Take Control of Your Tongue.

Teachers have a high responsibility. They have both the ability and the responsibility to study and know the truth. Moo explains:

Unlike the prophet, who transmitted to the community revelations received from the Lord (cf. 1 Cor. 14:30), the teacher had the task of expounding the truth of the Gospel on the basis of the growing Christian tradition (cf., e.g., 2 Tim. 2:2). The rough equivalent to the rabbi would have meant that a teacher in the early Jewish-Christian Church would have had considerable prestige. Particularly would this have been the case in a society where few people could read and where people in the lower classes had fewer opportunities for advancement in status. We can understand, then, why James might have to admonish believers about seeking too eagerly the role of teacher. Too many were seeking the status of teacher without the necessary moral (and perhaps also intellectual) qualifications. Perhaps, indeed, unfit teachers were a major cause of the bitter partisan spirit (cf. Jas. 3:13-18), quarreling (Jas. 4:1), and unkind, critical speech (Jas. 4:11) that seemed to characterize the community. James therefore begins his admonition about the tongue with a practical illustration of the problem uncontrolled speech can create.

Therefore, because of their position and developed relationships, God holds teachers to a higher standard (cf. Luke 12:47-48) of accountability. Teachers exert influence over trusting students, a relationship that makes the students vulnerable to serious error on the part of the teacher. This strict judgment should restrain teachers from erroneous and careless words. The early Church gave high esteem to the office of teacher (Matt. 5:19; 18:6). Even so, James quickly broadened his perspective beyond teachers to include all Christians.

Like legal testimony in a court, teaching is a highly responsible form of speech, because it transfers the wisdom of character with its content. Thus, James warns his audience not to become teachers on the grounds of a more severe judgment. God expects those with greater authority to meet greater expectations and higher standards (Luke 12:35-48; Heb 13:17).

Save Christ, there is no such thing as a perfect teacher or Christian. Like 1 John 1:8, James makes no exception (Lenski). James was still speaking primarily of teachers here, indicating that teaching some error is unavoidable. Lenski comments saying:

To stumble (iterative present) is figurative for sinning without falling from grace. One stumbles and yet goes forward on the road ... This is James' great confession of sin. It includes far more than sins of teaching or even sins of the tongue.

The strict judgment against unavoidable sin should strongly dissuade many from becoming teachers (or as we may apply it today even to internet bloggers, etc.). James used this point to segue into universally applicable teachings on the use of the tongue. See WCF 6.5; WLC 149; WSC 82.

According to James, a fully developed man does not stumble in what he says. Speech is an indicator of the inner nature of a person, revealing the heart. James’ proverbial saying is not an expectation of perfection, for he acknowledges that we all stumble. Rather, it is an observation that self-control in a person’s speech usually indicates personal discipline in other areas of life. See WCF 6.5; WLC 149.

James used three metaphors from common experience to illustrate his a pinnacle point - that great results can be achieved by small means.

(1) Horses are fantastic powerful animals. The horse is a half-ton or so of raw power, but put a small bridle in his mouth and he can literally be made to dance.

(2) Large ships (like the 276-passenger ship that carried Paul to Rome - cf. Acts 27:37-44) amidst the waves and winds are controlled by an amazingly small rudder.

(3) A small match may catch a forest on fire. The great Chicago Fire of 1871, destroying 17,000 buildings and taking 250 lives, is said to have been caused by Mrs. O'Leary's cow kicking over a lantern as she was being milked.

The tongue is a very small member, but boasts great things. The tongue is endued with great power. The tongue is a small part of the body that is capable both of creating enormous disasters and of providing life-enhancing guidance.

Several examples from everyday life demonstrate the disproportionate power of the tongue for both good and ill. First, James describes how horses are controlled only by small bits. One tiny piece of wood or metal in a horse’s mouth gives us the power to direct their whole bodies. Second, ships…are steered by a very small rudder. Though the tongue is a very small part of the human body, it influences the whole. Finally, because the tongue boasts great things and lies, James compares its destructive power to a fire. Though it starts small, it can grow quickly to burn a forest.

James use of the word "tame" is not speaking of mere domestication, but of subjection (cf. Gen. 1:28). Kistemaker states:

James comes to a conclusion on taming the tongue. With the examples of the horse's bit and the ship's rudder he has shown the skill and capability of man (Jas. 3:3-4). Now he portrays man as ruler in God's creation, for man has been given power to rule over all creatures that walk, fly, crawl, and swim (Gen. 1:26, 28; Psa. 8:6-8).

James uses more examples to illustrate man’s seeming inability to tame his tongue. Ironically, though humans are called to take dominion over all of nature, the tongue remains uncontrollable and full of deadly poison. Perhaps continuing an allusion to the creation and fall narratives in Gen 1-3, James identifies the effects of a lying tongue with the deadly poison of a serpent.

James here applies the foregoing principles to human relationships. His chief concern about controlling the tongue was that those "in Christ" should realize the cursing the image and likeness of God is akin to cursing God himself. See "Human Beings in God's Image: Who Am I?" below. Furthermore, it is entirely unacceptable for someone to make pious claims while ignoring or abusing others, especially those who are weak and helpless. Proper regard for other people as the bearers of God's image will cause us to speak to them with the dignity and honor God has granted them (see 1 John 3:17; 4:8). See the book, "Designed for Dignity: What God Has Made It Possible for You to Be" by Dr. Richard Pratt below.

Continuing his allusion to the creation and fall narratives, James underscores the hypocrisy of using the same tongue both to praise God and to curse men. Because all human beings are made in God’s image and likeness our tongues should be used to honor and love both. The great commandments are rooted in the doctrine of the Imago Dei (image of God).

Compare Matthew 7:16. James is saying that it is inconsistent with a believer's character and identity in Christ to use the tongue for sin.

The tongue was given to be used with dignity, honor, and respect (Matt. 12:35; cf. Prov. 10:20-21). It is meant to proclaim the life-changing message of salvation (Rom. 10:14-15). A fitly spoken word (Prov. 25:11-12; cf. Prov. 15:23) may be applied by the Spirit for sanctification (John 17:17). Words should be used for healing (2 Cor. 7:5-7; Col. 4:6). The tongue has the power of worship (Heb. 13:15). Our tongues are meant for the glory of God in all things (1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11). "Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" (Psa. 34:3). Hughes says:

First, we must ask God to cauterize our lips, confessing as Isaiah did, "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty" (Isaiah 6:5). Then we need to submit to the cleansing touch: "Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for" (Isaiah 6:6, 7). Next we can prepare to serve: "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, Here am I. Send me" (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiahs outline as a spiritual exercise, performed with all ones heart, will work wonders in our lives! Let us all do this today!

Second, hand-in-hand with the first step, there must be an ongoing prayerfulness regarding our tongues regular, detailed prayer. This, coupled with the first step, will work a spiritual miracle.

Third, we must resolve to discipline ourselves regarding the use of the tonguenot to criticize, not to give or receive gossip, not to belittle or demean or falsely flatter, not to lie, not to boast.

The tongue, so tiny, is immensely powerful. Four reporters, good old boys, having a few beers in a Denver bar in 1899 provided the specious spark that ignited the infamous Boxer Rebellion. The tongue is indeed mightier than generals and their armies. It can fuel our lives so they become fiery furnaces, or it can cool our lives with the soothing wind of the Spirit. It can be forged by Hell, or it can be the tool of Heaven.