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James the Lord’s brother wasn’t one to mince words. Speaking of the destructive power of the tongue, he writes, “The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things” (James 3:5). Tucked into James’ broader discourse on the dangers of the tongue, this verse reminds us that our words, though seemingly insignificant, have a capacity for immense influence—for both good and evil. Like a tiny rudder that steers a large ship or a small spark that ignites a raging fire, the tongue can wield disproportionate power.
A single ill-spoken word has the potential to destroy reputations, sever relationships, and bring ruin to faithful churches. History itself bears witness to this reality, does it not? False accusations, slanderous words, gossip—these have all destroyed numerous churches and relationships. Sadly, Christians give little thought to the use of our tongues, giving way to careless words. Perhaps James knew well his resurrected brother’s warning: “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36–37). Every careless word—that is frightening. But it should also encourage us to give thought to every word we speak. And as Jesus reminds us, our words are merely a reflection of the heart: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (v. 34). A tongue that gossips, slanders, or boasts is but an indication of an infected heart.
This is why no amount of human effort alone can ultimately reform the tongue. This is why James concludes: “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Education cannot subdue it. Willpower cannot restrain it. Verbal precision is useless if our hearts are defective. The problem, then, is not merely one of speech but of the source from which speech flows: the heart. Our speech, then, is an accurate diagnostic of the heart. Do we give our tongues to speak the truth unseasonably, to a malicious end? Do we lie, slander, whisper, gossip, or flatter? Do we boast and speak too highly of ourselves? Do we unnecessarily discover infirmities in others, raise false rumors, or countenance evil reports (see Westminster Larger Catechism 145)? Such sins serve to remind us that God alone can reform our tongues. They’re full of deadly poison that He alone can withdraw. A heart regenerated by the Spirit of God will produce—gradually—a tongue that is governed by grace.
James’ warning is clear and forthright: left to itself—that is, to its sinful nature—the tongue is an agent of devastation. But under the lordship of Christ and through the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit, the tongue becomes an instrument of grace. The tongue is a restless evil, so be careful how you wield it, dear Christian. Pray that the Spirit will purify your tongue so that you will speak only “whatsoever things are true, honest, lovely, and of good report” (WLC 144).