There are three initial illustrations that are used to describe the nature of the tongue in James 3. Interestingly, the first two illustrations are positive in nature. The first, “Indeed we put bits in horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body” (3). The second, “Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires” (4).
Consider the words that precede the illustrations “If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” (2). We most often use the words to illustrate the difficulty of controlling the tongue. And, it is indeed incorrigible. But, when the tongue is controlled, much good can occur. A bit turns the horse, a rudder steers the ship, a righteous tongue change change the world!
This is, of course, what happens when the gospel is preached. “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Romans 1:15-16).
This is why Paul described the preacher as he did. “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” (Romans 10:14-15).
Then there is the third illustration. “See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature and itr is set on fire by hell” (James 3:5-6).
The right description of the tongue when it is not controlled is that of an “unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (8). There is so much evil that can come from a mouth not consecrated to God’s service: angry words, gossip, profanity, cursing, lies, filthiness, hypocrisy. Can you imagine the man who with his mouth blesses “the Father”, but with the next breath curses “men, who have been made in the similitude of God”? (9). May we remain ever vigilant to control what we can’t tame. May we not sin with our tongues!
