James writes, “If anyone thinks he is ‘spiritual’ but does not control his tongue, then his spirituality is useless and he deceives himself.” James 1:26.
Do the people you know choose their words carefully? Do they stop themselves from saying certain things? Do they take their time with their words? Or does everything they think automatically come out of their mouth?
Spiritual maturity requires us to exercise discipline over our words. (It is up to you to keep your mouth clean so your parents don’t have to “wash your mouth out with soap,” as the oft-repeated threat goes.)
Consider the third chapter of James. The passage is so easy to understand and practical and well-written that I want to quote it straight from the text:
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 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! 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 lives, and is set on fire by hell!
For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
James 3:1-12.
In response to my opening question about spiritual maturity, consider James 3:2–“If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” James seems to argue there is a correlation between controlling one’s tongue and spiritual maturity.”
James says don’t be a teacher, because you will be held to a higher standard, a stricter judgment (isn’t that interesting?). He compares reckless words to ARSON—they will set your whole life on fire, and that fire is the fire of Hell! Did you catch that?
And then he says no one can tame the tongue. It is restless, evil, and full of deadly poison. Also it is hypocritical: you worship God and destroy people with the same tongue.
God takes your words seriously. Do you? Do you really?
Pray with me: Dear God, help me to control my tongue. Make me aware when I am using my words for harm. Convict me when I am spreading gossip. Stop me from being angry, hateful, and bitter in my speech. Help me use my words to bring you glory and to give people grace. Make my words kind, patient, and sensitive. Help me honor you with my words every day. Give me the self-control to hold my tongue, to stop myself when I want to say the wrong thing. And help me when I am alone, because the conversations I have with myself sometimes cultivate and strengthen feelings of anger and revenge. I want to use my words to give you glory. I pray you would “set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, and keep watch over the door of my lips,” as it says in Psalm 141:3. Teach me to listen to you right in the middle of my conversations, so I can stop myself and be more careful with my words. Teach me to control my tongue.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 