READ: James 3

Bit for horses, rudder for ships, and the tongue for the mouth, only one is a restless evil by which man can not tame. - Proverbs 13:3

- James 3:1-5 - “...we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. ... 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.”

The tongue is a matchstick; one wrong word can set an entire city ablaze. - Proverbs 18:4

- James 3:5-6 - “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 ... set on fire by hell.”

God designed the tongue to speak truth and life, but by the corruption of sin, it can be used as a weapon of mass destruction. - Proverbs 18:21

- James 3:7-12 - “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, ... 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, 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.”

Those who claim the name of Christ must speak life and healing and are quick to avoid speaking evil. - Proverbs 10:11-12

- James 3:13-18 - “Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. (resembles evil, demon-like) 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, (immaculate) then peaceable, (loving peace) gentle,(fair, mild) open to reason, (easily obeys, compliant) full of mercy (kindness and goodwill) and good fruits, (acts or works that come from the Spirit) impartial (free from prejudice) and sincere. (genuine, no hypocrisy, of good character, no pretense or pride) 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in (the family and others) peace (harmony, tranquility among the brethren) by those who make peace.”