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In James 3:5-12, James uses a line of argumentation that often frustrates the politically conservative American.  He is warning about the tongue with similar rhetoric to what the politically liberal American uses to argue against guns. “Guns are dangerous”, so therefore “do away with all guns.”  Politically conservative Americans become frustrated knowing that the gun itself is not the problem, it is just a tool that reflects or expresses the heart of the gunbearer.  A gun in the hands of one with a good heart comes good.  A gun in the hands of one with an evil heart comes evil. 

Similarly, the tongue is also a tool without a mind or will of its own.  Thankfully, if one does not think he can handle a firearm responsibly, he has the option of not owning one.  However, we are not afforded the same luxury with tongues.  James does not explicitly indict the heart (which controls the tongue) in this passage, but he will later in the letter.  For now, though, he is driving home the destructive capability of the tongue in the ‘hands’ of our fallen and depraved hearts.

I still believe (and I believe James does too) that the heart is the true root of the problem.  But for now, it is profitable to step back and truly ask yourself what your tongue has been up to.  Sometimes it does feel as though the tongue has a mind of its own.  Words fall out, and we don’t know where they came from or how to stop them.  This week, take a few moments to reflect on the tense situations that happen (because they surely will happen).  Was your tongue used to extinguish or to incite further?  If it was used wrongly, repent.  There cannot, and will not, be any change without repentance.  Ask God to help you be aware in your conversations and to use your tongue for building rather than burning down.