The tongue, though the smallest part of the body, possesses immense power to transform a person and impact the lives of others. Despite its size, it holds both great physical and symbolic significance. It not only plays vital roles in speech, taste, and digestion but is also crucial in communication and human interaction. Spiritually, learning to control the tongue is a key step toward personal growth, wisdom, and maturity.
The book of James offers us to learn and provides spiritual guidance on how we should control our tongue and its impact on our spiritual maturity while we walk with Christ.
In James 1:26, it says, “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
What does James mean by “religion”?
Outward Practice and Worship: James is referring to the outward expression of devotion and service to God. In this context, “religion” is translated as “worship,” and this term is used three times in the New Testament (James 1:26-27, Acts 26:5, and Colossians 2:18).
Pure Religion: According to James, true religion has nothing to do with rituals, ceremonies, temples, or special days.
Religion in Action: Pure religion means living as a testimony to God’s word that we learn, sharing it with others through our speech, acts of service, and maintaining a life set apart from worldly influences.
Tongue and Speech interconnection
There is another part that James 1:26 refers to reign on their tongues that deceives one’s self. “yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves”
Unless we keep a tight control of the tongue the “religion in action” will not happen, All the religion practice we do will be just a “outward practice and worship”, like how the Pharisees and Sadducees performed their rituals. It may appear good to others, but it won’t carry the true fragrance of the Lord to be glorified in thru our life’s reflections.
Fire by hell (Actions of Boasting / Anger / Rage) James 3:5-6 'Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. '
A tongue cannot be tamed by a human, it can be tamed and controlled by God - James 3:8 'but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. '
Tongue is the one which expresses the wickedness (outward action) of human’s evil that brewers inside ones heart.
James gives us six pictures of the tongue in James 3
The bit
The rudder
Fire
A poisonous animal
A fountain
A fig tree.
We can classify this 6 pictures to 3 powers of tongue
Power to Direct: The bit and the rudder
Teachers Warning
James 3:1 'Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. '
When James wrote this, people were often impressed by the authority and prestige of teachers, but they overlooked the fact that teaching comes with greater accountability and stricter judgment.
Teachers are called to use their tongues to share God’s truth, but it’s easy to fall into sins of speech.
Teachers must practice what they preach, otherwise their teaching is hypocrisy. Leading to sins of hypocrisy.
Its not not for teachers others also fall to this trap James 3:2 “We all stumble in many ways...”
The tongue is often the first to cause someone to stumble, setting off a chain of actions that lead to sin.
Our old sinful nature constantly tries to take control and lead us astray.
The sin inside us and pressures on the outside what we see are seeking to get control of the tongue.
Bit and rudder
James 3:3-4 'When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. '
The bit controls the horse, guiding its movements, just as a rudder steers a large ship in the right direction, even against strong winds.
James uses this analogy to show that our tongue, though small, can produce significant results, like the bit and rudder that direct and guide.
The bit and rudder symbolize the power to influence and direct, meaning they can impact the course of others’ lives.
A judge’s words of “Guilty” or “Not guilty” shape the fate of a person.
A parent’s “Yes” or “No” affects a child’s desires and decisions.
Jesus’ words to the woman at the well changed not only her life but also the lives of her neighbors (John 4).
Peter’s preaching at Pentecost led 3,000 Jews to salvation in Christ (Acts 2).
The tongue has the power to direct others’ lives, steering them toward the right or wrong path.
We can guide others rightly only if we are filled with the right things of Christ. Our ability to speak truth and wisdom comes from immersing ourselves in God’s Word. Each time we read the Bible, it offers new insights and deeper understanding, helping us better control our tongue and direct others in the right way.
Power to Destroy : The Fire and animal
James 3:5-8 'Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. '
Just as a tiny spark can grow into a devastating fire that consumes an entire forest or city, our words can ignite destructive situations.
Our words have the potential to spark these destructive fires.
When driven by anger or frustration, our words can become “burning” words that we later regret.
Solomon captured these two in a perfect words of Self-Control
Proverbs 17:27 'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. '
Proverbs 14:29 'Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. '
The Destructive Power of Words:
Damage to Jesus - Jesus was falsely labeled as “a glutton and a drunkard” when he spent time with the tax collectors, even after this he accepted to eat with people that pharisees did not like Matthew 11:19 'The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.” '
Fuel to Spread fast - Like a fire that spreads faster with more fuel, harmful words can destroy a person’s entire life. Though we may confess sins of speech, the damage caused by our words often continues to spread.
Destructive Impact: Words have immense destructive power. This is why we are called to have our speech always be full of grace and seasoned with wisdom Colossians 4:6 'Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Animal Behavior of the Tongue:
The tongue is not only like a fire but also like a wild, untamable animal. It is restless and seeks to attack, just as a hungry lion or a venomous snake would.
Poisonous words are like a dangerous predator, capable of causing widespread harm and deception.
While animals can be tamed, James reminds us that the tongue cannot be tamed by human efforts—it can only be controlled by God.
If God sets a fire from heaven to purify and direct the tongue, it can become a powerful tool for winning lost souls and building the church.
Heart and Tongue Connection:
There is a deep connection between the heart and the tongue. Our words reveal the true condition of our hearts, as Jesus explains in Matthew 12:34-35: “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”
When the heart is right, the tongue will follow, and the destructive power within can be tamed.
When the heart is filled with God’s love, He will light a fire in us, enabling us to speak life, love, and truth.
Power to Delight : the fountain and tree
James 3:9-12 'With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. '
Water is a vital refreshment for all living beings and also serves as a cleanser.
Our words, like water, can refresh and nourish others (see Proverbs 18:4, 10:11, 13:14):
Proverbs 18:4 'The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. '
Proverbs 10:11 'The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. '
Proverbs 13:14 'The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death. '
However, we cannot experience this refreshing unless we ourselves are cleansed by the living waters of the Spirit.
Ephesians 5:25-27 'Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. '
Ask God to cleanse you so that you are a fountain for others and Ask God to make you like a river described in Ezekiel 47
The tongue also holds the power to delight because it’s like a tree.
A tree provides beauty, shade, and fruit.
Our words can help shelter and encourage a weary person or hungry soul.
Proverbs 10:21 'The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. '
John 6:63 'The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. '
The fountain and tree cannot have bad water and bad fruits from it.
If someone sings and prays at church but then argues with their family on the way home, The cause of this is not the tongue its the heart that needs to be fixed James 3:14 'But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. '
When our hearts are filled with bitterness and self-centeredness, our words will reflect it, producing “hard water” or “bad fruit.”
But if we are filled with love, our words will be transformed to reflect the goodness and grace of God.
Reflection and Words to transform & Practice.
Please and Thank you - These simple words reflect respect and appreciation. When you use them, you’re treating people as individuals, not as objects.
I am sorry - these two words have a way to break down walls and bridges.
I Love you - Often mistaken for being purely romantic, these words carry much deeper meaning. As followers of Christ, we are called to love even our enemies. “I love you” has the power to communicate profound care and compassion.
I am praying for you - When you say I am praying for you, we let others know we care enough for them to meet them at throne of grace. Never say I am praying for you in a boast full way. Our private praying helps in our public meeting with people.
Amen