James 3:8: But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3 speaks about how dangerous the tongue (our speech) can be. Like bits in horses’ mouths that guide the entire horse (verse 3), or rudders of ships that guide the entire ship (verse 4), the tongue is a small part of the body, but it has great power (verse 5). The tongue will cause much harm if we are not careful (verse 6).
Consider six specific sins of the tongue:
1) False Teaching – This is the “sin of the tongue” first warned against in James 3. Verse 1 of the chapter says that teachers will receive strict judgment. This implies that false teachers will be judged harshly. While the words of the Gospel teacher are wonderful (Rom. 10:15), the words of the false teacher are destructive (2 Tim. 4:4).
2) Lying – Colossians 3:9 says “don’t lie to one another.” Proverbs 12:22 says “lying lips are abomination to the LORD.” Lying promotes hypocrisy and strife. It must be put away.
3) Gossiping – God rebukes busybodies (2 Thess. 3:11; 1 Tim. 5:13), whisperers (Rom. 1:29), tattlers (1 Tim. 5:13), and talebearers (Prov. 11:13; 20:19). All of these relate to the sin of gossiping. Gossip involves saying things about others behind their backs that are not appropriate. It could involve repeating rumors that may or may not be true. It could involve speaking things about others that are true, but ought not to be repeated. Gossiping is often done as a way of making the gossiper feel better about him or herself. Such is not only selfish, but harmful (cf. Prov. 26:20).
4) Boasting – While some gossip to bring others low, others boast in order to exalt themselves high. Such is foolish. Notice Proverbs 27:2: Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. When we consider how hopeless we are without God, it is evident that we have no reason to boast “except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).
5) Angry Words – The hymn Angry Words, O Let Them Never warns against speaking rash words that damage relationships. The song may remind us of the Scripture, “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). Instead of speaking wrathfully toward someone, the Holy Spirit exhorts “let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (Jas. 1:19).
6) Corrupt Speech – Ephesians 4:29 says “let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 5:4 warns against “foolish talking” and “jesting, which are not appropriate.” Colossians 3:8 says to put away “shameful speaking out of your mouth.”
Corrupt speech could include false teaching, lying, gossiping, boasting, and angry words, but it could also include cursing, taking the Lord’s name in vain, or repeating vulgar and inappropriate jokes…these are not the things that come out of the mouths of those who are focused on serving God.
Words can be a wonderful thing. (Prov. 16:24; 25:11), but when our words are not what they should be, they cause much damage.
May we choose our words wisely and purify our hearts so that they will produce good words (Matt. 12:34-35). May we remember Jesus’ words “that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36-37).
– Michael Hickox