James 1:26
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.
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James cuts right to the chase—getting right to the point, not wasting any time—and hits the nail right on the head with his statement here today. He says that a man or woman who cannot control what they say is fooling themselves if they think they have any real relationship with God! Death and life are in the power of the tongue as it says in Proverbs {Pro.18:21} and as James will state a bit further on in this letter, our little tongue directs our entire life just like the rudder on a ship. {Jas.3:4}
 
So much is revealed about us by how and what we speak. God already knows because He searches our hearts {Jer.17:10}, but people all around us can see the 'real us' by listening to what we say. For Jesus Himself said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.' {Mat.12:34} We are continually called to control what comes out of our mouths because what is coming out of our mouths indeed reveals exactly what is in our hearts! As the apostle Paul commanded us, calling us to edify and give grace to those who hear us, we must not let any unwholesome word come out of our mouths. {Eph.4:29}

Quite a number of years ago when Alice and I were based in California doing seminars all over on biblical principles at home and at work I heard a woman, a state senator I believe, commenting on the growing tolerance for cursing, for filthy talk, in the schools even with younger children. She said something to the effect that it was good to allow children to speak like that because it would 'stimulate their creativity.' Well, it certainly has stimulated something because this country is absolutely filled with unwholesome words by pretty much everybody everywhere I go!

Please remember that the Lords instructs us through the apostle Paul that we are not to let any unwholesome word come out of our mouths but only such a word as is good for edifying, building up whoever hears. {Eph.4:29} That becomes even more specific when he goes on to say: “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” {Eph.5:3-4}

So we must not get caught up in careless talk. Do not do it and do not tolerate it in your own life! As we travel through this life we should be planting words of life. That is God at work in us and through us that we may prove ourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. {Php.2:13-15}

Like David, a man after God's own heart, pray:

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous smite me in kindness and reprove me; It is oil upon the head; Do not let my head refuse it, for still my prayer is against their wicked deeds.” (Psalms 141:3-5)

THE TONGUE OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS A FOUNTAIN OF LIFE