Have you ever seen someone riding an ostrich? The idea of it seems ridiculous and would be amusing. Could you control the animal? Could you stay on the bird as it runs wildly about? This is what I imagine James means when he writes that the every creature on earth has been tamed by man but that no man can tame the tongue. I think we could make the ridiculous idea of riding a ostrich, and some have, a reality but as difficult as that task would be nothing compares to control we need over our mouth. Below are verses about controlling the tongue.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 ESV
We Have a Problem
We all have spoken words that have hurt others. Have you ever cursed people under your breath? Or use course language to joke around with others? Personally, I have what I call my driving words. Those are the words that just come out when someone breaks to hard in front and I need to take evasive action. Those are the words right at the edge of my heart waiting for an opportunity. What comes out of my mouth when I stub my toe? We all know James is right that none of us have full control over our tongue.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,[c] these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. James 3:6-12 ESV
Verses about Controlling the Tongue
The book of James is a wisdom book similar to Proverbs. He is communicating a universal truth about human nature that we need to understand to navigate life. So what wisdom can we learn from what James writes?
3 Ways to Stay on Top of the Tongue
What Goes in Must Come Out
But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Matthew 15:18-19 ESV
Evaluate your surroundings. What shows do you watch, what content do you read, and what music do you listen to? Why do you pour evil into your mind and heart daily? Personally, I had to trash most of the music of my youth. If you listen to any of the mainstream music, you are training your heart and your tongue to repeat back those vile descriptions and depraved acts. The same goes for shows with massive amounts of profanity and violence. Those images will just become part of who you are because you have consumed them.
Step one to getting your tongue under control is to cut down on the amount of negative input that you feed your mind.
Stay Focused on Good Things
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9 ESV
If you are cutting back on depraved inputs because those depraved ideas will come back out of your mouth then in the same way you need to amp up the amount of godly input so those will be more likely to spring from your heart, mind, and tongue.
Paul tells us to think on things that are true. 2+2=4 is true. The sky is blue that is true. But then he adds all the kinds of true things that we should focus on. Pure, lovely, commendable, excellence, and things worthy of praise. This is the input you need to your mind. Paul tells us to “think about these things.”
Practice Continual Prayer and Mindfulness
Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 ESV
Step 1 you have cut back on garbage input. Step 2 now you are adding healthy input. Now is step 3. Make a choice to be in prayer, thankfulness, and remembering God in everything. This is serious and is a real statement. You can pray all day long. You can give thanks all day long. God wants you to have a mind that is continually turning to him all day long.
What This Looks Like
We have looked at three verses on controlling the tongue but how can this be done? Let me give you an example of a typical day for a normal person.
Wake up: before grabbing a phone or setting feet on the floor. Say the Lord’s prayer. Acknowledge God and thank him for another day.
Breakfast: Thank God for the food you eat. He provided it after all.
Headed to work: Ask God for help on the day. Tell him your burdens and problems. Thank him for being there.
Work: When you hit a problem or an annoying person. In your mind thank him and then ask him for help in that moment.
Home from Work: Give God credit for the day. Thank him. When relaxing consume content that is true, praiseworthy.
Bed: Say your nightly thanks and give God praise.
This outline is framework of someone who is staying on top of the tongue and is someone who is guarding their heart. God encompasses the entire day. When something good pops up. God is thanked. When something bad pops us God is turned to for help. It becomes reflexive over time and as we mature in the faith it becomes more and more powerful.
