James 3:2-10
2Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6And 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. 7People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!
James 3:2-10 · NLT · read the whole chapter ↗
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Context
in chapter 3 James turns to something we all use every day, our words. he starts by admitting that everyone messes up, and the tongue is one of the hardest things to control.
he uses pictures his readers knew well. a small bit in a horse's mouth steers the whole horse. a small rudder turns a huge ship. a tiny spark can burn down a whole forest.
then he points out something strange. the same mouth that praises God on sunday can tear down a person on monday, and that person was made in God's image.
What it means
our words have real power, both to build people up and to hurt them. James wants our words to match the faith we say we have, so the same mouth that worships God also speaks kindly about people.
did you know? Jesus taught that our words come out of what fills our heart. see Luke 6:45.
Think about it
what kind of words have you been putting into the world this week, out loud and online?
Try this
before you send or say something about someone, pause and ask whether you would be okay with them seeing it.
pray: God, guard my mouth and help me use my words to build people up.
talk about it: what is a kind thing someone said to you that you still remember?