James 3  - Here James addresses the problem of "the tongue".   James says that we all "stumble in what" we say. The tongue is small, but is as powerful as the rudder on a ship or the bit in a horse's mouth - able to direct our lives... able to set "on fire the course of our life.. "   It can cause a fire greater than a forest fire... ".. set on fire by hell."   It can be poisonous.. with venom like a viper. It is restless.  It is full of evil.  It defiles.  It curses.  It is unable to be tamed. Even when we try to use our tongues to speak good.. evil can still spill out.  James says, "My brethren, these things ought not to be this way." (v10)

 Jesus talked about the same thing.. "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.  The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil.  And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgement. For by you words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned."  ( Matthew 12:33-37)

So, what is the solution?  Wisdom. 

Not earthly wisdom that is bitter and jealous, arrogant, and false.  But, wisdom from above -pure and peaceable, gentle and reasonable, merciful and good. As we have already read  - wisdom that we can ask God for.. believing that He will give it to us when we ask without wavering. Wisdom that we are fully committed to live by.  Wisdom that is sown in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  Wisdom that produces righteousness and "is sown in peace." Wisdom that leads us to walk according to Truth. 

God can tame our tongues.. as we yield to His Spirit.. giving Him the reins. We must let Him fill our hearts with good.. writing on our hearts His law and putting them in our minds as He promised.   We must fill our hearts and minds with the Word of God.. that Word which is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.. " ( Hebrews 4:12) 

Father in heaven,  You have made us and You know us perfectly. You know our shortcomings and failures.  You know what is in our hearts and what has come out of our mouths. Forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  Please pour out Your Holy Spirit into our hearts.. to teach us to abide in Jesus, to remain in Your Word, and to live according to Your Will.  Grant us Your wisdom and fill our hearts with all that is good and right and just, according to Your Word.  We ask these things, as Jesus has instructed us to.. in His Name. that we might bear good fruit, that You will be glorified! Amen.