Taming the Tongue through Spiritual Discipline and Self-Control
The concept of "taming the tongue" in Christian thought emphasizes the spiritual discipline and self-control required to manage one's speech. This idea is deeply rooted in biblical wisdom literature and further developed in the New Testament. The Psalmist declares, "I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me" [1]. This highlights a conscious effort to guard one's words.
Proverbs frequently addresses the power of the tongue, noting that "Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles" [2]. Conversely, "A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit" [3]. Matthew Henry, commenting on Proverbs 21:23, states that keeping one's soul from perplexities requires guarding the "door of their lips," ensuring no forbidden words are uttered [7]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Proverbs 10:19 observes that extensive speech often carries the risk of sin, underscoring the wisdom in restraining the tongue [9].
The New Testament, particularly the Epistle of James, elaborates on the difficulty and importance of controlling the tongue. James 3:8 famously states, "no one can tame the tongue" [6]. John Gill interprets this to mean that neither one's own tongue nor the tongues of others can be fully controlled by human effort alone, as pride, passion, or other internal lusts can lead to sinful speech [5]. The Tyndale House Commentary on James 3:8 suggests that the tongue's capacity for evil is so profound, possibly motivated by hell itself, that it cannot be tamed by mere human strength [6].
The ability to control one's speech is often presented as a mark of wisdom and spiritual maturity. The Tyndale House Commentary on Proverbs 13:3 links having control of the tongue directly to demonstrating wisdom [4]. Similarly, controlling anger, which often manifests through speech, is also seen as a sign of wisdom [10]. This self-control extends beyond just the tongue to the entire body, bringing honor from both people and God [8]. The discipline of keeping one's tongue from evil involves refraining from cursing, reviling others, and obscene language [11].
Sources
- Psalms “Psalms 39:1 (BBE) — I said, I will give attention to my ways, so that my tongue may do no wrong; I will keep my mouth under control, while the sinner is before me.”
- Proverbs “Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. -- Proverbs 21:23”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 15:4 (BSB) — A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 13:3: 13:3 Having control of the tongue demonstrates wisdom (see Jas 3:1-12).”
- James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 3:8: But the tongue can no man tame,.... Either his own, or others; not his own, for the man that has the greatest guard upon himself, his words and actions; yet, what through pride or passion, or one lust or another in his heart, at one time or another, bolts out vain, idle, angry, and sinful words: and he that does not may be set down for a perfect man indeed: nor can he tame or restrain the tongues of others from detraction, calumnies, backbitings, and whisperings; who say, their lips are their own, and who is Lord over us? no man can, by his own power and strength, tame ”
- James (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on James 3:8: 3:8 no one can tame the tongue: The tongue has an astonishing capacity for committing evil. If its evil is motivated by hell (3:6), it certainly cannot be tamed by mere human effort. • full of deadly poison: This might allude to the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3:1), who is identified with the devil (Rev 20:2).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 21:23: Note, 1. It is our great concern to keep our souls from straits, being entangled in snares and perplexities, and disquieted with troubles, that we may preserve the possession and enjoyment of ourselves and that our souls may be in frame for the service of God. 2. Those that would keep their souls must keep a watch before the door of their lips, must keep the mouth by temperance, that no forbidden fruit go into it, no stolen waters, that nothing be eaten or drunk to excess; they must keep the tongue also, that no forbidden word go out of the door of the lips, no”
- 1 Thessalonians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Thessalonians 4:4: 4:4 will control his own body: Self-control brings honor from others (Rom 12:10) and from God (Rom 2:7; 1 Pet 5:4, 6).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 10:19: Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psa 39:1; Jam 1:26).”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 15:18: 15:18 Controlling one’s anger is a sign of wisdom (see also Jas 1:19-20).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 34:13: Keep thy tongue from evil,.... This, and what follows in this verse and Psa 34:14, point at the things wherein the fear of God shows itself; and suggest, that those who have it, and which is known by these fruits, shall enjoy the desirable and good days before mentioned. The tongue is an instrument of much evil, an unruly member, and needs restraint; and it is from evil, and not from good, it is to be kept; from evil speaking of God, from cursing and swearing; from evil speaking of men, reproaching and reviling them; from filthy speaking, from all obscene and unchast”