James 3…Controlling the Tongue

James 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Controlling the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,² for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says,^[a] he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.^[b]

³ Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.^{[c] 4} And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵ So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. ⁶ And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.

⁷ Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, ⁸ but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ We praise our^[d] Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ¹⁰ Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. ¹¹ Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? ¹² Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

The Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.