Why You Should Control Your Speech

James 3:1-12 and the Power of the Tongue

James chapter 3 begins by addressing teachers:

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also. Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. Though also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

James emphasizes the harmony that must exist between what we say and what we do. This theme runs throughout the book, especially in chapter 2 with faith and works. Simply claiming faith without action is demonic faith. The tongue must align with our actions.

James teaches that one of the greatest advantages for living valuable lives and glorifying God is controlling our tongues. Yet this passage presents a challenge: verse 2 promises perfection if we do not stumble in speech, but verse 8 declares no human can tame the tongue. Everything said about the tongue is negative—it is a fire, a world of unrighteousness, set on fire by hell, a restless evil full of deadly poison.

Four Serious Considerations

1. Seriously Consider Not Becoming a Teacher

James starts with teachers because of the harmony between speech and behavior. If they do not match, do not teach. It does more harm than good, no matter how sound the doctrine. Even accurate belief without corresponding action is demonic.

Teachers face stricter judgment—"mega judged." Speak and act as those judged by the law of liberty. If your life does not match your profession, refrain from teaching.

This is not about discipling—every disciple should make disciples, observing all Jesus commanded. But informal teaching without harmony disqualifies you.

2. Seriously Consider Trials as an Alternative to Teaching

We all stumble in many ways, but perfection comes to those who do not stumble in speech, able to bridle the whole body. Perfection in James means spiritual maturity, as in chapter 1:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

No human tames the tongue, but God perfects through trials. Mature believers, weathered by adversity, control their speech. Consider trials before teaching—embrace them as in Acts, where believers thanked God for suffering.

3. Seriously Consider How We Talk to One Another

From the same mouth come blessing and cursing—these things ought not to be. We bless God and curse people made in His likeness. Our speech to others reveals spiritual maturity.

Speech impacts God's reputation and the gospel. Use words seasoned with salt, edifying and gospel-reflecting. Avoid crude joking, slurs, or malice, even in jest. Confront sin helpfully, not destructively.

Do not gossip, curse reputations, or retaliate when offended. Why not rather be wronged? Pursue reconciliation, as we have been reconciled to God.

4. Seriously Consider What Kind of Person You Are

A fig tree cannot bear olives; a spring cannot pour fresh and salt water. Your fruit reveals your nature. Drunkards produce drunkenness; merciful people meet needs.

Examine your life against Scripture's examples—Jesus, Paul, Abraham, Rahab, Caleb, Joshua. Match your speech, actions, and fruit to theirs. If incongruent with your profession, change.