James’ description of the evils of the tongue seems relentlessly gloomy. The small tongue controls the whole person. It is a fire from hell. Unlike nature, it is inconsistent. It cannot be tamed. If all this is true, why should we even try to control the tongue? The answer is found in a brief phrase in 3:8, “No human can tame the tongue.” No man can, but God can. If the tongue is set on fire by hell, Take comfort in knowing that there is One who is greater than hell. One who has triumphed over satan. God alone has the power to subdue the unruly tongue if we will genuinely trust in Him.
