The Terrifying Power of the Tongue
The Terrifying Power of the Tongue
According to Scripture, what is the strongest and deadliest muscle of the body? What can inflict the greatest amount of pain, or even devastate the Church of Jesus Christ? You might suspect the thigh muscles or the biceps, but the Bible actually tells us that the tongue is the most terrifying muscle of all. With our tongues we can ruin people's reputations, pulverize any sense of personal dignity, and shatter life-long friendships.
The apostle James goes so far as to say that the use of the tongue is the mark of genuine religion. If we cannot control our tongues, there is serious doubt about the sincerity of our faith. James compares the tongue to a small rudder which steers a large ship, a flame which can set a field afire, and a sword which can cut down and destroy (James 3:2-6).
If we read James 3 carefully, we'll notice several ways in which the Apostle speaks of the tongue:
The Intrinsic Power of the Tongue:⤒🔗
Although it appears to be a small and insignificant part of the human body (one person referred to it as a "two ounce slab of mucous membrane,") the tongue possesses great potential for both good and evil. At one extreme, political dictators like Adolf Hitler have mesmerized entire nations with a steady stream of propaganda.
At the other extreme, the Lord has used the tongues of men like George Whitefield to bring about widespread religious revivals. Audiences of 100,000 were not uncommon during the evangelist's sermons, attracting such unlikely people as Benjamin Franklin. Popular legend has it that Whitefield's appeals for money to support his orphanage were so effective that the habitually tight-fisted Franklin would empty his pockets before he attended the revival meetings. Audiences claimed that the mere pronunciation of the word "Mesopotamia" would move people to tears.
The Destructive Power of the Tongue:←⤒🔗
James writes, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell." (James 3:6) Raging forest fires which last for weeks and destroy millions of dollars worth of property are often set off by a small spark or a careless camper. The same can be said for the tongue. A seemingly harmless comment, casual gossip over the phone, and half-truths have wrecked countless lives. Like a pile of leaves thrown into the wind, gossip, innuendo, and slander are easily strewn about, but almost impossible to retrieve.
The Uncontrollable Power of the Tongue:←⤒🔗
James refers to the tongue as an "unruly evil, full of deadly poison." (James 3:8)
Anyone who works with nuclear energy or toxic chemicals knows the kinds of precautions which must be taken to prevent any form of contamination. Specialized clothing must be worn; detailed procedures must be followed with pinpoint accuracy. To this very day, suspicious kings and dictators have servants at their disposal who sample their master's food just in case anyone dared to poison it. Yet when it comes to the deadly poison of the tongue, we are just as careless as a man juggling beakers of sulfuric acid.
The Revealing Power of the Tongue:←⤒🔗
The same tongue which can sing God's praises on the Lord's Day is often the same tongue which spews out the vile filth of profanity during the rest of the week. Sometimes we use the common retort: "Do you eat with that mouth?" but we know all too well that the same question could be asked of us. James compares the mouth to a well. Fresh water can't be drawn from a salt water sea, and neither can salt water from a fresh water well. In the same way, our mouths reveal the depths of our heart. Indulging in lies, gossip, and other violations of the ninth commandment reveal a heart of unbelief and rebellion against the Lord.
So how do we combat the restless evil of the tongue? Our only hope, according to Scripture, is the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.
In a booklet entitled "A Moral Checkup for Your Mouth," the late Dr. Greg Bahnsen offers the following insight:
The outworking of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work is not as vague or mystical as many well-meaning Christians imagine. It can be seen in very definite ways in our conduct –particularly the ways we use our mouths... Reforming the way we use our words, then, is a key to sanctification. The mouth is so troublesome and sinful that, if it can be made more holy, so can other areas of our conduct. If Christian morality were more evident here, God would surely receive greater glory – not only among us, but also through us before the world.
Or to quote the prayer of Psalm 141:3: "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" (ESV)
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