James 3

This section refers back to James 1:19. “ Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;”

• The power of the tongue
  • The tongue is compared to
    • the manner we control a horse
    • the manner we control a ship
  • The tongue’s power
    • boat
    • can do powerful things
• The evil of the tongue
  • called a world of inquity
  • it can defile
• The lack of control of the tongue
  • no one can tame it
  • has the potential of a deadly poison
  • can both bless and curse

How can we bring the tongue under control?

If we fail to bring our tongues under control, it can produce jealousy, lies against the truth, and disorder.

Wisdom enables us to control it. Wisdom means knowing the truth and applying it. Controling our tongue requires “the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”