Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths,
that they may obey us; and we turn
about their whole body. Behold also
the ships, which though they be so great,
and are driven of fierce winds, yet are
they turned about with a very small helm,
whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so
the tongue is a little member, and boasteth
great things. Behold, how great a matter a
little fire kindleth: And the tongue is a fire,
a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among
our members, that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and
it is set on fire of hell.
James 3:3-6
It is said that mighty dynamite comes in small packages and that due to its smallest many think that it does not have mighty power. But they do! A ship, an aircraft carrier, large deep in the water is turned by a small rudder. I fly airplanes and when I turn the plane it is done by a small portion of the wing, the aileron and trimmed by small portion of the tail wing. James if given us a fact that all would know to be true, small things can have power. James compares these small things to the tongue which is a small part of the body but can do both good and bad according to the will and impulse of a person. It is not that we are to speak and to instruct for that is our duty but we must not allow our own sentiments to be the standard for others. I am not speaking about true doctrine, or commandments in Scripture, but those things that a person likes and considers them to be very important: i.e., a person is vegan and looks down upon a person who eats meat as though that is a wrongful thing to do. We become little judges, or providences and try others by our standards. People become self-justifiers and think more of their standards than of others so they censure people who think different. I am not speaking about sin, or those things that could truly hurt another but to not become guilty before God to think that we have all the answers for that is nothing more than self-deception. All of us are guilty before God! God sees us through Jesus Christ, not by what do in attempt to remove that guilt by ourselves. We must learn the art of judging ourselves, become severe in our judging of ourselves, but to others become charitable.
Oh! The tongue, how often has it made a fool out of me! How often have I spoke to quick and listened to slow. How often have I hurt others by not governing my tongue. How often have I said things I would like to take back, but this is impossible for once said it now belongs to the universe, gone out never to return. Where is there help? First: prove yourself first by comparing your thinking, your life with Scripture. Next: wisdom and grace, these will enable a person to rule their tongue, and by this rule their actions. Are you quick to speak, quick to anger? The more a person should take care to govern it. Like the horse even with the bridle will run amuck if the bridle is not handled properly to enable a person to control the horse. A person must become resolved and be watchful and be under the influences of the grace of God.
We must become dreadful of an unruly tongue for it then becomes a dreadful evil. The tongue can lead a person into sin, a world of iniquity, defiling passions, vent when it should be silent, and even can become a thing cherished by the use of coarse language to make a person seem to be a likeable person because he or she is like the world.
Some preachers use the tongue to preach heresy, to use things that seem godly but is nothing more than the tongue speaking false words. There is confusion due to the misuse of tongues (I am not speaking of the false use of "tongues" as though it is a spiritual language).
The tongue on the other hand can be a useful tool by which the truth is spoken. The tongue can speak to God with words of gratitude, praise, even to ask for repentance. The tongue can speak well and kindly, it does not have to be a venomous poison. All this takes a right relationship with Jesus Christ our God and Savior. We, all of us, have the power to control our tongue. It is not impossible. We have all the help needed, all we have to do is use this help. we will either acquire this help or we will lean on ourselves. The former will be a good use of the tongue, the latter, well there is no telling if it will be good or bad, but due to our sinful nature: it will probably be bad. Our growth in our sanctification here on earth is one that controls our thoughts, and our actions, and our tongue. Are you growing?
He that speaketh truth showeth
forth righteousness: but a false
witness deceit. There is that speaketh
like the piercings of a sword: but the
tongue of the wise is health.
Proverbs 12:17-18
Control the tongue: This is faith in action
Richard L. Crumb
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