In every organization or phase of life, there are rules to live by. Some of them are written and some are just understood. If you are a member of an organization and you are unruly or out of order, there will be consequences. Sometimes that unruly member must suffer discipline for the betterment of the entire body. An unruly member must be held accountable.
In the book of James, he speaks of an unruly member we each possess. This member is called the tongue and there are many who seem to have no control over that member of their body. In the Christian world, we should be different because we are to be controlled by the Holy Spirit, yet on an average day you can hear almost anything from a Christian that you will hear from someone who does not know Christ.
In America, we pride ourselves on freedom of speech. We feel we have the right to say what we please. We speak with angry tones when something doesn’t please us. We spread rumors and gossip about others’ problems and sins. We use slang words to express our feelings, sometimes because of our ignorance they are words referring to our God. We use our tongues to boast about ourselves, insult others, lie to cover up the truth and complain continually. This misuse of the tongue is a disgrace for a Christian. Our name indicates who we represent to the one we represent to the world and He deserves better.
Our mission should be to fulfill Titus 2:8. Paul teaches us in this verse we are to have sound speech that cannot be condemned. We are to speak in such a way that we cannot be misunderstood. Our words are powerful, and they are to be always truthful and spoken with grace. Our speech should be spoken in a way that shows who we are controlled by and who we belong to. If the Holy Spirit has control, we will know how to answer others as Paul teaches in Colossians 4:6.
Titus 2:8 “Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.”
In James chapter 3 he gives an entire section of the chapter to how we should control the tongue. He even calls the man perfect or complete, who does not offend others with his tongue. This character trait shows great discipline in a person’s life. In James 3:3-4 he uses the analogy of how a little bit in a horse’s mouth and a small rudder on a ship can control the entire body. The tongue is one of the smallest members of our body, but it can destroy or preserve our lives. Our tongue can breathe life and hope into others. It can speak truths that are vital to our growth spiritually, mentally, and physically. James says that the tongue is like a fire. It only takes a spark to create a burning field. The tongue can be like a wildfire once it starts it is hard to contain.
James 3:2-6 “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 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 continues to teach us how undisciplined our tongues are. He says beasts and all sorts of living creatures can be tamed but no man can tame the tongue. While we cannot completely tame it, we have to do our best to control it. Words spoken can hurt deeply and can scar a person for life. We need to think before we speak and filter our words through the influence of the Holy Spirit. This will require discipline on our part, but God will supply all we need to keep from sinning with our tongues. The best way I know to discipline our tongues is to get to know Jesus on an intimate level. When we know Him well, we will love Him more. When we love Him supremely, we will want to please Him. Our thoughts will become sweeter and seasoned with grace which keeps us from spouting hurtful words. People will not be seen as an opportunity to vent or complain about, but as a person Jesus loves just as much as He loves you. We need to seek to have the mind of Christ, a mind that is yielded to being a servant to others, and a mind that thinks the way Paul teaches us in Philippians 4:8. When we focus on being like Christ it will go a long way in taming our tongue. What we think determines what we say and how we act. Following Jesus’ pattern will discipline our tongues.
James 3:7-10 “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we, God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
