But No Man Can Tame the Tongue!

But No Man Can Tame the Tongue!

Many people have brought much suffering upon themselves because of their tongue, and they have made many resolutions to watch their tongue, but they have not managed to do it.

“Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matt. 12:34.

As we can see, a change of heart has to occur before I can rule over my tongue. Taming a horse is not the same as putting him into a stall, but putting him to useful work is. In this manner we, too, shall use our tongue, for from the heart proceed the issues of life. Whatever dwells there comes out.

Jesus mentions many things that proceed from a man’s heart; among others such as murder, adultery, thefts, and evil thoughts, He also mentions foolishness. If you have the wisdom that is from above, which first of all is pure, you will not speak foolishly. But if you have the wisdom that is earthly, sensual, and demonic, it is impossible for you to tame your tongue so you do not speak foolishly. Jas. 3:13-18.

When someone has said something foolish, he will often say, “That was stupid of me to speak like that; I didn’t mean it; I am not going to say it anymore.” You can hear that he is lacking in true acknowledgment. He would not have spoken like that if he had had goodness in his heart. There will not be a true change without this acknowledgment. People strive with taming their tongue. They can manage to watch themselves for a while, but if they do not have a change of heart, there will be volcanic eruptions after shorter or longer intervals.

“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things . . . .” These are glorious brothers and sisters, and it is our calling to partake of this salvation and this transformation, and for this purpose grace has appeared to all of us. Tit. 2:11-12.