James 3:1-5

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.

Taming the tongue is a lofty and all-important goal.  Unfortunately, it is an impossible goal this side of heaven.  None of us can completely control our tongue but that should not prevent us from striving to do so.  James informs us about our tongues in an effort to help us grow in our ability to tame it.

THE PROTECTION FROM THE TONGUE: Teaching the Word of God is an awesome privilege and responsibility.  Being able to spend time studying the Bible and then getting to explain and apply it to the life of the body of Christ is simply a wonderful blessing.  I am still amazed that I get to do that so frequently.  It is, however, sobering to consider that every word we speak will be judged.  The weight of the responsibility involved should give us great pause.  It is a task not to be take lightly of flippantly.  The admonition to enter teaching carefully is a wise one because those who teach are required to use many words.  Perhaps the greatest protection we have from the danger our tongues represent is simply silence.  The more words we speak the more danger we are in of sinning with our words.  We need to always weigh our words carefully but especially when we teach.

THE PERFECTION BY THE TONGUE: James reminds us that we are all flawed individuals that fail in multiple areas of our lives.  However, sinful speech is perhaps the most common area for us to fail that can be seen by others.  I would argue that sinful thoughts are even harder to control but thankfully, are thought are not visible to others besides God.  James asserts that a person who can control his tongue perfectly can also achieve perfection in every other are of their life.  Sanctification is a process that required dependent diligence.  We must depend on the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit at work in us to grow into the likeness of Christ.  However, that truth is not an excuse to be lazy.  Self-discipline and diligence are vital to the sanctification process.  Those who can achieve the right balance of disciplined dependence that allows them to control their speech perfectly can apply that to any other area of life with success.  

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE: Bits and rudders have tow things in common: they are small, and they control the direction of things that are proportionately much larger.  That is what they also have in common with the tongue.  In comparison with the rest of our body, the tongue is small.  But the influence the tongue has on us is astounding.  Our knowledge, reputation, maturity, kindness, honesty, integrity, wisdom, and the condition of our hearts are all determined by the way we use our words.  This is something that should weigh heavily upon us and motivate us to be intentional about developing habits of speech that are under the Spirit’s control.

APPLICATION: Understand the privilege and responsibility involved with teaching God’s Word and enter into it with sobriety and gratitude.  Ask for the Spirit of God to empower us to be able to have the discipline to place our speech under His control.  Recognize the power the tongue has over every aspect of our lives.