James 3-But no man can tame the tongue!

Why is human nature like this? 

You see a brother or sister sinning, you pray about the situation, you sleep on it.

The Lord prods you to say something.

You gently rebuke them in love, they get angry and lash out. 

Darts come from the tongue and sparks spit from the lips! 

Say it isn’t so! 

Fiery jokes come forth with stinging words that penetrate the soul, you cry inside and wish you kept your gentle rebuke to yourself. 

But if the Lord moved you to say something, aren’t you better off for following the Lords prodding?

OR should you have not said a word and continued to watch a brother or sister sin?

I am reminded of James 3.....but no man can tame the tongue!

James 3

Taming the Tongue

1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We 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.

3When we put bits into the mouths of the horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. 4Consider 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.

5In 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. 6The 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.

7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! 11Can both fresh water and salt water flowfrom the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

All you can do is pray for them and let the Lord work on their heart.

Blessings, David