James - The Power of the Tongue - Part 3

 This message was preached at Word Of Grace Church on November 9th 2025, by Colin. For the audio & video, please click here.  For the worship, please click here. 

The Power of the Tongue: A Call to Spiritual Maturity

Reflections from James 3

The book of James is known for its practical wisdom—truths that don’t just shape what we believe, but how we live. In recent weeks, James 1 and 2 reminded us how God uses suffering to mature us, and how genuine faith expresses itself through works.
This message from James chapter 3 turns our attention to something surprisingly small, yet incredibly powerful: the tongue.

Why Our Words Matter

Scripture places extraordinary weight on speech. From the opening pages of the Bible, God creates with words—“Let there be light.” Words also played a role in the fall, through the serpent’s deceptive conversation with Eve. And salvation itself is tied to confession: “If you confess with your mouth…you will be saved.”

Words are not harmless.
They can wound, heal, build, or destroy. As Proverbs says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Jesus’ own warning is sobering: “People will give an account for every careless word.” Our speech reveals the condition of our heart.

Five Images That Reveal the Power of the Tongue

James uses vivid examples to describe how something so small can wield enormous influence.

1. A Horse’s Bit

A massive animal is controlled by a tiny piece placed in its mouth. Likewise, the tongue can direct the entire course of our lives.

2. A Ship’s Rudder

Even a large ship driven by fierce winds moves wherever the small rudder turns it. Our words work the same way—they steer our relationships, choices, reputation, and destiny.

3. A Spark That Starts a Forest Fire

Just as a single spark can burn thousands of acres, a single careless word can destroy relationships, divide communities, and crush hearts.

4. A World of Poison

James describes the tongue as “a world of unrighteousness,” capable of deadly harm. Every animal on earth can be tamed—but the tongue cannot be tamed by man alone.

5. A Spring That Shouldn’t Produce Bitter and Sweet Water Together

James exposes a painful contradiction: with the same tongue we bless God but curse His image-bearers.
“This should not be,” James says—and we feel the truth of it.

How We Misuse Our Words

James—and the rest of Scripture—names many ways our speech can bring harm:

• Untruths and exaggeration
• Angry, harsh, reactive words
• Fearful, unbelieving speech that discourages others (like the ten spies who spread fear in Israel)
• Gossip, slander, criticism
• Complaining and negativity
• Unforgiving, cutting, or demeaning words (“You’re useless…you’re stupid…”)

Many of us carry scars from words spoken to us. Many of us have also wounded others with our own.

The Hope: The Holy Spirit Can Transform Our Speech

James is clear: Humans cannot tame the tongue—but the Holy Spirit can.
When a person follows Christ, their speech comes under new management.

The goal is not merely to avoid harmful speech. Scripture calls us to intentionally speak words that:

• build up,
• encourage,
• strengthen,
• comfort,
• honor, and
• express love.

Ephesians 4:29 gives a beautiful framework:
“Only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs.”

Imagine marriages, families, workplaces, and churches if every believer practiced this daily.

Blessing Instead of Cursing

Followers of Jesus are called to become people whose words bring life.
Hebrews 3:13 says, “Encourage one another daily.” Not occasionally—daily.

Words that bless include:

• Appreciation: “I’m grateful for you.”
• Encouragement: “You’re not alone—God is with you.”
• Honor and respect within marriage
• Loving words of warmth and affection
• Forgiving words that heal wounds

When we speak this way, our tongues become instruments of God’s grace.

True Spiritual Maturity Starts With the Tongue

James began his letter by listing three signs of authentic spirituality, and the first was control of the tongue.

A mature believer is not someone who knows the most Scripture, speaks the loudest in church, or appears the most gifted—but someone whose speech reflects Christ.

A transformed tongue leads to a transformed life.

A Final Prayer

Lord,
Help us bring our tongues under the control of Your Spirit.
Teach us to refuse gossip, slander, bitterness, anger, and careless speech.
Fill our mouths with words that bless, encourage, strengthen, and honor You.
Make our speech a fountain of life in every place You send us.
Amen.

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.