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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
The concept of taming the tongue is found in James 3 where God declares, through the apostle James, that "no one can tame the tongue" (James 3:8). The lengthy discussion about the tongue in this ch...
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Bruce Lyon
Supporter
The tongue is hard to tame because out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks and unfortunately a lot of what is in our heart's are not in keeping with what we aught to be thinking about or striving for. The more we fill our minds with meditation on the revelation our God has given to us and strive to keep what He has revealed for us to do, our hearts will be filled with that which is good in His sight and our mouths will speak forth that which is righteous in His hearing!
Jay Saunders
Supporter
Life and death are in the power of the tongue but a man who loves it will eat the fruit of his labor or control of it. Yes, it is laborious to tame the tongue. I thank God that I have been able to smile in the face of adversity with renters and neighbors alike. The Lord said that he is our defender. That he will deliver us from a lying tongue. That he is our ever ready help in time of trouble, of our good name and our character if we are innocent, of course. So in this life we have to be like a duck. The water rolls off a duck's back and we have to be the same way in some environments and situations and let insults or criticism just roll off our backs. I have even gone so far as to say, "Quack, quack" to people, who are trying to intimidate me. But my favorite thing to do is smile in the face of adversity. Once one of my new neighbors was making a mountain out of a mole hill and I stood there smiling about 12 inches from him. I said nothing, just smiled while he ranted and raved. Finally he asked me what I was smiling about and I said the joy of Jesus. Because many years ago I would have sucker punched him in the face and kicked him while he laid on the ground until my once violent temper abated. Speaking life into every situation concerning every thing and everybody is a goal to attain. My mom used to say, "If you can't say something nice, say nothing." I can see our savior enduring it all silently so he could purchase our peace. He knew that God was his defender and it was time for him to endure what he did not deserve. So when adversity comes either smile or quack quack right through it. But be prepared to laugh after you quack because I just got done quacking at myself and laughing afterward. Remember these proverbs and smile at adversity. It works. Laughter is a medicine to all the flesh. Proverbs 3:8 4:22 17:22
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
James 3:8 says, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” [emphasis, mine] The reason taming the tongue is so hard is that it is like a fire in that it can "heat things up." See Psalm 39:1, 3. "How it can consume (James 3:5)!: It is like a spark, which, though small, can destroy a great forest. It can be set on fire by hell itself, utterly corrupting and destroying its owner." --Harold Wilmington And the tongue is like a dangerous animal, Jesus' half brother, James, said. --James 3:7. Some animals are poisonous, and some tongues are too. 8. no man —literally, “no one of men”: neither can a man control his neighbor’s, nor even his own tongue. Hence the truth of Jam 3:2 appears. (James 3:2 is a verse I had memorized early in my Christian life). -- James 3:2 says, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” unruly evil —The Greek, implies that it is at once restless and incapable of restraint. Nay, though nature has hedged it in with a double barrier of the lips and teeth, it bursts from its barriers to assail and ruin men [Estius]. deadly —literally, “death-bearing.” So, "Watch your words and hold your tongue; you'll save yourself a lot of grief." Too often we don't do this. Then it's too late! "On a windswept hill in an English country churchyard stands a drab, gray slate tombstone. The quaint stone bears an epitaph not easily seen unless you stoop over and look closely. The faint etchings read: Beneath this stone, a lump of clay, lies Arabella Young, Who on the twenty-fourth of May, began to hold her tongue." Source Unknown
Melissa Nock
Supporter
Because we are human. It reminds us that we have to totally depend on the Lord for our salvation. Jesus makes it very clear about calling someone a fool. He said we would be in danger of hell fire. Reading your Bible out loud everyday, allowing the Word of God to become a seed in your heart will change you. We have to grow out of things sometimes. The Holy Spirit will help and show you how to watch what you say.
Anand Mishra
Supporter
As it is clearly stated, this is because we are human beings. We are guided by the senses, ego, selfish motives, desires, lust, greed, anger and jealousy. It is because people chase worldly things However, the spirit communicates with us. Sometimes the Spirit speaks through individual voices; some hear it as a heavenly voice, and some dismisses it as drunkenness. The lord forces Himself on no one. When we keep our minds focused in the lord, perfect knowledge, and we do righteous things, renouncing the fruit of selfish actions, our senses get subdued. Those who find it difficult to tame their tongue should leave their anger behind, accept the authority of the Lord and practice mediation on the Lord.
Jeffrey Johnson
Supporter
Why is 'taming the tongue' so difficult? Taming the tongue is difficult because Scripture teaches that the tongue reveals the deeper, unruly impulses of the human heart—and those impulses cannot be mastered by human willpower alone - James 3:8 ESV, says plainly: "But the tongue can no man tame; it is a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison." James compares it to a horse's bit and a ship's rudder: tiny parts that steer massive forces. Words can ignite conflict, shape relationships, and alter lives. This outsized influence makes even small slips dangerous. Scripture teaches that the tongue broadcasts what is already in the heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 12:34). Since the heart is naturally disordered, speech follows suit. The tongue's "restless" nature — James calls it restless, meaning it never stops moving. Like the tossing sea, it constantly seeks new outlets—gossip today, harsh criticism tomorrow. This makes control a moment-by-moment challenge. What James Wants Us to Understand. Speech is a spiritual issue — Words reveal character. A transformed heart produces transformed speech. Vigilance must be ongoing — Because the tongue is restless, self-control must be continual. Even long periods of careful speech don't guarantee the next moment. We are accountable for every word — Jesus says we will give account for every idle word (Matthew 12:36). This raises the stakes of daily speech. What This Means Practically James is not saying we are helpless. Instead, he points us toward: Dependence on the Holy Spirit for self-control rather than sheer willpower. Guarding the heart so that speech flows from a purified inner life. Intentional habits of speech—slowing down, pausing before speaking, choosing words that build up. These practices don't tame the tongue in the absolute sense James says is impossible, but they do bring it under increasing submission to God. Cultivating Christlike speech begins with cultivating a Christ-shaped heart. James, Jesus, and Paul all teach that speech is not primarily a mouth problem but a heart problem—so transformation must start from the inside out. Jesus says, "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." So Christlike speech grows as Christ forms your inner life. Practices That Shape Christlike Speech: Saturating the heart with Scripture - Scripture renews the mind and reshapes instincts. When your inner world is filled with God's words, your outer words begin to echo His tone—truthful, gracious, steady, and wise. Letting the Spirit govern your reactions - Christlike speech is a fruit of the Spirit—especially self-control, gentleness, and patience. You cannot "white knuckle" your way into godly speech. You can yield moment by moment to the Spirit's prompting. Cultivating gratitude and praise - A grateful heart produces gracious speech. Praise reorients your inner life away from complaint and toward God's goodness—changing the tone of your everyday words. A Simple Daily Practice - Pray Psalm 19:14 — "Let the words of my mouth…" Ask the Spirit to guard your tongue - Choose one person to encourage today. Small, consistent habits reshape the heart—and the tongue follows.
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