TAME THE TONGUE

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so 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 (James 3:2-8).

 

Let’s summarize some of these truths:

 

1. Every beast and animal has been tamed by humankind except the tongue.

2. If we can control the tongue, we can control the whole body.

3. Very large things can be controlled by something very small.

4. The tongue is a fire.

 

God often employs natural examples to bring about spiritual understanding. Jesus often used natural, physical, tangible analogies in His parables. He talked about a man who sowed seed, a woman who searched for a lost coin, and servants who invested their master’s money--all of these describe the Kingdom of God.

 

In this passage God uses the tongue to teach truth. The tongue is a fire--something out of control, something that is difficult if not impossible to tame. If we can control the tongue, this enables us to control every aspect of our lives.

 

T.D. JAKES