3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. - James 3:1-12 ESV
Have you ever said something that truly encouraged someone? How did they respond? How did it make you feel? Now think about a time when your words hurt someone. How did that affect them, and how did it affect you?
Our words matter. The tongue is a powerful tool. It has the ability to bring life, but it also has the power to bring death. Proverbs 18:21 highlights this truth: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” James builds on this idea by pointing to small things that wield great influence, like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship.
Though small, the tongue holds great power. It can shape lives, define relationships, and influence our entire being. It can promote goodness or corruption. Speak blessing or harm. It can protect or pervert.
As we dive deeper into the book of James, our hope is to become people who are learning to control our speech. Imagine having perfect control over your words. One day, in eternity with God, we will speak without flaw, with only truth, love, and righteousness. But while we are still here on earth, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to speak life into one another, not death. We are called to encourage, not diminish. We are called to be like Christ in our speech, who spoke with perfect truth, grace, and self-control.
In Christ,
Blake Cox
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life,[a] and set on fire by hell.[b] 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. - James 3:1-12 ESV
Have you ever said something that truly encouraged someone? How did they respond? How did it make you feel? Now think about a time when your words hurt someone. How did that affect them, and how did it affect you?
Our words matter. The tongue is a powerful tool. It has the ability to bring life, but it also has the power to bring death. Proverbs 18:21 highlights this truth: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” James builds on this idea by pointing to small things that wield great influence, like a bit in a horse’s mouth or a rudder on a ship.
Though small, the tongue holds great power. It can shape lives, define relationships, and influence our entire being. It can promote goodness or corruption. Speak blessing or harm. It can protect or pervert.
As we dive deeper into the book of James, our hope is to become people who are learning to control our speech. Imagine having perfect control over your words. One day, in eternity with God, we will speak without flaw, with only truth, love, and righteousness. But while we are still here on earth, we are called to a higher standard. We are called to speak life into one another, not death. We are called to encourage, not diminish. We are called to be like Christ in our speech, who spoke with perfect truth, grace, and self-control.
In Christ,
Blake Cox
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