The Untamable Tongue

James 3:6–8
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Big Claim: No human can tame the tongue.

Fourteen years of marriage has taught me that Carlin and I respond to the seemingly impossible differently. Carlin acknowledges something is impossible and moves on. I want to prove the impossibility wrong. Telling me something is impossible is fuel to make me give my absolute best to overcome it.

James says it is impossible to tame the tongue. He even reminds us that we can tame the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and creatures of the sea, but we cannot tame the tongue.

For some of you, that removes the responsibility of attempting to corral your tongue. If it is impossible, why even struggle with it? This is not the right response. James is not telling us it is impossible in order to excuse us from the endeavor.

James says no person can tame the tongue. As sons and daughters still prone to sin each day, we are not able to perfect our lives—much less our speech. Yet, as in our battle against sin, this does not excuse us to thoughtless living. Through the power of the Holy Spirit within us, we can make strides in our sanctification toward using our tongue in a godly manner.

That is why James has wisely encouraged us to be quick to listen and slow to speak (1:19).
That is why James calls us to be careful about what responsibility we take on (3:1).
That is why James has called us to pray for wisdom (1:5).

While perfection is unattainable, faithful effort empowered by the Holy Spirit is within our grasp.

Will you fight the good fight in the impossible task?
Will you attempt to control your tongue?

Pray:
Psalm 141:3 — Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!