Gun Control? How About "Tongue Control"

The idea of gun control is one of the most discussed issues in our nation. Gun control, however, is not a new issue as it has been discussed since guns have come into existence. The reason this is a “hot” issue today is because of the tragic events that have occurred in some of our schools. There is, however, a more important issue than gun control, and that is the issue of “tongue control.”

In this writer’s view, “Tongue control” would help with the “gun control” problem. While it would not completely solve the problem, it would help control the evil use of these weapons. As we hear on the daily news, many people are shot and killed by guns as a result of angry words that are spoken.

James tells us in James 3:5-8 KJV, that the tongue “is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison….Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ….and the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”

In this context, James is instructing us in the proper use of our tongue, warning us about using it in an evil and unkind way. He continues by saying, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be” (James 3:9-10).

Furthermore James writes, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God….If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart this man’s religion is vain” (James 1:19,20,27). Solomon tells us, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Proverbs 26:20-21).

The person who loves and respects God, will love and respect people who are made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27; cf. 1 John 4:20-21; 1 John 5:1). He (or she) will not speak in an evil or unkind way about God or man (Colossians 3:12-13; Titus 3:1-2). To control our tongue, we must of necessity control our mind. Our Lord said, “For out of the abundance of the heart (mind) the mouth speaketh” (Matthew 12:34). Paul states that as Christians, one of our goals is to “bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). When we accomplish this lofty goal, we can say along with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me….” (Gal. 2:20).

Beloved, our world will be a better and safer place to live, if we will allow God’s word to guide and control our thoughts and thus the words we speak.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets