Much has been said about the power of the tongue and the many fires it can kindle. Nevertheless, I would like to make a humble contribution to bring rays of hope in the heart of the needy.
The testimony of the Scriptures
In the New Testament, as far as the tongue is concerned, James has been the most eloquent writer. Therefore I will take a look to what he presents and draw some logical conclusions from his declaration—a declaration inspired by the Holy Spirit.
Here we have his statement:
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 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 iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by 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 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? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:2–12)
At first glance it seems James’ description leaves us little hope. After all, if the tongue is so bad and cannot be tamed, sooner than later we are doomed to fail while talking. But there are two little phrases found in verse ten which have the potential to encourage our heart and strengthen our spirit. It reads:
Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”
So it seems there is a remedy. Yet the cure cannot consist in taming the tongue because James makes clear that this cannot be done: “But no man can tame the tongue.” But what does he mean by that? I suggest he is simply saying we cannot have our heart going left and our tongue going right. To attempt to dissociate our tongue from our heart will remain a vain pursuit doomed to fail amidst frustration and despair. Jesus expresses it this way:
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
These words declare authoritatively that the tongue simply brings forth what is in the heart, i.e., on its own it cannot bring forth a thing. That is why it cannot be tamed. So when James writes: “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing” (James 3:10), he is referring to an impure heart, a heart hosting two conflicting constituents. No wonder he writes a bit later: “Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (James 4:8).
An absolute law
On the basis of what we have seen we can say: Soon or later the arrogant will speak arrogantly, and the humble will speak humbly. Likewise, soon enough, the fool will speak foolishly and the wise wisely. Similarly, the unjust will speak unjustly, and the just justly. And the list goes on and on. That is why we are exhorted to keep our heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life (Prov. 4:23).
A few scriptural confirmations
We have seen how James exhorts his readers to purify their hearts, for he who has a pure heart has also graceful lips. That is what the author of Proverbs affirms:
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.” (Prov. 22:11 KJV)
Or, as expressed in Green’s Literal Translation: “He who loves pureness of heart, grace is on his lips; the king shall be his friend.” So here we have the correlation between a pure heart and graceful lips. The same truth is expressed in chapter twenty-three:
My son, if your heart is wise, my heart will rejoice—indeed, I myself; yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things.” (Prov.23:15,16)
So here the secret is stated: If you want your lips to speak right things get a wise heart. “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips” (Prov. 16:23). And again, “The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool shall swallow him up” (Ecclesiastes 10:12).
Conclusion
As I stated earlier, to attempt to dissociate our tongue from our heart will remain a vain pursuit doomed to fail, for as James declares, “no man can tame the tongue”. Hence, the person that gives heed to God will keep his heart with all diligence, knowing that from it depends his daily utterance.
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