James 3:5-6 “5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”
BETTER TO BE TONGUE-TIED
Oh the tongue! It can get us in so much trouble. Have you ever known someone (it may be you) who didn’t have a filter between their brain and their tongue? Whatever came to mind came out of their mouth. They just said whatever was on their mind. Not smart!
These verses are just two of the verses on the tongue which James writes. The first 12 verses of chapter 3 deal with this. James gives some great examples of the tongue (ship’s rudder, bridle, flame). But as clear as James makes this warning, we all still struggle with it.
TEACHING MOMENT
Do you spend a lot of time correcting your children in this area? Name calling, tattling and “poor choice” of words are just a few of the things parents deal with, right? Take your kids to this chapter of James. Show them it is not just your rule. God demands we control our tongues for the benefit of others.
Little Elrod or Susie need to know that words have consequences. They can’t say one thing to one person and the exact opposite to someone else (bitter and sweet waters). They can’t say they love God and then spew hatred towards someone that hurt them. James is very clear on this. Even a child can read this chapter and get it.
Have you done that lately? Have you spoken evil of someone? “Not me, Carl. I would never do that.” Right! Sure you haven’t. We may not call it “evil,” but if it is not building that person up then it is better to keep our mouths shut. It is better to bite our tongue. In those situations, it is better to be tongue-tied.
A Moment In Time 