The Need for a Tamed Tongue (Part I)

The Bible has many scriptures about the use of tongue, and it gives us instrunctions about the improper use of tongue and the blessing of using our tongue appropriately.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. James 3:7-12

The Bible confirms that our tongue is not easily tamed and that it is easier to tame unruly animals than it is to rein in the tongue. Furthermore, the tongue is very two-faced; it can speak on spiritual matters and at other times speak evil things. The tongue has the potential to burn people and relationships if it remains untamed!

His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; Under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. Psalm 10:7

Nowadays, people have developed unbridled tongues and are not ashamed to use profanity and cursing among themselves or on social media. The movies are full of profanities and many are made with R rating, which gives them the freedom to use cursing as often as possible. Unfortunately, many young people are not bothered by bad language, and they think that it is just a form of expression.

I was a substitute teacher in a freshman class a couple of weeks ago, and the book they were using had profanities in it including one used in conjunction with the name of Jesus. This was very disturbing to me and since the teacher wasn’t there, I sent her an email explaining my concern to her. I told her that we already have enough profanity in our culture and the school should be there to set the standard and the code of conduct for what is appropriate language in society.  She disagreed with my views. She explained that we live in a pluralistic society, and what is unacceptable to some maybe acceptable to others. Furthermore, the educators had decided the literary benefits of this book outweigh the negative affect of profanities!

This is the culture we live in and our children are not protected from it. People have become boastful and proud, and they don’t seem to have a regard for God or respect for people. We live in dangerous times and our tongue could create a hostile and volatile environment resulting in division and breakdown of our communities and society. 

It is important to be vigilant with our tongue and not allow any unwholesome words to come out of it. As believers, we have other ways of dealing with our frustration and anger. We can go to the Lord and pray about them and cast our cares on Him. It is not necessary to spew out evil in the name of being real or the need for venting. Let’s be mindful of our tongue this week and ask the Lord to give us self-control to not use it in a harmful and evil way.