Scripture: James 3: 6, 8

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell … But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Scripture Commentary: Ask the Lord for the Strength to Tame Your Tongue

Words are often contradictory and puzzling. At times your words are right and pleasing to God. At other times they are violent and destructive. The tongue exposes aspects of your basic human nature.  It is a powerful weapon.  How hard is it to tame your tongue when irritated or stressed? God made us in his image, but we fell into sin.

Satan uses the tongue to divide people, pitting them against each other. Idle, hateful words can be damaging because they spread destruction quickly. No one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later. The scars will last longer than any apology. Words spoken in a moment of anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. It is better to avoid setting a fire than to go around trying to put it out.

Remember that you are not fighting the tongue’s fire in your own strength, for your strength is not your own if you have given yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ. He will increase your power to monitor and control what you say.  Before you speak, ask the Lord to give you the words.  He will.   Otherwise, satan may give you the words if you don’t ask the Lord to help you.

Let the Holy Spirit remind you of God’s love. Let that love prevent you from reacting in a harmful, hateful manner.

Read the Entire Chapter:
James Chapter 3