No Man Can Tame the Tongue
Introduction. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. (Jas. 3:7-8)
A lion in the jungle, a serpent in the grass, or a killer whale in the sea share common attributes: They can kill in an instant, but they can also be tamed. Their deadly claws, venom, and teeth can be made harmless. Aquariums tame killer whales, circuses tame lions and tigers, and side shows tame poisonous serpents. We are fascinated at the paradox of a deadly animal treated as a pet. Though the predatory nature of animals can be tamed, the human tongue cannot. The charmed serpent will not strike, a man will safely put his head into the lion’s mouth, and a killer whale can be ridden, but the Holy Spirit reveals “no one can tame the tongue!”
No matter how hard we try, our tongue will never be fully bound to our will. The tongue is the embodiment of everything we fear in a serpent. It is a “restless evil and full of deadly poison” and we can never trust or rely on our tongue to do what we expect. Even with the best intentions, careful thought, and self-control, our tongue can still do grave harm.
... Full of Deadly Poison. A serpent’s poison is deadly. Some shut down the nervous system and others attack blood vessels. It is gruesome to watch someone suffocate or bleed to death. All who witness it become terrified of such creatures. No one watches the approach of a cobra or rattlesnake without feeling both fear and dread. Yet the poison of a tongue is more deadly than the vilest serpent. In Eden, the serpent used the tongue’s venom to poison Eve. She believed his lie and “died” (Jn 8:44). It was a deadly poison indeed, not only killing Adam and Eve, but poisoning the creation with a terrible curse that has brought great sorrow and death to all.
Since the power of tongue’s poison is every bit as deadly as the serpent’s venom, we should hold the tongue in as much fear as that of the deadly serpent. God warns that the tongue cannot be tamed or made harmless and has the potential to bring eternal spiritual death. Since we cannot tame it, we must limit its use. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Pr. 10:19-20). “He who has knowledge spares his words” (Pr. 17:27-28). “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Pr. 21:23).
We can never grow out of this danger through maturity. We must always be on guard and always be aware of the danger posed every time we speak. The tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Since no one is safe when talking, we must always be sober, watchful, and careful.
Poison is not the only danger ascribed to the tongue. It is like a razor, a sword, and an arrow. “2 Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit...4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue... 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity, 3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow... 3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. (Ps 52:2, 4; 64:2-3; 140:3)
Again, just as we respect and carefully handle a sharp razor or sword, we must do the same with our words. The tongue can cut deeper than any sword. Lies, deceit, discord, and false witnesses have done far greater damage to lives than a sword, razor, or arrow. “A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends. 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. ... 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Pr. 16:28-29; 26:28).
Conclusion. Since we cannot tame this restless and unpredictable member of our body, God warns us again and again in many different ways to limit its use. If we do not fear it’s restless nature, not only will we harm others, we will defile ourselves. “The things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. (Mt. 15:18)
Whenever we speak, our tongue becomes as a serpent hidden in the grass. Both are a restless evil and both are full of deadly poison. When the tongue is moving, there is always grave danger of defilement or death. No one can tame it. We must learn to fear and respect our tongue with the same fear and respect we do that deadly serpent in the grass.
Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. (Ecc. 5:2)
A lion in the jungle, a serpent in the grass, or a killer whale in the sea share common attributes: They can kill in an instant, but they can also be tamed. Their deadly claws, venom, and teeth can be made harmless. Aquariums tame killer whales, circuses tame lions and tigers, and side shows tame poisonous serpents. We are fascinated at the paradox of a deadly animal treated as a pet. Though the predatory nature of animals can be tamed, the human tongue cannot. The charmed serpent will not strike, a man will safely put his head into the lion’s mouth, and a killer whale can be ridden, but the Holy Spirit reveals “no one can tame the tongue!”
No matter how hard we try, our tongue will never be fully bound to our will. The tongue is the embodiment of everything we fear in a serpent. It is a “restless evil and full of deadly poison” and we can never trust or rely on our tongue to do what we expect. Even with the best intentions, careful thought, and self-control, our tongue can still do grave harm.
... Full of Deadly Poison. A serpent’s poison is deadly. Some shut down the nervous system and others attack blood vessels. It is gruesome to watch someone suffocate or bleed to death. All who witness it become terrified of such creatures. No one watches the approach of a cobra or rattlesnake without feeling both fear and dread. Yet the poison of a tongue is more deadly than the vilest serpent. In Eden, the serpent used the tongue’s venom to poison Eve. She believed his lie and “died” (Jn 8:44). It was a deadly poison indeed, not only killing Adam and Eve, but poisoning the creation with a terrible curse that has brought great sorrow and death to all.
Since the power of tongue’s poison is every bit as deadly as the serpent’s venom, we should hold the tongue in as much fear as that of the deadly serpent. God warns that the tongue cannot be tamed or made harmless and has the potential to bring eternal spiritual death. Since we cannot tame it, we must limit its use. “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Pr. 10:19-20). “He who has knowledge spares his words” (Pr. 17:27-28). “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles” (Pr. 21:23).
We can never grow out of this danger through maturity. We must always be on guard and always be aware of the danger posed every time we speak. The tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Since no one is safe when talking, we must always be sober, watchful, and careful.
Poison is not the only danger ascribed to the tongue. It is like a razor, a sword, and an arrow. “2 Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit...4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue... 2 Hide me from the secret counsel of evildoers, from the tumult of those who do iniquity, 3 Who have sharpened their tongue like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow... 3 They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; poison of a viper is under their lips. (Ps 52:2, 4; 64:2-3; 140:3)
Again, just as we respect and carefully handle a sharp razor or sword, we must do the same with our words. The tongue can cut deeper than any sword. Lies, deceit, discord, and false witnesses have done far greater damage to lives than a sword, razor, or arrow. “A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends. 29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, and leads him in a way that is not good. ... 28 A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin” (Pr. 16:28-29; 26:28).
Conclusion. Since we cannot tame this restless and unpredictable member of our body, God warns us again and again in many different ways to limit its use. If we do not fear it’s restless nature, not only will we harm others, we will defile ourselves. “The things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. (Mt. 15:18)
Whenever we speak, our tongue becomes as a serpent hidden in the grass. Both are a restless evil and both are full of deadly poison. When the tongue is moving, there is always grave danger of defilement or death. No one can tame it. We must learn to fear and respect our tongue with the same fear and respect we do that deadly serpent in the grass.
Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; therefore let your words be few. (Ecc. 5:2)