In James 3:1-12 we read several verses which describe the tongue and the challenges we face as Christians with this obstacle. Verse 2 literally tells us that a person who is in control of his tongue is in control of his entire body.

As I read the passages, I think of the many messes that we get ourselves into simply because of of our mouth and an unrestrained tongue. There are many Christians who would never even consider tasting liquor or going to a strip club, yet they engage in an equally sinful behavior daily – the engagement of an unrestrained tongue.

It can never be counted how many fights were started, hearts were damaged, marriages broken, friendships lost, and lives destroyed because of an unrestrained tongue. Faithful Christians who would never touch other “sinful things” do not think twice about tearing down a fellow Christian with their tongue and time.

This is why the scriptures compare the tongue to a fire (James 3:5-6), because it consumes our potential, damages our reputation, and devours the trust others have in us. In essence, it completely eliminates any witness we would ever hope to have for Christ.

May we consider the ways that we use our tongue. Are we cursing God’s creations in one breath and blessing Him with another (James 3:9-10)? How is our words and tongue being used? May we find this thought a challenge which enables us to quit gossiping, back stabbing, grumbling, complaining, cursing, and destroying. May our words and tongue be used completely for God’s glory in encouraging, exhorting, edifying, witnessing, praising, and proclaiming what is right and just. This is a challenge which should affect all of us in some way because of the daily battle we all should be engaged in with the challenge of “bridling our tongue”.