It's Not Your Big Toe

There is a battle going on within every one of us. It is a battle between what we want to do in our lives and what God wants us to do in our lives. Peter says this I beg you not to surrender to those desires that fight against you.(1Pe 2:11). James warns of the selfish desires that fight to control your body?(James 4:1). Paul tells us, I keep my body under control and make it my slave, so I won't lose out after telling the good news to others (1 Cor 9:27).

If I were to ask you which member of your body troubles you the most, and is most likely to cause you to sin, which member of your body would you name?

I'm sure it would not be your belly button, or your big toe. Which part of your body is the culprit then?

James names one member of the body which is hardest to control, and which effects the whole body. It is only a small member, yet does enormous damage, like a small flame that kindles a huge bush fire. If you can bring this small member under control, you are able to control your whole body, just as a small bit in a horse's mouth is used to control the whole animal, or a small rudder a large ship. The member James refers to is the tongue (James 3:1-12).

James is speaking about our tendency to "stumble in word" (Jamess 3:2). He refers to our difficulty in controlling what we say. The tongue (as an organ of speech) can do untold damage.

The sins of the tongue, the ways in which we can stumble or offend in word, are manifest...

• Gossip (Proverbs 16:28)
• Swearing ( Ephesians 4:29)
• Lying ( Colossians 3:9-10)
• Slander (saying false things to demage someone's reputation) James 4:11
• Boasting (James 4:13-18)
  

...and the list goes on. Jesus warns us about the need to control our tongues.
But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God.

I promise you that on the day of judgment, everyone will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. On that day they will be told that they are either innocent or guilty because of the things they have said.

(Matthew 15:18 12:36-37).