Control of the Tongue
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“We all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.”
Having warned us that not many people should become teachers in the church (James 3:1), the Apostle James in today’s passage makes plain that his warning about teachers is an application of his overall concern for sins of the tongue. His real intent is to help us not “stumble in what [we say]” (v. 2).
As we look at James 3:2, let us first note how James is involved and admits he is susceptible to sinful speech. He starts off by saying, “We all stumble in many ways.” James uses "we" to show that he, too, can easily fall into the misdeeds he mentions. His technique here is something that we can all imitate, for in truth none of us (except Jesus) is without sin. Keeping our weaknesses in mind will allow us to be humble when we need to correct sin and assist us in watching over ourselves in such situations so that we are not tempted to evil (see Gal. 6:1).
What we have in common is that we all “stumble in many ways” (James 3:2). The word “stumble” is used for slipping or tripping, so James may have in mind here more minor sins. “Many ways” points to the variety of different kinds of sin that we may commit. James then refers to the rare person who speaks perfectly. James wants us to consider that we all fall short every day in our attempts to obey God’s law and especially that we fall short in the use of our tongue. Even the apparently minor sins that James may have in mind are serious, for they are against God. The point, however, is that we all commit these kinds of transgressions, though often without premeditation or significant malice.
James's statement is very evident. It is so easy to fall into sins of the tongue without thinking about it. In the heat of anger, we lash out with our speech, wounding others. We hear and pass on gossip without a second thought. For many people, curse words serve as adjectives in nearly everything they say. The regularity, ease, and thoughtlessness with which we commit sins of speech demonstrate how difficult it is to control the tongue. Thus, James says that those who do not stumble in what they say are “perfect” and able to bridle—control—their whole bodies (v. 2). “Perfect” does not mean “without sin” but means “complete or mature.” If we can accomplish the difficult task of avoiding sinful speech, we can keep from sinning in other ways as well. (Control of the Tongue)
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Avoiding sinful utterances requires great care. So, if we want to keep holiness in every conversation, we probably want to keep it in all aspects of life. Let us endeavor only to speak the truth in love and to be purposeful about maintaining holiness in what we say.
Key Verses on the Tongue and Words
Proverbs 18:21: "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." This verse underscores the significant impact our words can have on ourselves and others.
James 3:5: "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes powerful boasts. Imagine how a small spark can ignite a vast forest! This illustrates how a few words can lead to significant consequences.
Proverbs 12:18: "The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." This highlights the contrast between harmful and healing words.
Ephesians 4:29: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." This encourages us to speak positively and constructively.
Proverbs 10:11: "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence." This verse emphasizes the life-giving nature of righteous speech.
Colossians 4:6: "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." This encourages thoughtful and gracious communication.
Proverbs 21:23: "Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity." This verse advises caution in our speech to avoid trouble.
Matthew 12:36: "But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken." This serves as a reminder of the accountability we have for our words.
Reflection on the Power of Words
The Bible teaches that our words reflect our hearts and can significantly influence our relationships and the world around us. By being mindful of what we say, we can choose to speak life, encouragement, and truth, aligning our speech with God's love and wisdom. As we navigate our conversations, let us strive to use our tongues to uplift and heal rather than to harm or divide.
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