Taming the Tongue
Lessons from the book of James (#10)
- Teachers, be careful! You are accountable for your words.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1) (Note: Most of us take on the role of a teacher in various ways throughout our lives. Most of us teach Biblical principles to others on numerous occasions. We would be hard pressed to say that we never teach anyone.)
“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. (Matthew 18:5-6 ESV)
- Watch your words. Words spoken carelessly are destructive
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. … but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (James 3:6 & 8 ESV)
- Scripture instructs us to only use words that will build others up.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:29-30 ESV)
- Do you know where your words come from?
The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45 ESV)
- Remember:
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. (Proverbs 15:1-2 ESV)
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (Colossians 4:6 ESV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. (Proverbs 25:11 ESV)
A simple conclusion: On our own, no one is qualified to teach anyone or anything. We need the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to be the teacher that God wants us to be. Here are some prayers that we all need to pray:
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10 ESV)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 ESV)
Now go and be the teacher that God planned for you to be.
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