James says, “1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many
ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says,
he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one * can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.” James 3:1-12

Teachers are accountable for what they say. Don’t teach false doctrine.
Mature Christians learn to control their tongues. It’s not easy.
The tongue has great power like a rudder on a ship and a bit in the horse’s mouth.
Don’t speak with forked tongue: bless with it. Bless God and bless men.
The Bible makes a big deal about the tongue. Why are words so important? Is free speech a human right? From who and why? Ps 15:2 says, “2He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.”
The tongue is evidence that each person is an individual, free but responsible. Words reveal what?
We will be called to account for our words on Judgment day, Mt 12:36? The next verse says, “for by words you shall be justified and by words you shall be condemned.” Mt 12:37.
Mt. 15:19 Our words reveal the heart and the heart is God’s great concern.
Try not to sin with the tongue. David said, “I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.” Ps. 39:1.
The tongue is powerful?
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.’ Pro. 18:21
Look at James 3:6
Can your words send someone else to hell? Mt 23:15
God will determine if a man’s religion means anything, James 1:26
Lying words come from a lying soul, Jer. 9:3; Jn 8:44
Words tell on us that we don’t love God, Rev 21:8; Mt 10:32-33
Worst of all is to blatantly deny God, Mt 12:31
Good use of the tongue.
The tongue is for confessing truth, Rom 10:14; and for giving thanks to Christ, Heb 13:15.
Christians are always to speak truth, Zech 8:6; Eph 4:25
Words can save, Rom 10:13-15, those who confess Christ are blessed.
————-
Richard Allestree, Government of the Tongue