Grace Next Door

James didn’t hold back when he said, “The tongue is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body… full of deadly poison.” (James 3:6, 8). Strong words—but true ones. The same tongue that blesses God in worship can just as quickly tear down a brother or sister in Christ. The same mouth that sings hymns on Sunday can lash out in anger on Monday. And James says, “My brothers, this should not be so.”

Think about how a horse is steered. You put a bit in its mouth, and suddenly this massive animal is controlled by something small. Or take a ship: it’s guided by a tiny rudder compared to its size. In the same way, our whole lives are steered by the little muscle in our mouths. If we don’t get control of our tongue, we won’t get control of our life.

James 3: The Tongue Unleashed

James paints a vivid picture: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” (James 3:9–10). He even compares it to fire—a single spark that can set a whole forest ablaze.

Why is this so serious? Because words carry weight. Words shape atmospheres. Words can build up or destroy. James calls the tongue “restless” and “full of deadly poison” because without the Spirit’s help, we will naturally use it to harm more than to heal.

The Tongue and the Holy Spirit

Here’s a powerful truth: God Himself chose the tongue—the most unruly part of our body—as one of the very first signs that we have been filled with the Holy Spirit. On the Day of Pentecost, the believers “were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” (Acts 2:4).

Why the tongue? Out of all the things God could have chosen to mark His Spirit’s arrival, why speech? Because the tongue is the hardest member to tame. James says no man can control it. Only God can. So when the Spirit fills us and takes over our tongue, it’s proof that the part of us most likely to sin has come under His authority. That’s not an accident—that’s divine design.

When we pray in the Spirit, when we yield our tongue to God, we’re reminded that the Holy Spirit doesn’t just want to dwell in us—He wants to govern us, starting with our words.

Here’s the Truth

Jesus didn’t walk around cussing. His words carried healing, peace, and hope. Ours should too. Paul said blessing and cursing can’t flow from the same mouth, just like fresh water and salt water can’t come from the same spring. Our words are our witness.

Even the so-called “lighter” words—PG-13 language, the SH-word, the A** word—these aren’t harmless fillers. They sound vulgar because they are vulgar. And when we use them, whether in anger or casual conversation, we drag the name of Christ into the mud with us. We can’t talk like the world and still expect to shine as lights in the world.

Pray for Deliverance

If this is your struggle, you don’t have to stay stuck in it. Pray. Fast. Ask God to deliver you from a foul tongue. He can do it. I’ve known men and women—even pastors—who wrestled with salty language. But the Spirit set them free. He can do the same for you.

Because here’s the bigger picture—our calling is higher. We are in the world, but we are not of it. We are set apart. We are ambassadors of Christ. And every word that comes out of our mouth either strengthens that witness or weakens it.

Choose Life with Your Words

When the Spirit is at work in us, we don’t just avoid foul speech—we overflow with words of life. Words that encourage, words that build up, words that shine Christ’s light in dark places. And when people hear that, they don’t just hear us. They hear Him.

So today, choose life. Choose blessing. Choose to let your words carry hope, healing, and the sweet fragrance of Jesus everywhere you go.