GUARD AND WATCH YOUR TONGUE!

Dear Members in Christ,

Guard and Watch your Tongue!

“But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:8.

What does it mean to “guard and watch your tongue”? We all know what a “tongue” is. It is located in the mouth cavity. It is a muscular organ that aids in chewing, breathing and speaking. It is a small organ but it has big roles and impact on a man’s life. It can build up or destroy a person’s life – self and others!

Proverbs 18:21 states that “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”. Proverbs 12:18 likens the tongue to be “like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.” James 3:6 further highlights that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” 

The Book of James 3:1-12 aptly describes and prescribes the negative and positive roles that a tongue can be used, especially for a Christian, for the glory of God.

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

Many Christian witness have been destroyed by the unbridled and unruly tongue. Many fellow believers have been stumbled, including unbelievers, by the rage of the unruly tongue of a Christian. Thus, to be an effective witness for the Lord Jesus Christ, let all Christians guard and watch the use of their tongues!

The Apostle James said that even if horses and ships can be taught to obey and navigate respectively, there is no reason why a tongue cannot be tamed. There shall be no excuse to justify “This is me, I cannot control my tongue!” James asserted in no uncertain terms that “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity …that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell’. The tongue can be destructive! Therefore brethren, manage and tame your tongue. For the unbridled and unruly tongue can destroy the person and all those around him! Do you desire to be the one who destroys yourself and the surrounding community? Give no further thought nor reason. It is time to learn and take effort to bridle the unruly tongue. Today is the day. Do not wait for tomorrow.

To finally put an end to the stubborn and wicked heart, James further added “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind”. All living creatures can be tamed, why not man’s tongue? Man is made after the image of God. Man should be able to tame his own tongue but he could not because sin dwells in him. However, man can do so if he is saved in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has the power of the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. As a Christian, his desire now is to submit and follow the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in the image of Him. The Lord is loving and filled with humility, patience, gentleness and kindness. He is holy and righteous. God desires man to grow and bear the fruit of the Spirit which is “… love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

A Christian must strive to conform to be more holy and righteous like the Lord Jesus Christ. He must discard his old carnal self and put on the new man so that others may see Christ in him. He must be able to guard and watch his tongue in what he speaks. “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.” Romans 6:12-13. “Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Let not the Lord Jesus Christ be ashamed of us as we declare and bear His name in our daily life and walk with Him. Let us be filled with His Holy Spirit and boldly witness and speak for Him. Let us guard and watch our tongue so that others may not be offended with our behaviour and speech. Let our conversation be filled with grace and love. Let us walk in godly wisdom toward fellow brethren and those that are without. “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Colossians 4:5-6.

James indeed strongly exhorted the brethren to bridle the unruly tongue. The spoken words of a Christian should only be of love and to praise and glorify God. There must not be wicked, evil or toxic words out of the mouth of the believers. James used the water fountain and the fruit tree as analogy: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” Therefore, Christians ought to guard and watch their mouths. Many are able to. There is no excuse for not doing so. Look to God for help. May God have mercy.

Examples of applications: Do not say things that are non-edifying and negatively provoking. Do not use expletives to show your authority and temperament. Do not justify your rage and anger. Do not use toxic words to your children, spouse or anyone in moments of anger. Always guard your mouth. Submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Be useful to God in doing His work.

Always pray and ask God to help in all conversations. Amen.

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng