Circuses. Acts of various kinds. High-wire acts, trapeze artists, clowns, lion tamers, etc.; all promoted as “The Greatest Show On Earth!” The crowds come. They pay their money to get entertained and wowed. There are “oohs” and “aahs” as one grand act follows another. The audience stands amazed at daring human ability along with the control of even the largest beasts (elephants and horses), the wildest creatures (lions and tigers), and the most deadly (poisonous snakes). However, there is a greater fete we should be eager to witness and be a part of because it is more needful in this life.
James stated. . .
“(7) For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, (8) but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:7-8 ESV)
Perhaps one of the reasons life at times becomes a “circus” is because of this failure on the part of mankind. It seems there has continued to be better success at taming the creatures of this world than the taming of “the beast” that resides within the mouth. Don’t we know the struggle? Have we not each experienced the difficulty of holding the tongue back; keeping it under control? Some use the tongue to bless God while they curse men (James 3:9) and still others use the tongue to curse both. As James admonished, “My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10 ESV)
In all our battles for self-control, this is an important one. Even though we may have the other uses of our body aligned with God’s intended purposes, if we do not tame the tongue, James stated we are “staining the whole body.” (James 3:6 ESV)
What is the key to tightening the reins of the tongue? James stated it in the first chapter when he urged his readers to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” (James 1:19 ESV) With two ears and one tongue, deciding to do twice as much listening as speaking may aid in keeping “the beast” under control. Tamed, the tongue can be as meek (gentle) as the wild stallion brought under control, which incidentally is the background usage of the word “meek”. Let us make the matter of the tongue a focus of daily prayer in seeking God’s help in bringing it under control so that our tongue may keep us out of trouble and become a tool of blessing to those around us. It just may wow them!
Have a great day COURAGEOUSLY CAGING THE CHATTER!
Carl
