Three Truths about the Tongue:

1 - The Tongue is Powerful

James 3:3-5a (NLT) – We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

James 3:2b (NLT) – For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

2 - The Tongue is Destructive

James 3:5b-6 (NLT) – But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

James 3:6b (NLT) – …the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

Proverbs 16:27 (ESV) – A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

3 - The Tongue is Double-Minded

James 3:7-8 (NLT) – People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9-12 (NLT) – Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

Proverbs 18:21 (MSG) – Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.