James, the Lord’s half-brother, speaks clearly in his epistle of the relationship between faith and works. It is true that we are saved through faith alone, but James goes on to point out that faith that saves is never alone. In fact, he concludes that “faith without works is dead” (James 1:26) and by implication unprofitable. The essence of his teaching is that faith in Christ does indeed bring forgiveness of sins and a righteousness before God. But this faith brings with it something else – a changed life, i.e. a life characterized by good works.
What better place to begin to show a changed life than with the tongue? James points out that while all offend in many things, “if any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” (James 3:2). A “perfect man” as used here speaks not of sinlessness (for there is no such a one), but rather of spiritual maturity. He gives two examples to demonstrate the power of the tongue though it is a very small member of our body.
First, James points out that a spirited horse is controlled by a small bit in its mouth. With this small bit, the horse’s entire body is turned as desired by the rider. Next he relates how great ships though easily blown about by strong winds are controlled by a very small helm. So is the tongue. It is very small, yet it has great power and because of this power James rightly concludes that the one who does not offend in word is able “to bridle the whole body.” Being able then to control the tongue is indicative of one who is disciplined in all areas of life.
But the tongue cannot be controlled, at least not without the grace of God. James calls the tongue “a fire, a world of iniquity…set on fire of hell” (James 3:6). He goes on to say that while “every kind of beasts, and of birds, and serpents, and of things in the sea…have been tamed by mankind, the tongue can no man tame. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:7-8). I don’t think we need many examples to get the point here. We’ve all been guilty of words said in haste that linger in the hearts of others longer than we could ever wish.
Let me close with this truth. The tongue can no man tame because it speaks of what is in the heart. Solomon observed that “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). Jesus connected the heart to the tongue for he taught “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Jeremiah, the prophet, noted “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:10). The bottom line is we speak from what we are. Only a new heart can change what we are and then rule the tongue.
Saving faith results in the new birth, a new heart, and a changed life! Anything else is a vain religion (James 1:26).
From the Chaplain 