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STEPS TO TAMING YOUR TONGUE
READ: James 3:7 – 8 | HABIT: Character Formation
Taming is a process by which a wild beast is subdued into adapting and submitting to human control. As James notes,“ all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind”( Jas 3:3:7). But despite mankind’ s success in taming the animal kingdom, there is one wild thing, James says, that we haven’ t been able to subdue and adapt:“ No human can tame the tongue”( v. 8).
While we might never fully tame our tongues, with God’ s help we can learn to use our words in a manner that is increasingly more edifying and Christlike.
In what way does your tongue most often get you in trouble? Look over the following list of verses that address how we are to use our words. Choose two or three verses to memorize and reflect on daily:
Watch what you say and speak only after careful consideration.
“ Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin”( Pr 13:3).
“ Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity”( Pr 21:23).
Sometimes the most becoming speech is silence.
“ Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues”( Pr 17:28).
Seek first to understand what someone is saying before attempting to respond.“ To answer before listening— that is folly and shame”( Pr 18:13).
Be slow to speak your mind.
While we might never fully tame our tongues, with God’ s help we can learn to use our words in a manner that is increasingly more edifying and Christlike.
“ Do you see someone who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for them”( Pr 29:20).
Be wary of making trivial or casual remarks that reflect ungodly attitudes.
“ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken”( Mt 12:36).
Avoid obscenities, profanities and blasphemy; instead, speak words that build up others.