October 1
“The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so,” James 3:5-10.
The tongue is a small member of the human body, but it brags about the great things that a person can do or accomplish. However, just like a little fire, it can do an enormous amount of damage. One little match can set a whole forest on fire and cause untold destruction. So can the tongue.
Think of the damage that is done in a family by an uncontrolled tongue. Think of the hurt and heartache that is done by a husband and wife, by parents and children, and by other relatives when with the tongue they are inconsiderate of the feelings of others. We might say that we are willing to forgive and forget the words that cut to the heart, but the human mind and our sinful nature do not let us forget that easily. James adds, “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.”
The hurt and the heartache caused by the tongue is also seen in the business world among employers, employees, co-workers, and associates, and also in government. Because of our sinful, jealous nature, people are inclined to think primarily of themselves, and often run roughshod over others.
James says that the tongue “is set on fire by hell.” The tongue is often put into the service of Satan, who is the master deceiver and liar. He whispers in our ear and encourages us to speak falsehoods, words of anger, cutting and snide remarks, lying and deceiving, and expressions of lovelessness.
Yes, the whole world is set on fire by the misuse of the tongue. Nations go to war because of what some world leader has said or as the result of lying and broken promises among men and nations.
The apostle says, “Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Zoos existed in the days of the apostles where wild animals were tamed and trained. But no one can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. The deadly poison points to all the damage that is done by an untamed tongue!
“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” With the tongue we praise and bless God, and out of that same mouth come words of cursing, profanity, and filthy remarks of all kinds. It ought not to be so!
Think of the price that Jesus paid for sins of the tongue. He was mocked, ridiculed, cursed, and condemned by the people of that day and by sinners in every generation since. Yes, Jesus suffered and died in the presence of a mocking multitude, and He shed His blood to wash away the sins of the tongue as well as all other sins. Thank God that Jesus redeemed us!
“Oh, let me never speak
What bounds of truth exceedeth;
Grant that no idle word
From out my mouth proceedeth.
And then, when in my place,
I must and ought to speak,
My words grant pow’r and grace,
Lest I offend the weak.” Amen.