The Untamable Tongue
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What Does James 3:1 Mean?
James 3:1
God's judgment is perfectly fair. In this life, some have better opportunities to develop God's character. Others have greater intelligence or natural abilities. God will apply the principle of "to whom much is given, much is required" with perfect fairness. Teachers of God's way will be held to an even higher standard.
Staff
Basic Doctrines: Eternal Judgment
James 3:1-8
What hope do we have as men if "no man can tame the tongue"? Mothers once washed their children's mouths out with soap for using bad language or expressing verbal disrespect. The entertainment media have made such words part of our households, schools, and workplaces. James' admonishment is not a soap-and-water application or a fatherly reprimand. His statements are blunt instruments: The tongue is as a vicious animal, whose words are capable of causing ultimate destruction, and it is as a creature of such monstrous character that no man can tame it.
As a kid, I loved to play "Cowboys and Indians," and when I heard "no man can tame the tongue," I imagined a tongue running around like a loose calf, with a cowboy on horseback riding frantically, trying to rope it down and tame it. It is a silly scene, but even now when I think about it, how accurately it pictures the feeling of trying to run after my own words and tame them after I have let them loose!
Staff
Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part One)
James 3:1
James begins with a piece of general advice that leads to his main discussion of the use of the tongue. God holds us all accountable for what we have learned as well as how we instruct others. In the various situations of life, we are often both receiving instruction and giving instruction, so he warns that we need to examine ourselves closely and realize that God holds those accountable who would instruct or correct others, whether toward the brethren, our mates, our children, or our friends.
Staff
Are You Sharp-Tongued? (Part One)
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James begins with general advice leading into his main discussion of the tongue's use. God holds everyone accountable for what has been learned and for how others are instructed. Throughout life's situations, people both receive and give instruction, so self-examination is essential, recognizing that God holds accountable those who instruct or correct others—whether toward brethren, mates, children, or friends. God's judgment is perfectly fair. Though some have better opportunities to develop God's character, and others greater intelligence or natural abilities, He applies the principle that to whom much is given, much is required. Teachers of God's way are held to an even higher standard, facing a stricter judgment for how they instruct.