The tongue is the member of the body that is hard to bridle. It wants to run loose. “Let your words be few” (Ecc 5:2). The words we say cannot be taken back. What we say can add to the problem or create a new one. “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” James 1:26 (NASB). Lord, teach me to be prayerful, patient, thoughtful, and disciplined in my speech.
“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! 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. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” James 3:5-8 (NASB)
From “The Disciples And The Teacher”, by H. Lamar Smith
