Taming the Tongue

In 1996, an NYU experiment exposed two groups of people to different sets of words. One group received words associated with old age and slowness, while the other received words connected to youth and energy. When the participants left the lab, the second group behaved more energetically than the first, simply because of the words they had seen.

James emphasises that words alone aren’t enough to prove our faith. Yet he also acknowledges how powerful words truly are. What we say can build people up or tear them down. Our words both reflect and shape our thoughts and actions, and people judge us by what comes out of our mouths.

Because of this, taming the tongue is a major part of the inner transformation required to follow Jesus. Many of us try to overcome sin through sheer willpower, but it rarely works. Our bodies naturally drift toward sin even when our spirits want to do what is right (James 3:1-2).

Controlling your tongue is a way to steer your body away from sin and back toward God. James compares it to a bit in a horse’s mouth. You can’t overpower a horse by force, but by controlling its mouth, you can guide the entire animal (James 3:3). In the same way, controlling our speech helps direct our hearts and minds toward what is good, allowing our words to build God’s Kingdom instead of tearing others down.

No one will perfectly tame their tongue, but we still have to try. Our words can both bless and wound, and our hearts naturally lean one way or the other. With Jesus, there is ultimately no middle ground (James 3:9-12). So let your next act of faith be learning to control your tongue and letting your words guide you back toward God.

Watch the full sermon here.