The potential consequences of not controlling your tongue

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a [a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 b]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [c]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [d]nature; and it is set on fire by [e]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [f]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? [g]Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh

James 3 is a chapter from the New Testament of the Bible, specifically found in the Book of James. It focuses on the theme of controlling one's speech and the power of the tongue. The chapter also discusses the importance of wisdom, humility, and the difference between worldly and godly wisdom. He’s hitting a hard one here as everyone has a cancer. That’s called the tongue. 

Most of us have a very difficult time taming this body part, though it is one of  the physically smallest on our person. How often at work, when rumors or gossip start on someone else, do we join in, even many times, giving our own experiences. Or you talk negatively about someone with someone else. We can’t help it, it’s interesting and many times, we don’t even mean to hurt the other person. But we aren’t productive about it either. 

Below is a short summary of this chapter.

Here is a summary of James 3:

1. **Controlling the Tongue:** The chapter begins by emphasizing the significance of controlling one's speech. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it has great potential to do both good and harm. Just as a small bit can control a horse or a small rudder can steer a large ship, the tongue can direct the course of a person's life.

2. **The Power of Speech:** James talks about how the tongue can be both a blessing and a curse. It can be used to praise God and build others up, but it can also be used to hurt, gossip, and deceive. He highlights the inconsistency of using the same mouth for both praising God and cursing people.

3. **Taming the Tongue:** James compares the tongue to a wild animal that is difficult to tame. He mentions that while people can tame various animals, the tongue seems to be uncontrollable and full of unruly evil. He stresses that a person who can control their tongue is mature and has the ability to control their entire life.

4. **The Source of Speech:** James discusses the source of speech, pointing out that both blessings and curses come from the same mouth. He uses the metaphor of a spring producing fresh and bitter water, indicating that our words reveal what is in our hearts.

5. **Wisdom and Humility:** The chapter goes on to talk about wisdom. There are two types of wisdom: earthly wisdom, which is characterized by jealousy, selfishness, and disorder, and heavenly wisdom, which is characterized by purity, peace, and humility. James emphasizes the importance of seeking godly wisdom.

6. **Fruit of Righteousness:** Those who embrace godly wisdom will produce good fruit and sow seeds of peace. They will act with gentleness, reason, and fairness, working towards righteousness.

7. **Conflict and Quarrels:** James addresses the issue of conflicts and quarrels among believers. He attributes such conflicts to uncontrolled desires and selfish motives, suggesting that these stem from the absence of true wisdom.

8. **Conclusion:** The chapter concludes with an encouragement to pursue peace and righteousness. James encourages believers to be slow to anger, quick to listen, and slow to speak. He reminds them that true wisdom comes from God and leads to a life that bears good fruit and promotes harmony.

In summary, James 3 emphasizes the importance of controlling one's speech, the power of the tongue, the distinction between worldly and godly wisdom, and the connection between the heart and our words. It offers practical advice for living a life marked by humility, wisdom, and peaceful interactions with others.