As James encourages caution about being a teacher (v1), he is returning to his previous guidance about how it is important to be slow to speak (1 v19). Teachers will be judged more severely because their words will have tremendous influence on the path others take in life. The reality though is that while we may never lead a class in our daily lives we are all teachers.

Controlling the tongue James teaches will mean our whole lives being controlled (v2). A tongue is the most powerful and influential part of the body. James uses the example of the control of a small bit in a horse’s mouth (v3) and a small rudder on a ship (v4) to get across how a little tongue controls the path we take in life.

Are you controlled in your use of your tongue? Are you thoughtful and do you exercise wisdom before you speak? For every word you speak are there many other words you choose wisely not to share? Pray about your use of your tongue and pray for forgiveness where you have used your tongue sinfully.