Taming the Tongue

The tongue is a tool, a small one at that.  But, like any tool, it can be used for good or bad.  Taming our tongues is one of those distinct challenges to Christian growth and sanctification.  James, in his epistle, spends a good deal of time discussing the immense importance that taming the tongue has for believers, especially teachers (James 3).  James describes the tongue in three basic ways: a bridle, a rudder, and a fire.

The tongue as a bridle.  Horses are mighty creatures, capable of remarkable feats of strength and of great endurance.  However, horses, in all their majestic strength, are controlled quite simply by placing the horse's head into a bridle and a bit in its mouth.  Thus a horse can be reined by its master.  Interesting that James would use a bridle as an indication of taming the tongue because, if we are the horses that are bridled, logically, we cannot simultaneously be the rider of the horse.  The master is God, the bridle is His Word.  Bible study and the Holy Spirit are to be the bridle that guides our tongues, taming them to be godly and true.

The tongue as a rudder.  When James describes the tongue as the rudder of a ship, he is rightly giving the tongue its due importance.  Although a ship can be massive and its rudder relatively small, the rudder  guides the ship, turning it to and fro.  In this way, the tongue is not the entirety of the ship but it can serve immensely important purposes.

Think of a ship just off harbor whose rudder chain is detached.  It will not be able to complete its mission.  Moreover, the rudder mechanism must be repaired and, if not done with urgency, the ship raises the risk of running ashore or adrift because it is unable to steer itself.  Similarly, the tongue has usefulness but if not connected properly to the Word and the Holy Spirit, can more often lead to disaster.  In this is it is so important to keep watch over the tongue because it is the wheel that steers the ship of our lives.  God is the one to turns the wheel and steers the ship but if our rudder is damaged or faulty, He cannot very well guide us to our intended courses without serious rudder repair.

The tongue as a fire.  Fire has definite uses.  However, fire has a tendency towards consumption and destruction.  James is quite clear that fire lends itself more towards destruction than building, although this is not fire's intended purpose.  Fire is intended to bring warmth and light to places of cold and darkness.  Similarly, our tongues are meant to bring warmth, healing, and light to a cold and dark world.  We can use our tongues to illuminate and refresh those around us or we can use our tongues to burn and destroy people and relationships.  Our tongues were given to us by the Lord for the former though the latter is our fleshly bent.

Acknowledging the enormous responsibility and power that our tongues yield is overwhelming.  It is a significant challenge to tame the tongue but one commanded by the Scriptures.  The hope is to form good habits that avoid slander, flippancy, insincerity, and rudeness while striving for grace, kindness, and gentleness.  Jesus is our example.  He was kind and gentle even unto death.  Although He often called the unrepentant to the task, He maintained a sense of grace and gentleness throughout.  This should be our intention in taming our tongues: to be honest and honestly gracious.