1. Who can TAME the TERRIBLE TONGUE? (James 3:1-8)

“My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2For 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. 3Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4Behold 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. 5Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6And 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. 7For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

Did you notice the illustration James uses with the horse and bridle? Have you ever tried to ride a horse without a bridle? One time as a teenager, I jumped on a horse without a bridle and he took off running…..I was hanging on for dear life – with no ability to stop him – until eventually when it became impossible to hold on, I fell off and hit the ground! Lesson learned… Don’t get on a horse without a way to control him!!

So it is with taming the terrible tongue. If God the Holy Spirit does not put His bridle on our tongue, it will run WILD!

Did you notice the illustration James uses with the ship and rudder? The same principle applies with the tongue. Neither can be consistently controlled without a “CONTROLLER”!

2. How can the “TERRIBLE TONGUE be TAMED”? (James 3:9-12)

“9Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

Check out the difference in Good words & Bad words: 

• “16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” (Prov 6:16-19)
• “The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.” (Prov 10:31)
• “23He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” (Prov 28:23)
• “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” (Prov 15:4)
• “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” (Prov 31:26)
• “172My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” (Prov 119:172)

Are you discovering “Bad Words” coming out of your mouth? It could be an indication our heart needs to be cleaned up!

Jesus said,

Conclusion: Unless the TERRIBLE TONGUE is TAMED, it will “ABUSE,” be “MISUSED,” and not be “USED” for the glory of our Lord. But when our tongue comes under the authority of the WORD of God and is under the Control of the SPIRIT of God, then we can speak BLESSINGS by the POWER of God!