Self-Control: Controlling the Tongue

James 3:5-10

▶️ The tongue is small, but can be deadly

James uses two illustrations:

→ “big horses” small bits 

→ “big ships” small rudders 

3 Main issues related to our speech 

1. Obscene talk (profanity) 

put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth (Col 3:8).

Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving (Eph 5:4).

2. Gossip and slander

The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body (Prov 18:8).

3. Criticizing and demeaning speech

▶️ The tongue is driven by the heart 

...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks  (Matthew 12:34).

▶️ The tongue should be used for good 

🔹 Praise God 

🔹 Edify others 

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing (1 Thes 5:11). 

🔹 Spread the Good News 

Some good biblical advice

⚡ Eliminate profanity and harmful/hurtful speech

⚡ Look for ways to purposefully build people up 

⚡ Listen more and talk less 

… let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak…” (James 1:19). 

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent (Prov 17:28). 

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few (Eccl 5:2). 

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14). 

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