Taming the Tongue James 3:3-6

[NewCreation435]

James 3:3-6 says
3 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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."

This seems to be one of the hardest lessons for most Christians I know. To stop talking sometimes and think first before opening their mouths. I know it has been for me sometimes. How can we set a guard over our mouths so that we don't speak things we shouldn't, don't participate in gossip and don't use our words to hurt others?

 

[Josiah]

My father speaks of "the fine art of shutting up."

Yup, I'm sure we've all had too many experiences where something bad came tumbling out of our mouths..... and we quickly WISHED we could put it back. Sadly, it's not possible.

 

[Lamb]

James 3:3-6 says
3 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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."

This seems to be one of the hardest lessons for most Christians I know. To stop talking sometimes and think first before opening their mouths. I know it has been for me sometimes. How can we set a guard over our mouths so that we don't speak things we shouldn't, don't participate in gossip and don't use our words to hurt others?

There are times when we can remember to pray first before responding. Ask God to guard our speech and help us to show brotherly love and even to remove hate if there is any in our hearts. If we have friends who enjoy gossiping then spend less time with them.

 

[NewCreation435]

There are times when we can remember to pray first before responding. Ask God to guard our speech and help us to show brotherly love and even to remove hate if there is any in our hearts. If we have friends who enjoy gossiping then spend less time with them.

I think it's easy to fall into the trap of gossip even when there is no hatred. But, I think this passage is about more than that. It is not just not saying bad things, but also using our words to encourage and build up other people and bless them. I find there are also times when I should use my words to encourage someone and I don't. Or tell someone how much I appreciate them and I don't.

 

[Imalive]

Harold Hill has a book on that. He had the most nasty tongue. Ppl in church were often shocked when it spewed venom and then he was sorry, but he couldn't tame it.
He said: the text says no man can tame the tongue. But the Holy Spirit can. Just speak in tongues all day long and no venom can come out.

https://books.google.nl/books?id=Ae...epage&q=harold hill taming the tongue&f=false

 

[Albion]

Or it might be venom but no one would recognize it. :;-D:

(That's a joke)

 

[MoreCoffee]

Maybe a vow of silence would help

 

[MennoSota]

This connects with Paul's dilemma in Romans 7. We find that the things we want to do, we don't do and the things we don't want to do, we do. Who will deliver me from this struggle?
Thanks be to Jesus.

 

[MennoSota]

Maybe a vow of silence would help

When do you intend to take this vow? I'll be there for moral support.

 

[Imalive]

Maybe a vow of silence would help

God shut Zacharias up so he wouldn't talk unbelief.

 

[MoreCoffee]

When do you intend to take this vow? I'll be there for moral support.

Typing is silent

:smirk:

 

[NewCreation435]

Maybe a vow of silence would help

That wouldn't help because then you wouldn't be using your words in a positive way.

 

[MoreCoffee]

That wouldn't help because then you wouldn't be using your words in a positive way.

One could sign positive words

 

[tango]

James 3:3-6 says
3 "When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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."

This seems to be one of the hardest lessons for most Christians I know. To stop talking sometimes and think first before opening their mouths. I know it has been for me sometimes. How can we set a guard over our mouths so that we don't speak things we shouldn't, don't participate in gossip and don't use our words to hurt others?

Personally I don't find gossip to be a big issue, it's just not something I've ever really been interested in. I remember liking a meme years back (long before they were so popular on Faceache) that said "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people".

For me a much bigger issue is speaking when I'm annoyed with something. There are situations where a bit of sarcasm, even somewhat cutting sarcasm, is appropriate but a lot of the time it adds little to the situation.

 

[Andrew]

For me it was cussing, one trip to pentecostal and I completely stopped cussing and speaking rude words its a miracle

 

[NewCreation435]

Personally I don't find gossip to be a big issue, it's just not something I've ever really been interested in. I remember liking a meme years back (long before they were so popular on Faceache) that said "Great minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, small minds discuss people".

For me a much bigger issue is speaking when I'm annoyed with something. There are situations where a bit of sarcasm, even somewhat cutting sarcasm, is appropriate but a lot of the time it adds little to the situation.

I have found I have to limit the amount of time I socialize in the office. I don't want people to think I'm rude, but it is amazing how much people get into other people's business. Fortunately, since my job is community based, I'm not there that much. Maybe an hour or two an day at the most.

 

[Imalive]

For me it was cussing, one trip to pentecostal and I completely stopped cussing and speaking rude words its a miracle

See? It works! Halleluja!! The Holy Spirit controls your tongue and you speak in tongues. That's fabulous!!

 

[Lamb]

I think it's easy to fall into the trap of gossip even when there is no hatred. But, I think this passage is about more than that. It is not just not saying bad things, but also using our words to encourage and build up other people and bless them. I find there are also times when I should use my words to encourage someone and I don't. Or tell someone how much I appreciate them and I don't.

I was just answering the question you asked in the OP

I do believe that at times when there is some sort of law type of command given that there is also a merciful response we could as well. You pointed out about building people up and that is a good example.

There are times when I've encountered some unruly people and I've just made sure I'm extra pleasant to them and sometimes even a small smile helps.

 

[Andrew]

See? It works! Halleluja!! The Holy Spirit controls your tongue and you speak in tongues. That's fabulous!!

A new and pure language

 

[Andrew]

There are times when we can remember to pray first before responding. Ask God to guard our speech and help us to show brotherly love and even to remove hate if there is any in our hearts. If we have friends who enjoy gossiping then spend less time with them.

Before our preacher gives a sermon he prays "Lord anoint these lips of clay"