Jesus tames the untameable (1)

Resolving Personal & Spiritual Conflicts

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.There are situations in life which are so wild that they cannot be controlled by mere human power. The unruly human tongue is one of them. James 1:6-8, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

“For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” This passage reveals both man’s dominion and man’s limitations. Human beings have tamed the sea and made it a means of conveyance and a sporting arena. By means of human ingenuity aeroplanes have been designed to fly in the air. Through man’s dominion wild animals have been reduced to entertaining pets.
However, human power has failed to prevail over a little member of the human body called an unruly tongue. Evil speech is the greatest indicator of human imperfection. The ability to govern one’s tongue is, on the other hand, the chief sign of spiritual maturity. It is written in James 3:2, “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and also able to bridle the whole body.” No scripture brings out the power of the human tongue to determine one’s direction in life more than Proverbs 18:21. It reads, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”  It is clear from these scriptures that it is impossible for a human being to tame his or her tongue. The reason being that the tongue is “set on fire of hell” (James 3:6). In other words the tongue is poisoned by the devil so it can be used as an instrument of unrighteousness and death.
Though man will not by sheer human power tame his or her tongue, he or she can tame it by divine power. You will notice that human power is no match for satanic power. Satanic power is only humbled by Christ’s power. So if a human being is to tame a tongue that is poisoned by the devil he or she must of necessity, “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lust of the flesh” (Romans 13:14). Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ is not receiving Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour as we do at the time of our conversion. Receiving Christ at salvation is putting in the Lord Jesus Christ, that is, to allow Him to come and live in your heart. But putting on the Lord Jesus Christ has to do with practicing the lordship of Jesus Christ by submitting your thoughts, plans and movements to Jesus Christ for control, guidance and direction.
It is a fact that character transformation usually takes place many years after one has been saved. You can be saved but still walk the same way you did before salvation. You can be saved but still talk the same way you did prior to conversion. But you would be a true child of child of God because Christ entered into your heart and you got born again. However, as long as self or the flesh is controlling your life your character will remain unchanged.
 Transformation begins to take place the moment you allow the Lord Jesus Christ to control your life.
You could be struggling with relating well with others at work, home, school, church or wherever you spend your time. Normally, the root of your problem is an evil tongue. Evil speaking causes people to shun you. And evil speaking is not about shouting or gossiping but speaking in a way that offends others. What you may not know is that when you speak your words are influenced by the devil to offend others. There is power in speaking; a fool is not known until he or she opens his or her mouth. You can overcome your problem by allowing God’s word and the Holy Spirit to season  your speech with grace. This takes a lot of patience but if you persevere you will end up with a sweet, gentle and quiet tongue and everyone will love to be around you.
When Christ tames your tongue you will “let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
– For feedback call Pastor Mairos on 0772889766 or send e-mail to mairos78@yahoo.co.uk