I’ve found that many of my biggest troubles result from what is under my nose. No, it’s not my moustache – it’s my big mouth. There are several scriptures in the Bible that talk about the mouth. James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.” (Read the all of James 3.)

“A bit in the mouth can control a powerful and majestic horse. A huge ship can be steered by a small rudder. The tongue is one of the smallest parts of our body yet it boasts of great things. It is like a small match that sets a great forest on fire. The tongue can defile the whole a body (our soul and spirit). It can set a fire and change the course and destiny of our life” (my paraphrase of James 3:3-6).

Many of our problems result from our tongue. “With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:20, 21). What kind of self-talk do you use? Is your speech full of negative, defeatist, critical, bitter, unwholesome, and unbelieving talk? Is it full of positive, faith, edifying, and wholesome speech? We will eat the fruit of our words. Our tongue can generate life or death. Some use their tongue to curse themselves, others, and even God. Some bless God, themselves, and others. (See James 3:8-12.) David commanded his soul to bless the Lord and then he verbally confessed the blessing of God. (See Psalms 103.)

We have an adversary the devil, the accuser. How can we overcome him? “They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:10, 11). How can you tame your tongue and bring it under control?

First - make Jesus Savior and Lord of your life. His blood was shed for us that we may have forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and a new nature. (See 2 Corinthians 5:10-21.) “That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9, 10).

Second - clean out the well of your soul. Where there is bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition, and pride there is disorder and evil. (See James 3:12.) Years ago, my grandfather had a well. The water was cold and good. One day it began to taste bad. We discovered that it was full of frogs. After cleaning it out, it was once again pure and refreshing. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9, 10).

Third – Is your mouth saved, sanctified, and empowered? Isaiah saw God in his holiness and glory. He thought he was a dead man. An angel flew with a burning coal from off the altar and touched his lips. (See Isaiah 6:1-8.) We need the fire of the Holy Spirit to fill us and touch our lips and tongue. (See Matthew 3:11, Luke 11:13, and Acts 2.)

Fourth – be filled with the spirit (Ephesians 5:18). David tells us to be glad in the lord and give thanks to His Holy name (Psalms 97:11, 12). Constantly giving praise and thanksgiving to God will keep you filled with the presence of God and bring your tongue under the Holy Spirit’s control (I Thessalonians 5:18, Philippians 4:4-8).

Fifth – pray for the control of your tongue. David prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalms 141:2, 3). Pray scripture prayers such as (Psalms 19:14; 17:3).

The answer to many of our problems is our tongue. To walk in faith, success, wholeness, and the blessings of God we must determine to bridle and tame the tongue. Is Jesus the Savior and Lord of your life and tongue? He wants to be.

“Oh Lord, put a guard over my big mouth. Be the Savior and Lord of my life and tongue.”