1---Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2---For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3---Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4---Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5---So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6---And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
7---For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8---But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9---With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10---from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11---Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12---Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
No man can tame the tongue without Divine grace and assistance. The apostle does not represent it as impossible, but as extremely difficult. Other sins decay with age, this many times gets worse; we grow more froward and fretful, as natural strength decays, and the days come on in which we have no pleasure. When other sins are tamed and subdued by the infirmities of age, the spirit often grows more tart, nature being drawn down to the dregs, and the words used become more passionate.
That man's tongue confutes itself, which at one time pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to him; and at another time condemns even good men, if they do not use the same words and expressions.
True religion will not admit of contradictions: how many sins would be prevented, if men would always be consistent! Pious and edifying language is the genuine produce of a sanctified heart; and none who understand Christianity, expect to hear curses, lies, boastings, and revilings from a true believer's mouth, any more than they look for the fruit of one tree from another. But facts prove that more professors succeed in bridling their senses and appetites, than in duly restraining their tongues. Then, depending on Divine grace, let us take heed to bless and curse not; and let us aim to be consistent in our words and actions.
I have to look to CHRIST whom was able to KEEP HIS cool no matter what, even though HE did admonish, and correct, HE did NOT lash out, or retaliate with HIS tongue! Seriously, THIS IS an area more than difficult for us, and yet, so imperative!!!
Restraint before speaking is golden, so it seems in THE WAY, and as with most things DIVINE, we struggle, oh we struggle to grasp, then utilize the profound, incontestable soundness therein! *GOD* give us strength, and appropriate knowledge of using the tools before us!!!
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