A Holy Tongue: How to Prevent Foot in Mouth Disease

James 3:1-12

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² 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. ³ If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. ⁴ 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. ⁵ So 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! ⁶ 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. ⁷ For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰ From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. ¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? ¹² Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

1. My tongue matters to God.

• 6:2-3: if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
  caught in the words of your mouth,
  ³ then do this, my son, and save yourself,
  for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
  go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
• 10:19: When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
  but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
• 12:18-19: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
  but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
  ¹⁹ Truthful lips endure forever,
  but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
• 16:24: Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
  sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
• 17:4: An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
  and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
• Proverbs 18:13: The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.”
• 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
  and those who love it will eat its fruits.
• 29:20: Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

2. My tongue is far bigger than I see.

3. My tongue is a monster that I can’t tame.

4. My tongue problem is a heart problem for which Jesus came.

How do I change my words? 

1. Recognize and admit there is a problem.
2. See that word problems are heart problems.
3. Repent of the way in which words are used and the desires behind the words.
4. Put off speaking in ways that dishonor God.
5. Actively practice speaking in ways that build others up and glorify God.
6. Fill your mind with what is good, pure, and true (Phil. 4:8).
7. Remove sinful influences (media, etc) that fill your mind and thoughts with evil.
8. Pursue the grace of Jesus for the help you need to change, believing he will help you.