James 3:1-12

My brethren let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

for we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

I.  The DIRECTIVE nature of the tongue. “Indeed we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.”

“Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.”

II. The DESTRUCTIVE nature of the tongue.

1) The tongue is like a FIRE. “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.  See how great a forest a little fire kindles!”

“the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.” 

2) The tongue is like a WILD ANIMAL. “For every kind of beast or bird, or reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.  But no man can tame the tongue.  It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

III. The DECEPTIVE nature of the tongue.

1) A SPRING OF WATER. “With it (the tongue) we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men who have been made in the similitude of God.

“Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?”

“Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

2) A TREE. “Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?  Thus not spring yields both salt water and fresh.”

A born again believer must put his human nature especially his tongue under subjection to the blessed Holy Spirit.