Lesson 6 | Taming the Tongue

1. Teachers Are Held to Stricter Judgment

James 3:1 — “Not many of you should become teachers… for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

James begins with a sober warning: leadership in the church, particularly teaching, brings higher accountability. Teachers shape others’ theology and spiritual life. If they misuse words or misrepresent truth, they do serious harm (cf. Matthew 12:36–37).

This verse is both a caution and a call for holiness in those who open God’s Word. Teachers must be careful not only in doctrine but also in tone, spirit, and speech. A careless tongue in the pulpit can cause deep wounds.

While the church needs faithful teachers, it doesn’t need many aspiring teachers who lack maturity. This verse encourages humility in leadership and sobriety in the ministry of teaching.

2. The Tongue Is Powerful and Hard to Control

James 3:2–5a — “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man… The tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.”

James teaches that speech is a primary test of spiritual maturity. Everyone stumbles—but the person who can consistently control their words shows deep sanctification. This is not perfection, but spiritual maturity (“teleios” in Greek).

He illustrates the tongue’s influence with two examples: a horse's bit and a ship’s rudder. Both are small but control great power. Similarly, the tongue, though physically small, steers the direction of a person’s life.

This challenges believers to see their speech as spiritually consequential. Words can build up or destroy, guide or mislead. A heart submitted to Christ will bear fruit in how we speak (Proverbs 18:21).

3. The Tongue Can Be Destructive Like Fire

James 3:5b–6 — “The tongue is a fire… a world of unrighteousness… setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.”

James now shifts from the tongue’s power to its danger. Like fire, the tongue can spread destruction quickly. Gossip, slander, boasting, and angry outbursts have burned churches, families, and friendships to the ground.

The phrase “set on fire by hell” (gehenna) links careless speech to demonic influence. Satan loves to divide and destroy—and our mouths can be his favorite tool when we’re not watchful.

James teaches us to treat our words with holy caution. Words are not neutral. Left unchecked, the tongue can be a torch in the hands of a fool (Proverbs 16:27–28).

4. No Human Can Fully Tame the Tongue

James 3:7–8 — “No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

Here James affirms both the reality of sin and the necessity of grace. While we can tame animals, we cannot tame the tongue—not by human willpower alone. It is “restless,” always moving, and when driven by sin, it becomes venomous.

This does not excuse sinful speech, but humbles us. The solution is not silence, but surrender. Only the Spirit can bridle the tongue (Galatians 5:22–23). We need daily dependence on God to speak words of truth and grace.

This point drives us to the gospel. If we are unable to tame our tongues, we must plead for the Spirit’s help. Our tongues will only change when our hearts are renewed (Luke 6:45).

5. Blessing and Cursing Cannot Flow from the Same Spring

James 3:9–12 — “With it we bless our Lord… and with it we curse people… My brothers, these things ought not to be so.”

James ends with a rebuke rooted in spiritual inconsistency. The same tongue that blesses God in worship should not be used to curse fellow image-bearers. Such contradiction exposes a divided heart.

He uses examples from nature: a spring doesn’t produce both fresh and salt water, nor do fig trees grow olives. Likewise, a mouth filled with both praise and poison is unnatural for the believer.

This is a call to integrity and holiness. Our speech should be consistent with our confession. True faith will reshape not just what we say to God, but how we speak about others.