After the Revolutionary War, the sword of a famous fighter was given to his son. This sword had been used in many battles and was stained with the blood of dead enemies. When the son received the sword, rather than using it again for war, he used it for clearing land for a home for his wife and children in the wilderness. The weapon of war had become a tool of peace. Today, we are admonished to use our weapon of the tongue for good rather than evil.
James writes that the tongue is a dangerous weapon. He says: For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things (James 3:2-5). It is a mighty weapon but, like the sword, can become a tool of peace. It all depends on how it is used and who uses it.
This apostle feels so strongly about the use of the tongue that he devotes much of his book discussing the dangers of an undisciplined tongue. He then pleads that all Christians be careful what proceeds from their mouths. Let us be careful what we say and remember that the wise man, Solomon, said: Death and life are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). Our prayer should be: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
James 3:6 KJV
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