Tongue Power for God’s Glory | James 3:1-12

James concludes his section on the tongue with a striking reminder: the tongue is not merely a problem to be managed, but a power to be stewarded. He asks, “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water” (James 3:11–12). The point is clear—words will always reveal the true nature of the heart.


The Tongue’s True Purpose
God created speech with a holy purpose. We are to bless Him with our lips, declare His mighty works, and pass His truth from generation to generation. Words are the chosen vessel for the gospel: “How are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Romans 10:14).

But the tongue is not only for evangelism. It is also given for edification. Paul commands, “Encourage one another and build one another up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Words are a tool to strengthen the weak, comfort the weary, and correct the wandering. Used rightly, the tongue becomes an instrument of grace.


The Danger of Misuse
Yet James has shown us how easily the tongue can be misused. Like a rudder, it steers the whole body. Like a spark, it can ignite destruction. Like venom, it can poison relationships and burn down entire churches. Left unchecked, words destroy trust, sow division, and reveal pride.

And here lies the sobering truth: no man can tame the tongue. “It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). Left to our own willpower, the best we can do is mask the problem for a time. But the heart will always betray itself. The tongue simply exposes what lies within.


The Gospel Solution
The hope is not in silence, but in surrender. A surrendered heart produces a surrendered tongue. Only the Holy Spirit can bridle the tongue because only He can transform the heart.
This is why James’ call is not moralistic. He isn’t saying, “Try harder to speak nicely.” He is saying, “Repent. Let your heart be aligned with God so that your speech flows from His Spirit.” A pure spring produces pure water. A fig tree produces figs. A heart transformed by grace produces words of life.


Four Steps Toward Godly Speech

1. Surrender your heart daily – Ask the Lord to align your desires with His.
2. Pray for wisdom – Scripture promises that God gives wisdom generously to those who ask (James 1:5).
3. Meditate before you speak – Filter your thoughts through God’s Word before they leave your lips.
4. Test your words by their purpose – Do they edify? Do they glorify God? If not, they are not worth speaking.

Tongue Power Redeemed
William Perkins put it well: “Let the tongue be ruled by Christ and it shall become a servant of heaven.” That is the vision for our speech. Not that we merely avoid harm, but that our words actively serve the kingdom of God.

A surrendered tongue praises God in worship, encourages the saints, comforts the brokenhearted, and proclaims Christ to the lost. The same tongue that once divided now becomes a fountain of living water.

Christian, examine your words this week. Do they reflect a divided heart, or do they flow from a heart surrendered to Christ? May our speech prove the reality of our faith and magnify the glory of our Lord.