James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Bridling the tongue has a lot to do with walking in the Spirit so that you do not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.
For one thing, faith comes by hearing and your faith is your victory over the world. (1 John 5:4). If you do not bridle your tongue, and continually speak things that contradict the truth of God’s word, your heart will be deceived by what it hears. (James 1:26).
Your heart has been created by God to bring forth “fruit” from whatever kind of seed is sown into it—for better or for worse. In Mark 4:28, Jesus said that the earth—which is the heart of man—brings forth fruit all by itself. Whatever seed is sown into your heart, that’s the kind of harvest that your heart will bring forth.
If you deceive your own heart, you will reap a harvest from seeds that your own tongue has planted, that contradict the truth of God’s word in your life. That’s why James 1:26 says that the religion of the man who does not bridle his tongue is vain.
“See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5-6). You may plant a whole forest of seeds for your life, but if you don’t bridle your tongue, you’ll burn the whole forest down!
