Taming the Tongue (And What Happens When We Don't)

"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 we curse people who are made in the likeness of God." 

- James 3:8-9
 

 

Every human being has speech. 

It's one thing that defines us. Our words show who we are, revealing our true nature—from our heart we speak, and the words we say from the heart reflect the state of it. 

Our words have power. A word of encouragement can brighten a person's day, and a criticism or insult can destroy self-esteem or joy, and even pressure others into sinning. Words have more powerful than any dragon of myth ever did; for who could ever hear of the dragons if not for the words we use to speak about them? 

And, like the dragons, words are very difficult to tame. 

Have you ever said something, a joke, that you immediately wish you could take back? Have you said something that causes another person to stumble, or to hurt? Have you listened to others joke and talk, knowing that they're not using their words well, but been too afraid that their words will be turned on you to speak up? 

Well, you're not alone. We all sin with our lips, and we are all surrounded by people who do. This sin permeates our lives. And it's one of the most sneaky that we see. 

 

For Christians, the tongue is a tool. "With it we bless our Lord and Father," James writes. We sing in church, and we say all the right things. We talk the talk of being a Christian when it feels appropriate. When a friend is struggling, we share a Bible verse, maybe offer to pray. And that's good.

But, like any tool, it can be misused. And nobody is safe from the temptation to misuse it. "With it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God," James continues—and you know that's true. We may talk the Christian talk in church, but surround us with nonbelievers in school or at work, and all that talk vanishes. Suddenly, when you hear someone make a derogatory comment about someone else, you laugh. You may feel uncomfortable, but that's the limit of your conscience. It's not that bad, right? you rationalize; After all, I've got to keep up my relationship with them, or they'll never respect anything I have to say. And so you laugh, and you join in on the joking. No harm done. 

But the tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. That poison is corrupting you, even as you think those thoughts. It will not stop in its enslaving you until you're so corrupted that no wholesome thought ever leaves your mouth at all. 

 

James mentions cursing people made in the image of God. That's something we need to remember in these scenarios. When you make fun of a schoolmate or coworker who messed up, or a YouTuber you dislike, or a politician of the opposing party—that is a person who is made in the image of God. When you curse them, no matter how much you try not to mean it, you are cursing the Lord's work. That's not something you can treat lightly. 

Instead of cursing, Christians should bless. We should be marked by the love we hold for our friends, and especially the love we hold for our enemies. Our words have been entrusted to us by our Maker and our Savior and the Spirit that dwells inside of us, and we need to use them for good—not bury them, and not use them for evil. 

Is this possible?

Can we ever do this, in our conversations? Are we strong enough to speak of others as better than ourselves, and to treat those who hate us with love? Can we, when the conversation turns to a subject that we cannot follow without sin, have the strength to step aside? To say no? 

Yes. It's possible—because ultimately, we don't live on our own strength. If it were up to you and me, we would never have the strength to say no to anything. But it's not. 

When you're given one of these situations, pray. When the perfect opportunity to tear someone down presents itself, pray. Give your words to God. Don't spread the poison, no matter how satisfying it feels; because it won't satisfy you, no matter how much you expect it to. 

And let every word you speak be spoken for the glory of God. He
will satisfy you, and do so eternally.