James 3:1-12 - Restraining The Tongue
1 BE not many of you teachers, my brothers, knowing that we shall receive a severer judgment. 2 For in many things we all offend; if one offends not in word he is a perfect man, able to keep in subjection also the whole body.
3 But we put bits into the mouths of horses that they may obey us, and direct their whole body; 4 behold also the ships, though of so great size and driven by powerful winds, are directed by a very small helm wherever the will of the pilot chooses; 5 so also the tongue is a small member and boasts of great things. Behold, how much wood a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the tongue is made a world of wickedness among our members, it defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of nature and is set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and birds, and reptiles, and fishes, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race, 8 but the tongue can no man tame; it is a disorderly evil, full of a deadly poison. 9 With it bless we the Lord and Father, and with it curse we men made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceeds a blessing and a curse. My brothers, these things ought not so to be. 11 Does a fountain send forth sweet water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine, figs? So you cannot make salt water sweet.