the most practical books in the New Testament. One of his main subjects is tongue. He tells a lot about it. He goes to the extent to say, "If anyone cannot control his tongue, his religion is useless."

The warning of Jesus that "for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment" (Mt 12:36,37), shows us the seriousness of our unnecessary talks.

Jesus spoke truthful words (Mk 12:32), graceful words (Lk 4:22) and faultless words (Lk 20:26). When Peter pointed out the spotlessness of Jesus he said, "He committed no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth" (1 Pet 2:22).

Almost all the Epistles emphasise the necessity of speaking the right words and avoiding unedifying talk. It is stated, "No man can tame the tongue" (Js 3:8). It must be taken control of by the Holy Spirit. A confession of the sins of our tongue and a consecration of the tongue at the altar of God will bring down fire from Above for cleansing and commission (Isa 6:5-9). Of all the organs of their bodies the Holy Spirit primarily took hold of their tongue when He came upon the early disciples (Acts 2:4). We cannot ignore the significance!

Someone said that of all the parts of the body, nothing helps Satan as much as the tongue! During Samson's time, the jawbone of a donkey was used to kill. Even today it's the same. "Reckless words pierce like a sword" (Prov 12:18). Tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts a lot (Js 3:5). Words of gossip (Prov 18:8), mockery (Prov 19:29), strife (Prov 18:6), harshness (Prov 15:1) and lying (Prov 19:5) should be avoided. Let the 32 white soldiers stop the tongue coming out unnecessarily! Thiruvalluvar, an ancient Tamil poet has said,

"Going for bad words when there are good ones is like choosing an unripe fruit when there's a ripe one!"

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