The tongue has profound influence upon our existence, which is why we must consider it biblically.

How has speech influenced your life? 

In what ways has it built you up? In what ways has it harmed you?

Your mouth will dictate the whole path of your life.

Taming the Tongue

James 3:1-4 (ESV)

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For 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. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.4Look 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.

Much like a bridle in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a ship, our tongues have the power to direct our ways. 

How have you found this to be true in your life? 

In what ways has speech directed you, for good or bad?

When we learn to use our mouths correctly, we can learn to control those "beasts" that seek to lead us astray from maturity. What beasts are you facing? How do they threaten to turn you aside from a deeper walk with Christ? How can your speech play a role in directing them, like a bridle or rudder?

James 3:5-8 (ESV)

5So 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!6And 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. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

In the first three chapters of the Bible, we see speech profoundly affect our world. God created everything through speech, transferred the created power of speech to Adam, and then Satan brought sin into the world through speech.  Since then, Satan has focused much of his efforts on using our tongues to carry out his agenda of destruction. 

In what ways have you engaged in destructive speech? What was its effect on others? How have you sought forgiveness for your speech?

James 3:9-12 (ESV)

9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Does the way you speak about others affect your current walk with Christ?

How can you challenge others to use God-glorifying speech about themselves?

How can you encourage them in God-glorifying speech toward others?

WATCH YOUR MOUTH!

Our tongues have great power. A careless approach to speech can have catastrophic effects on our lives, our relationships, and our ministry. Even more, it has a tremendous influence on our maturity with Christ. Spend some time considering the way you speak. Ask God to bring to the surface opportunities for repentance and follow Him in bold obedience.