Taming the Tongue
By Shauna Leis
“It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell. This is scary! You can tame a tiger, but you can’t tame a tongue – it’s never been done. The tongue runs wild, a wanton killer. With our tongues we bless God our Father, with the same tongue we curse the very men and women he made in his image.”
James 3:5-10 (The Message)
Many years ago, my family went to Walt Disney World for a wonderful time of vacation. Spring that year was very hot and very, very dry. It had not rained for several months prior to us heading down to Florida, and so we knew that the risk of forest fires popping up was extremely high. We had only been there for a few days when we began to hear reports that a forest fire had indeed began. It started when a fluke thunderstorm popped up, and lightning struck near the park. The ground was so dry and lifeless that the spark quickly spread into a roaring fire. Before long, acres of land were engulfed with flames, and smoke started to settle over the land. The Animal Kingdom, our last park to visit had just opened up the previous year and sat precariously close to the forests now engulfed in flames. Soon, the winds carried the smoke over the park. In some areas you could hardly breathe, and visibility was limited to less than a mile. Animal Kingdom soon had to close for the safety of the animals and those visiting.
James, the brother of Jesus, knew how very precious words can be. Used with caution and tempered with love, words can build up others and fill them with encouragement. They can bring warmth and life back into the hearts of those who hear them - just like a campfire on a cool evening. Sparks under control bring these fires to life, too. People just feel comfortable around someone who knows how to fill others up with their words of encouragement and love.
However, like the forest fires in Walt Disney World, words without love and caution can start a blazing inferno that will spread just like a wild fire. An untamed tongue is just like that wild fire – full of careless words, angry words, and thoughtless words – and it tears down anything that stands in its path. Precious friend, I want to confess to you right now that I, too, suffer from an untamed tongue. I do not think sometimes about what effect my words may have on those around me – especially my husband and my children. I get angry at times and tear them down using words that cut to the quick instead of building them up like I am supposed to do. I lose my patience and speak way too sharply for what the situation requires.
What I can tell you though, is that our precious Jesus can tame the tongue in anyone. Jesus was the Word made flesh, and He came and dwelt among us for this very reason – to save us from ourselves. Therefore, Jesus has power over our words and can use them for good instead of for harm. Ask Him today to take authority over your tongue and your words. Even the psalmist understood what a problem this was thousands of years ago, but he knew the right course to take. In Psalm 39:1 he said, “I will watch my ways, and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence.” Precious One, will you trust God to put a muzzle over your mouth and only allow out words that He deems worthy?
Pray with me: Dear God, we know that we are sinful creatures and that we cannot under our own strength control our ways. Our words that come off of our tongues will get us into trouble when we have not fully committed ourselves and all that we are to You. Each day we pray that You will guard all of our conversations and make them glorify You, every word, every paragraph, and every though. All our lives were meant to bring honor to You, Lord, and when our tongues are not tamed by Your Word (Jesus), we realize that we are not bringing You honor. Fill us up with Your Holy Spirit so that we will be convicted each time these untamed tongues let loose and spew sparks that will cause a forest fire. Instead, tame our tongues, and give us words that will spark a precious fire that keeps everyone around us warm and toasty. Lord, we pray all of this in the precious name of Your Son, Jesus Christ!