Have you ever truly considered the good and the bad that can come forth from that little member that we call the tongue? Isn’t it something that in the same breath we can give encouraging / uplifting words to one and as well discouraging / destructive words to another? Sadly, it is more often the latter that we are most accustomed to – because we want the “power” over our own tongues. And yet, we do so with little regard as to the effect that we may have on the receiver of our diatribe.
Several years ago my family and I traveled to the Wisconsin Dells for a little R&R. While there, we went horseback riding. The horse I rode was called “Joe”. Joe was the largest horse in the group. As we rode, it became very apparent that Joe had a mind of his own, and that he didn’t care to be “directed” with a tug on the bridle. For every time I pulled the reigns to the left or to the right, he would shake his head in
“disagreement” – yet, he did submit to a stronger pull on the bit in his mouth.
Reflecting back to that time of horseback riding on “Joe”, I was reminded of the passage in James 3.
James 3:3-10 states,
“Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”
(Note: The entire chapter of James 3 deals with the use of the tongue.)
Notice that verse 8 stated,
“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
Unlike the horse that we put the bit in his mouth to make him “obey” us, the Lord requires that we willingly “submit” our tongues unto Him in order that He may direct it as an “honorable member” – instead of it being an “unruly dishonorable member“. For the latter part of chapter 3 states, from an “unwise” man comes forth “bitter envying [jealousy]”, “strife in your heart”, “confusion”, “evil work [that is, no mercy, no godly fruit, yet hypocrisy]”. This again is due to the fact that we ourselves cannot tame this unruly member [the tongue] from without; nor can we with our own strength. It must be tamed from within – through a Spirit lead life.
When we do willingly submit our lives unto Christ, we will be endued with “wisdom from above” – which will tame not only our tongues, but will also yield a complete “vessel of honor” fit for the Master’s use. Notice the words of James 3:13,17,18,
“Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation [through his God directed life] his works with meekness of wisdom. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.”
May we willingly choose to surrender our “tongues” unto the leadership of the Lord – such that every word that proceeds from our lips brings honor unto Him, and not dishonor. Finally it might be asked, “Has the sides of your mouth been hurting of late, because the Lord has had to pull hard on your bit and bridle?”
