“Taming the Tongue” (James 3:1-12)

            (Read James 3:1-12).  One of the most important things we can learn as Christians is to recognize when we need to keep our tongues under control.  Consider this.  One of your friends says, “Did you hear about Sally Price?  I understand she…”  You open your mouth and STOP!  Gossip is a definite no-no.  Or, your spouse put the dishes in the wrong place again!  You know he’s trying to help, but this is the umpteenth time he’s gotten it wrong.  You feel yourself getting angry and open your mouth and STOP!  You smile, glad that you’ve got a husband who’s trying to help and remember that men are by nature incapable of figuring out where the dishes belong. 

            Although the tongue is a 3 inch muscle, it’s very powerful.  The tongue drives our lives.  James tells us that a bit in a horse’s mouth is a little piece of steel, but when used properly it can control a 2000 pound animal.  A rudder on a ship is small, but it enables the captain to control the course of an immense ship.  Finally, a spark in a forest; under control, a spark can make a fire to warm cold travelers.  But, out of control, a spark can cause an inferno that can destroy thousands of acres of trees. 

            Who can save us from the words we use to hurt our neighbor, God, and ourselves?  Jesus can!  Martin Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” mentions Satan where Luther writes, “Rage we can endure, For lo! His doom is sure, One little Word shall fell him.”  It was through ONE WORD that human history was changed.  When Jesus spoke the words, “It is finished” from the cross we were saved from the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh.  Those words, “It is finished” were one word in the Greek.  The word, “tetelestai.” 

            James makes clear to us that we as human beings have no way of taming our tongues on our own.  That’s why Jesus spoke no evil.  The charges of blasphemy were false when Jesus stood on trial before the Sanhedrin.  There was no guile in Him as 1 Peter 2 tells us.  And finally, Jesus was crucified for our sins.  We as human beings would destroy ourselves were it not for the grace we’re given in Jesus.  Only the cross on which Christ died empowers us to tame our tongues.  Knowing that God for Jesus’ sake forgives us gives us comfort for the trouble our tongues have caused. Please pray with me:  O Lord, purify me so that my words may uplift, strengthen, bring peace where there is strife and bring sincerity where there is falsehood.  Use my lips to speak your glory, to tell of Your wonderful deeds, and to proclaim Your salvation in Jesus.  Amen.