The Apostle James, Jesus’ brother speaks to the us about the untamable tongue in mankind.   He likens it to putting bits in powerful horses and a rudder on huge ships of the sea to demonstrate how the rider of a horse or driver of a ship can get them to go wherever they desire.  The tongue, being a tiny member of the body can have powerful and devastating effects on its intended desires.

James 3:6  “  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.  v8  But no man can tame the tongue.  It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  v9  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the image of God.  v10  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so. “  (emphasis mine)  NKJV

We read these words of truth and we all know them to be true.  Why then do we continue to practice such things ?   What is it that causes us to tear down one another and speak so hatefully against one another ?  

The answer comes from Jesus Christ Himself in Mark 7:20-23  “ What comes out of a person is what defiles him. v21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness.  v23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person. “  ESV

Also when Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees because of their unrighteousness said to them in Matthew 12:34-37  “ Brood of vipers !  How can you, being evil, speak good things ?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” 

Jesus then goes on to explain that for every idle word man may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgement. ]” For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. “ (v36,37)    

Make no mistake about it my friends, we all be judged by God one day, and the choices you make in your life will either place you in eternal damnation or eternal life. Choose to live with Christ forever.( see Ecclesiastes 12:14 ; 2 Corinthians 5:10)

All throughout Scripture God reveals the demonic forces and evil spirits that deceive people in believing the lies, the corruption, the wickedness, and the hatred which is the ongoing work of Satan in this world.  We all are sinners there is not one among us that does not sin. ( see Acts 28:26-28; Romans 1:28-32; Romans 3:9-31)  We are by nature sinful, disobedient and rebel against the loving ways of Christ. 

Let me leave you with three more verses of truth as it pertains to the evil that is so prevalent in our world today. 

2 Peter 2:1-3  “Therefore laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, evil and all evil speaking, v2  as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby, v3  If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

Jeremiah 17:9,10  “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”

Mark 7:6,8  “ This people honors Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me; in vain[pride] do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.  You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.”

Let me also leave you with these words as spoken by Solomon in relation to an untamed tongue.  Proverbs 21:23,24  “ Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”  And “ A proud and haughty man – Scoffer is his name;  He acts with arrogant pride.”

Start today – Don’t delay and change your life - Let the power of God’s words speak to you and be filled with a peace and joy beyond measure.  

  Find additional inspiration and encouragement found in the books “Finding Calm in the Storm of Everyday Living” or “Heart and Soul” either going to Amazon directly or hitting the home page of the store and scrolling down to books.