Introduction
Chapter 3 has only one theme, guard what you say. We will be picking up in verse 8 and finish out the chapter.
I Just Can’t Help It
James goes right to the heart of the matter calling the tongue an unruly evil and deadly poison.
As we get to verse 8 we need to ponder what James is saying; he says that we cannot tame the tongue. Let’s stop and let that soak in. Does that mean we can say whatever we want and have an excuse? Let’s step into our next segment and see.
Example Time
If you have gone to the Circus you might have seen the Lion Tamers do their act. Actually you cannot tame a lion so when you work with them you must always be on guard. This is exactly what James is trying to tell us; when talking, don’t let your guard down for a minute. As soon as you lose focus you may say something destructive or hurtful.
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Good and Evil
Verse 9 tells us that if the tongue is left unchecked we can speak kind words and later speak evil words. The key is when we leave the tongue “unchecked”. We have to be careful all the time.
In verse 10 James says that the same mouth is capable of blessing and cursing but he goes on to say it is wrong to speak evil. God is not going to tell us to stop speaking evil unless we have the ability to do so. We have the ability to stop only if we realize that we must think about what we say before we say it. When we find ourselves in a high emotional state it is safer to just stop talking.
Wisdom and Folly
Verse 13: He who guards their words is accounted as wise.
In verses 14-16 James talks about those who do not guard their words. When we allow envy and strife to build up on the inside we are a powder keg that can blow at any minute.
Final Thoughts
Verses 17-18 are for those who have made up their mind to follow God and take great care for what comes out of their mouth. The pattern of their words will promote purity, mercy and peace.
Heavenly Father, grant us restraint to control our emotions, wisdom to choose our words wisely and the focus to be constantly on guard.
Until Night,
A Servant
Servants' Journal 
Vince Chough
January 13, 2014 at 7:57 pm
How hard it can be to reel in that nasty member — especially when it is out of control! What strange power it has… to hurt… and to heal.
A Servant
January 13, 2014 at 8:04 pm
How true my friend.
Sundoulos - A Fellow Servant
January 13, 2014 at 9:32 pm
The tongue betrays often the condition of the heart. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:” (Matthew 15:18, 19 KJV). Great post brother. Love the lion example.
A Servant
January 13, 2014 at 9:37 pm
Thank you brother. Posts on the tongue are not that popular but a necessary part of the Christian diet.
TheGreatPlainsPoet
January 14, 2014 at 8:55 am
A great wake up call for us to keep our tongue by not using it for destruction but for edification of the body of Christ. Great post my brother!!
A Servant
January 14, 2014 at 9:00 am
Thank you. As you know it is a blessing to receive words of encouragement from others.
A Servant
A Servant
January 14, 2014 at 9:02 am
I wanted to also comment on all that snow. It looks so beautiful. Perhaps I wouldn’t think that way if I lived where you live. In Raleigh we get a light skiff maybe once a year.
TheGreatPlainsPoet
January 14, 2014 at 11:26 am
Yep, we are snow bound from November to March and sometimes into April as well. But, I do love the winter. I will be following your blog to see what the Lord is doing through you my brother. May the Lord richly bless you today!.
A Servant
January 14, 2014 at 11:27 am
I am honored my brother. Throw another log on the fire for me.
TheGreatPlainsPoet
January 14, 2014 at 12:21 pm
I believe we Christians need to support each other; especially when they are trying to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the world. If you get the time follow me as well. Let’s band together to get the name of Jesus proclaimed to all the land! God bless and great day.
A Servant
January 14, 2014 at 12:47 pm
It is done! I look forward to reading more of your posts.
A Servant
lessonsbyheart
January 16, 2014 at 4:28 pm
I had the tongue issue figured out…I would have it and both lips pierced, then put one of those barbells through all three. With it cinched down, talking would be impossible. 😉
(Then I realized that I’d probably come up with a work-around.)
What messes we can make with our tongues. Taking back words can be like trying to gather the fluff off a dandelion after we blew them into the air.
\o/
Praising Jesus, The Word!
A Servant
January 16, 2014 at 4:30 pm
Especially when you are not known as the silent type (me)
A Servant
lessonsbyheart
January 16, 2014 at 8:47 pm
🙂
\o/
limbiley
January 16, 2014 at 7:45 pm
The power of the spoken word,if only it was truly realised.
A Servant
January 16, 2014 at 7:52 pm
Although I’ll live a lifetime and still not understand all God has left us I hope to die trying.
A Servant
limbiley
January 16, 2014 at 7:59 pm
The word of God is amazing,you can read the same chapter and verse and a new meaning each day,awesome.
Keep up the tremendous work.
God Bless.