Taming The Tongue - James 3:1-12

Having fleshed out the issue of caring for the helpless in chapter two, James tackles the next application of God’s Law in chapter three, namely taming the tongue. Tongue (glṓssa), as used by James, is not referring to the organ located in one’s mouth. Instead, the term tongue (glṓssa) refers to one’s language or speech. Previously, James stated in James 1:26, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.” The term bridle (chalinagōgéō) means to govern, direct, or restrain. Kurt Richardson states that, “Religion is the external, observable qualities of a life of faith in Christ.” So the question must be asked, “What does a believer’s speech communicate about their life of faith?” Just as Jesus judges one’s faith based upon deeds of compassion, so too He judges faith upon one’s speech (Matthew 12:37).