James 3:8 No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Tongue is the true reflection of our thoughts. No one accidentally slips out comments, remarks or statements. “You will say and do what you think about the most – Dr. Caroline Leaf.” Unprocessed thoughts cannot form words in our mouth. The mouth and mind work in very close partnership. Our mouth reveals the meditation of our mind. Hence to tame the tongue, our thinking pattern must be brought under control. James clearly states no human strength, will power, rules, regulations or regiment can bring the tongue under control. Only the power of God can discipline our thoughts and tongue.
The gift of speaking and expressing our thoughts is given only to humans. Parrots can repeat what we say but cannot process a thought, understand or express the thoughts in words. The power of speech and expression can be cherished, enjoyed and put to the right use only if we bring it under the subjection of God’s purpose. God has guarded the tongue with the wall of teeth and has locked it behind the door of our lips to give us time to process the thoughts before we blurt out as words. Proverbs 30:32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. Hence to tame our tongue our thoughts must be trained, disciplined and controlled. A controlled mind has a controlled tongue.
Three tips to tame the tongue:
1. Bridle:. Tongue is like the bridle in the mouth of a horse. James 3:3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. The direction of the horse will depend on the hands that is holding and directing the bridle. If our thoughts are angry, bitter or resentful thoughts, then our tongue will be stinging, sarcastic and full of strife. Thoughts are the hands that control the bridle, our tongue. To tame the tongue, we must repent and relinquish poisonous, stinking thinking.
2. Rudder: Tongue is like a rudder of a ship. James 3:4b Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Rudder is hidden at the bottom of the ship to turn the direction of the large vessel. Similarly, traumatic incidents, toxic words, opinions and comments of caretakers, superiors or teachers could control and corrupt our thought pattern and change the course of our life. If our thoughts are defeated, demeaning and debasing our tongue would speak hopeless, depressing and discouraging words. In order to tame the tongue to speak positive, promising and hopeful words we must declutter our mind from scars, scathes and hidden wounds of the past.
3. Wheel: Tongue is like the wheel in the car. Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Reiterating promises will bring health, healing and wellbeing whereas negative, pessimistic and depressing words will derail us from the path of progress. The direction of our life will be determined by the words we speak. To tame the tongue from pessimism we must train our thoughts to be positive, affirmative and constructive.
The trajectory of our life is determine by this boneless muscle of our body! The better we understand the connection between our thoughts and our tongue the easier it would be to tame it.
James 3:5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, I pray that your will transform my thoughts and tame my tongue to think and speak only your thoughts, your plans , your purpose and your promises over my life. Amen
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