…No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

James 3:8-11

If you pay attention to the news of the day, you know that we live in a polarized society with more than a fair amount of hostility present. Language is coarser than even a decade ago and so for the followers of Christ, the message in the verses above is meaningful because of the lasting impression our tongues can make – often in a negative manner, especially when our language is salty.

The tongue is a good indicator in many cases, so is the tongue being tamed? Here’s a list of thoughts that can be helpful to all of us:

Be quick to listen and slow to speak
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 1:19

Bite your tongue more often
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

James 1:26

Refuse to tear other people down
“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another… Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”

James 4:11, 5:9

Speak only what is true
“Above all, my brothers, do not swear-not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No”, no, or you will be condemned.”

James 5:12

Surrender your tongue to God
“but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8)

We cannot tame our tongues without supernatural help, but we need to be committed to the process, don’t you agree?