Taming the Tongue
(Psalms 64:1–10)
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 1Ti 1:7Luk 12:47-481Pe 5:31Co 12:28Mat 23:13Mat 23:8-102Co 5:10Rom 2:20-21 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. Jas 1:26Pro 13:31Pe 3:10Mat 12:37Psa 34:13Jas 3:5-6Pro 20:91Jn 1:8-10
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. Psa 32:9Psa 39:1Jas 1:262Ki 19:28Isa 37:29 Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. Mat 8:24Act 27:14-38Psa 107:25-27Jon 1:4
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. Pro 18:21Jer 9:3-8Pro 12:18Pro 15:2Psa 17:10Psa 73:8-9Psa 12:2-4Psa 52:1-2 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 1 Psa 120:2-3Pro 16:27Mrk 7:15Mat 15:11-20Pro 15:1Mrk 7:20-22Luk 16:24Col 3:8-9
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, Mrk 5:4 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Rom 3:13Psa 140:3Psa 55:21Jas 3:6Psa 57:4Psa 64:3-4Psa 58:4Psa 59:7
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Psa 10:7Gen 1:26-27Isa 29:13Psa 62:4Gen 9:6Psa 59:122Sa 19:21Act 2:26 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! Rom 12:141Pe 3:91Co 3:3Psa 50:16-201Ti 5:13Mic 3:11Gen 20:9Jer 7:4-10 Can both fresh water and salt water 2flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring 3produce fresh water. Luk 6:43-44Mat 12:33Mat 7:16-20Jer 2:21Rom 11:16-18Ezk 47:8-11Isa 5:2-42Ki 2:19-22
The Wisdom from Above
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. Gal 5:23Jas 3:17Mat 5:5Col 3:121Pe 2:12Tit 3:22Ti 2:25Php 1:27 But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Jas 3:161Co 13:4Php 2:31Co 3:3Rom 13:132Co 12:201Pe 2:1-2Php 1:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Jas 3:171Co 3:19Jas 1:171Co 2:14Jhn 3:17Php 3:191Ti 4:12Co 1:12 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice. Jas 3:141Co 3:31Co 14:331Jn 3:12Gal 5:20Gen 11:9Act 19:29
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Gal 5:22-23Pro 2:61Co 13:4-7Jas 3:15Rom 12:9Mat 5:8Jas 1:5Jas 1:17 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness. 4 Mat 5:9Hos 10:12Php 1:11Isa 32:16-17Gal 6:8Pro 11:30Pro 11:18Heb 12:11