James now expands on an area he first mentioned in 1:19 and 1:26.  The tongue, our speech, our thinking process that effects what we say are dealt with in this section, which is in three parts:  the responsibility of teachers (vs. 1-2), the powerful influence of the tongue (vs. 3-6), and the perversity of the tongue (vs. 7-12).  If our religion is genuine, it should have a controlling influence over our tongue.

(vs. 1-2) – James’ first concern is toward those who were desiring to become teachers.  Many of the readers of this letter were seeking to be teachers; maybe because of the prestige and respect they would be shown.  Many were not qualified to be teachers by natural ability or by spiritual gift, and so he was warning them to hold back (see also: 1 Tim. 1:7).   He warns them that teachers “will be judged more strictly.”  He also includes himself in the group as a teacher.  A teacher primarily uses the tongue to instruct others and must be careful of what is said as teaching to others.  The tongue has the power to greatly influence.

            James then goes on to say the tongue is the most difficult member of the body to control.  He speaks of sin by saying “we all stumble,” which even includes the believers.  If a person could control their tongue and was “never at fault” in his speech, that person would be perfect and able to control all other areas of his life.  However, as no one is perfect except God alone, we all sin in our speech which includes the thoughts as well.   Since sins of the tongue are hardest to avoid, whoever can control their tongue would also be able to “keep his whole body in check” as well.

(vs. 3-6) – James now illustrates the power of the tongue’s influence.  He mentions how a large animal, a horse, is made to go exactly where we want home to by a small bit in his mouth.  So a man who controls his tongue can control his or her whole being.  He then uses a large ship as an example.  A very small rudder determines the direction of this large vessel.  Despite the size of the ship or the strength of the winds and current, the tiny rudder is able to steer that vessel wherever the pilot desires.  “Likewise” – this word applies the previous two verses’ concepts to the tongue and our whole being.  The tongue is also very small compared to the body.   The tongue is a powerful influence also, and “makes great boasts.”  The tongue can sway many and cause nations to go to war or live in peace with each other.  It can be ether a positive or negative influence.  A small spark starts the devastating destruction of a forest fire; so the small tongue can cause great destruction.

            James now states that the tongue is a fire, a destructive influence, and evil entity among the other parts of the body.  It is “evil.”  There are few sins people commit that do not involve the tongue.  It is both destructive and corrupts the whole being.  James refers to the body as the entire person and the tongue may really be the whole intelligent, communicating mind that uses the tongue as its instrument.  The mind affects the use of the tongue which then “sets the whole course of his life on fire.”  He then tells us that the course of this whole nasty process is the devil.  Our tongue is “set on fire by hell.”

(vs. 7-12) – God created man to subdue the earth and everything in the earth including dominion over the animal kingdom that has been in place ever since.  James is switching gears here a little toward the perversity of the tongue.  Man has exercised dominion over everything in God’s creation except his own life and tongue.  This is due to the fall and can never be resolved except by the indwelling Spirit in a regenerate person.  No one can subdue the tongue by themselves or in their own strength.  However, God can bring it under control by the Holy Spirit in us. 

            James brings to our attention that fellowman is made in the image and likeness of God.  We should not be praising God one minute and cursing man the next.  We are basically cursing God by cursing man.  This cursing of man referred to here grows out of bitterness and hatred.  He again stresses the tongue being the source of such direct opposites as “praise and cursing.”  James is speaking to the church here and addresses “my brothers.”  We (believers) are not exempt from this grave sin.  We have the potential via the Holy Spirit to control the tongue, but we revert to our sinful nature and do not exercise this control.  “This should not be.”  We should be using our mouth to consistently praise God and show love and encouragement to others.