Brush Your Tongue

Many of the “body parts” are mentioned in Scripture, but none refers to the “tongue” quite as much as the New Testament writer, James.

“If any one thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue…this man’s religion is vain”, he says. (James 1:26) And again, just two chapters later, he comments, “The tongue is a little member and boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire”. (James 3:5) He then goes on to say, “The tongue is a fire. The tongue is an unrighteous world among our members, staining the whole body.” He says, “Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no human being can tame the tongue---a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and with it, we curse men.” (James 3:6-9)

Recently, I experienced some dental problems, and along with it, discovered that I had bad breath. The dental work was corrected, but the bad breath continued. What to do? The dentist asked, “Do you brush your tongue? In the grooves of the tongue, bacterial growth can take place”. Strange as it felt, I tried it, and discovered that indeed the tongue can be a “restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

How often do we take to heart the words of James and keep our tongue in discipline to the dictates of Christ’s loving spirit? When was the last time I spoke in anger, or with bitterness, or with scorn or malice? When was the last time I hurt someone needlessly by careless and hurting words? It happens, doesn’t it? Why couldn’t I have made those words helpful? Any reason why words of compliment, or words of encouragement, or words of love might have come from my tongue instead?

Our faith is in vain, James says, if we fail to bridle our tongue, and let it be a power for good rather than something that sets a “dangerous” fire.