Mouth, Shut Up

Taming the Tongue

How many times have you found yourself in that same spot? Lying in the field of regret and once again hit with the realization that you’ve “oops, I did it again!”? If you have found yourself there this week you’re certainly not alone. I too, have been there this week and I’m certainly not proud of it.

My tongue can tend to get me in a lot of trouble and you would think by the time you hit middle age one would have better control. I admit, that I am a complete failure at times just ask my wife and kids. If it wreaks such havoc, why is taming the tongue so difficult?

I know the scripture and I am certain you do as well. James 3:8-10 says, “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”

As a youngster, I knew the verse very well and always used the excuse that no human can tame the tongue. My mom didn’t see it that way and rightfully so to which my mom would respond by washing my mouth out with soap. It certainly helped for a moment because when ivory is swishing around in your mouth it becomes extremely unpleasant. However, just as the taste of soap left my mouth more words of disgrace would come forth. Once again, I found myself on the other end of a soapy toothbrush.

Words Matter And The Battle Is Real

The battle is real, and it has been a battle for humankind since the beginning of time. It seems those who we are the closest to, get to experience both blessings and words that are nothing short of shameful. We can be kind, and caring, and in the same breath utter harsh words. The challenge is real as is the sin we inflict on ourselves and others.

Who is taming your tongue? We are to tame our tongue, but while the effort may be commendable it isn’t enough. We can only do so much, and in need of Christ to help us. We can’t do it alone and through our sinful nature. Only with Christ can we experience a real change of the tongue.

James knew that it was a real issue otherwise he wouldn’t have spent so much time writing about it. I am certain that James failed in this area too. He was a human just as we are and served Christ who could help him battle the problem of the tongue. We serve the same God and have been given the necessary tools to help us in our daily battle against an untamed tongue.

Are The Words We Speak Helpful or Hurtful

Are the words that I am about to speak helpful or hurtful? If it is the latter, then what on God’s green earth are we doing? We are not only failing ourselves but also who we profess to be. We claim to be Christ’s followers, but our mouth says otherwise. The reality is, that we can’t go at it alone, and only by living a Christ-directed life can we overcome.

We can quickly lose the respect of others and our character can become damaged to the point of looking like a complete imbecile and losing those closest to us.

We can only say sorry for so long before it becomes a ridiculous perpetual cycle in which those on the receiving end can handle no more. Poof!! This is the ugly truth if we continue to sin and live out of our individual resources detached from the unlimited help we find in Christ.

There Is Hope, Overcome We Shall

There is hope in Jesus and we must never give up. There is a river of resources that we find in the Word to be a purveyor of truth. The use of helpful words that lift up, unspoken words when not a single word can assist in a matter, and words of encouragement to those who need to hear it.

Read the Word, meditate on the Word, and live out the Word in your life. Though we may stumble and fall short, stay steady my friend, the Lord will be there able and willing to help. Let’s live it!

James 1:19-20 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”