The tongue is a world of evil among the parts of the body says James 3:6 and set on fire by hell. Tell us what you really think, James! Okay. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison, he says. The power of the tongue–the words we speak–is unequivocally proclaimed. It is a very small part of the body but like a rudder of a great ship it determines the direction and destination of the whole body.
With our tongues we can praise or curse, encourage or dishearten, build up or tear down. Thank goodness the evil power of the tongue can be turned for good but not by human effort. It is, according to James, untameable. But what is impossible with humankind is possible with God. By the power of the Holy Spirit the tongue can praise God, encourage others, and build up the body of Christ. It requires serious discipline and submission to the Spirit of God hour by hour. Words slip out so quickly and we cannot take them back. When it doubt, don’t let it slip out. Think before you speak. If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. We all know the sayings. It is practicing and living them out that is so hard.