The book of James gives a number of admonitions concerning our tongue. These are needed because all of us use our tongues every day, and they can be the gateway to much sin and harm to our fellowman.

Early in the epistle, James writes, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath" (James 1:19). Let's break down this passage.

First, we are to be swift to hear. Much of what we say comes as a result of what we hear. "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Prov. 18:13). We must take the time to make sure we are hearing correctly before we respond.

Second, we are to be slow to speak. Wisdom is shown in the willingness and ability to think a matter through before we speak. "The heart of the righteous studies how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours forth evil" (Prov. 15:28). "A fool has no delight in understanding, but in expressing his own heart" (Prov. 18:2).

Third, we are to be slow to wrath. Wrath is a "violent emotion resulting in uncontrolled anger and improper indignation" (Woods 74). We are all capable of such wrath, but we are warned to avoid it because "the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God" (James 1:20).