In James 3:3–12, the apostle James delivers a profound message on the power of the tongue and its capacity to influence both positively and negatively. This passage is a vital reminder for Christians to be mindful of their words, as they possess the ability to build up or tear down others.

The Tongue’s Influence

James uses vivid imagery to convey the immense power of the tongue. He writes, “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal” (James 3:3). This analogy highlights how something as small as a bit can control a powerful horse. Similarly, “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go” (James 3:3). These illustrations emphasize that the tongue, though small, can guide the direction of our lives and influence others.

The Tongue’s Destructive Potential

James warns of the destructive nature of the tongue, stating, “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body” (James 3:6). Just as a small spark can ignite a massive forest fire, careless words can cause irreparable harm. Proverbs 18:21 reinforces this truth: “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Harsh words can wound the spirit, damage relationships, and create division within the body of Christ.

The tongue’s destructive potential is further highlighted in James 3:8: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” This statement reveals the inherent struggle within human nature to control our speech. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we are prone to gossip, slander, and negative talk that can hurt others and dishonor God.

The Power to Bless and Encourage

While the tongue can be destructive, it also has the potential to bless and encourage. James writes, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness” (James 3:9). This contradiction challenges believers to align their speech with their faith. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Our words should be used to uplift, encourage, and speak life into others. Proverbs 16:24 affirms, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” When we choose to speak words of kindness, encouragement, and truth, we reflect the character of Christ and bring healing to those around us.

The Heart’s Role in Speech

Jesus teaches that our words reflect what is in our hearts. In Luke 6:45, He says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” To tame the tongue, we must first allow God to transform our hearts. Through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, we can cultivate a heart that overflows with love, grace, and compassion.

A Destructive Christian

James offers a stark reality of how destructive the tongue and words can be. The book of James is written to believers and yet professing Christians can be brutal in their speech. The results are numerous and all bad! Throughout Scripture, believers are warned and encouraged to put off the old way of life, which was full of sin, and put on the new life, to transform (outwardly show change) and conform (inward spiritual growth) to the likeness of Christ.

A believer who chooses to not submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit and His control falls into Satan’s trap of allowing the old, sinful nature to surface and steer or direct that person’s life. In doing so, that person’s testimony as a believer is gone, the Holy Spirit is grieved and eventually quenched, and the person ends up with a powerless, unblessed, bitter, and angry life.

A Better Way

Take heart! All is not lost or in vain! The tongue and our words are, indeed, powerful, but they don’t have to be destructive. A Spirit-controlled Christian’s heart is aligned with God’s. The Holy Spirit guides the person’s life as the fruit of the Spirit grows into the character of Christ. The gifts of the Spirit encourage, build up, and prefer other Christians in love and ministry. As the heart overflows with God’s goodness, the Christian’s speech empowers others.

Repeatedly, God reminds us that out of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34; Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 10:11; Luke 6:45, and many others). Earlier in James (James 1:26), we see that a person who thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue is deceived!

As our hearts align with God, our words are sweet (Proverbs 16:24), providing blessing, encouragement, love, kindness, and forgiveness. As our hearts align with God, we outwardly demonstrate to others the inward changes for good that strengthens our testimony to all who we encounter. Our words can steer people toward God and change their direction from destruction to life!

Controlling the Tongue

1. Pause Before Speaking: James 1:19 advises, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” Taking a moment to reflect before speaking can prevent hurtful words.
2. Speak Words of Life: Commit to using your words to encourage and uplift others. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
3. Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with fellow believers who can lovingly correct and encourage you in your speech.
4. Pray for Guidance: Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your tongue and give you wisdom in your conversations. Psalm 141:3 pleads, “Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Conclusion

The power of the tongue is undeniable. As James 3:10 reminds us, “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” As followers of Christ, we are called to use our words to glorify God and edify others. By allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and guide our speech, we can be a source of encouragement and blessing to those around us.

James’ examples reflect how our words steer and direct our lives and the lives of others. Will we steer away from God, destroy our testimony with others, ruin our fellowship and close relationship with God, and transform into a bitter, angry, professing Christian with no visible sign of being changed? Or will we steer people toward God, steer and direct our hearts into a closer relationship with God, and allow Him to transform us into loving, Christ-like Christians with the joy of the Lord, God’s favor on our lives, and always ready to praise and bless God?

Let us strive daily to speak words that reflect the love and grace of our Savior, Jesus Christ.