Go! And Let the Spirit Tame Your Tongue James 3:7-12
James 3:7-12 (NLT): "People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring."
Introduction: The Tongue's Power and Our Great Need
Words matter. In a world full of noise, God calls us to be voices of truth, grace, and love. James reminds us that the tongue—though small—holds immense power. Our words have the capacity to praise God or to curse people. But the reality James presents is sobering: the tongue is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. What a diagnosis!
Today, I want to speak to you on the theme: "Go! And Let the Spirit Tame Your Tongue." Because if we are truly followers of Christ, our speech should reflect His nature, His character, and His grace. The Gospel is not only something we believe; it is something we proclaim—with our mouths and our lives.
1. The Context and Danger of the Untamed Tongue
James 3:7-8, "People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison."
In verses 7-8, James contrasts the taming of wild animals with the failure to tame the tongue. The word "akataschetos" translated as 'restless evil' in James 3:8 means unruly, unstable, uncontrollable. It's used to describe something wild, like an untamed storm.
Historically, Jewish teaching often warned of the power of speech, as Proverbs 18:21 (NLT) reminds us: "The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences."
Words can kill marriages, friendships, churches, and reputations. But they can also give life, healing, encouragement, and hope.
John Piper said: "Words carry eternal weight. You never speak a neutral word. They either heal or they harm."
Our words are not throwaways; they echo in eternity.
A young man once went to a wise teacher and confessed he had spread a rumour. The teacher handed him a feather pillow and told him to scatter the feathers in the wind. Later, he was asked to collect every single feather. "Impossible!" he said. The teacher replied, "So it is with your words. Once released, you cannot take them back."
2. The Hypocrisy of Dual Speech
Lets return to James 3:9-10 (NLT): "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!"
These words reveal a shocking contradiction: we praise God and curse people made in His image.
Theological context matters here, consider Genesis 1:27 (NLT): So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
The Bible declares that all humans are made in the imago Dei — the image of God. When we speak evil of others, we insult the God who made them.
Matthew 12:34 (NLT): "You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say."
"For whatever is in your heart determines what you say."
Jesus taught that the mouth is a mirror of the heart. A heart surrendered to the Spirit speaks truth in love.
Charles Stanley said: "Obedience to God begins in the heart and is often revealed by the tongue."
So, we must ask: what is flowing from our hearts? Bitterness or blessing?
Imagine turning on your kitchen tap expecting clean water, only to be sprayed with mud. You wouldn't just wipe your face; you'd fix the source. Likewise, our speech reveals the condition of our spiritual plumbing.
3. The Source of True Transformation: The Holy Spirit
James says no one can tame the tongue—but friends, as Luke 18:27 (NLT) reminds us "What is impossible for people is possible with God."
How? Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT): "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!."
"Egkrateia" (self-control) speaks of mastery over desires and impulses. The Spirit empowers us to choose words of life.
Tim Keller wrote: "The gospel changes not just what we say, but why we say it. It reorders our motivations."
Yes, when the Spirit fills us, He filters our speech. He transforms us from fountains of bitterness to springs of blessing.
4. The Gospel: The Word Made Flesh and Crucified
Let us not forget the ultimate Word, John 1:1 (NLT): "In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God."
Jesus is the Word made flesh. He never spoke a careless or cruel word. And yet, as recorded in Isaiah 53:7, "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word".
Jesus died not for His sins, but for ours. Our words condemned us, but His Word saved us.
Remember the truth of Romans 10:9 (NLT): "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."
Salvation is proclaimed with the tongue, and believed in the heart. The cross of Christ silences the accuser and gives us new speech.
5. A Call to Repentance and Renewal
If today your words have brought death—repent. If your tongue has been a fire rather than a fountain—surrender. The Holy Spirit stands ready to fill you.
Pray with the Psalmists words from Psalm 141:3 (NLT): "Take control of what I say, O LORD, and guard my lips."
Let that be our daily prayer. The Gospel not only forgives our sinful speech—it transforms it. We are called to Go! And let the Spirit tame our tongues.
Gospel Invitation:
Jesus Christ, the Living Word, came to rescue us from the penalty and power of sin. He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. Through Him, you can be made new. Today, if you do not know Jesus as Lord and Saviour, call on Him. Confess with your mouth. Believe in your heart. Turn from sin and trust in Him alone.
Jesus saves—and Jesus transforms.
Call to Action:
Pray daily for Spirit-led speech.
Refuse gossip, slander, and negativity.
Speak life, truth, and grace.
Apologise when you fail.
Share the Gospel with boldness and love.
Benediction:
May the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Living Word, fill your heart with peace, your lips with praise, and your life with purpose. Go, and speak as one redeemed. Let your words be rivers of living water, flowing with the truth of the Gospel and the grace of God.
Amen.
