Berean Study Bible
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 on fire. 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 an unruly 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 bitter water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
My tongue, your tongue, everyone's tongue, yes all tongues have started many fires. These verses bear repeating, study them!
"8but no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly 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."
Ask yourself WWJD? WWJ say? He would start with; stop gossiping, stop judging and start loving!
When you catch your tongue trying to spark a fire, repent.
If your tongue started a forest fire, first put it out, then repent.
If your tongue started a fire equivalent to the fire in Hell, seek God, put out the Hell-fire and repent.
And if your tongue can't stop starting fires, I think Jesus would tell you it would be better for you to cut out your tongue!
Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.
Get the picture?
Blessings, David
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