How does Proverbs 10:31 connect with James 3:5-10 on controlling speech? A snapshot of the two passages “The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.” “5 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!” Shared principles • Words reveal character: Proverbs says the righteous “brings forth wisdom”; James shows the tongue exposing blessing or cursing. • Speech has weight: Both writers stress the impact—either life-giving wisdom or destructive fire. • God judges speech: “Perverse tongue will be cut out” parallels James’s warning that a hell-lit tongue corrupts the whole life. Root determines fruit • Proverbs connects righteous speech to a righteous heart (see Matthew 12:34). • James highlights the inconsistency of praising God yet cursing people; a spring cannot pour out both fresh and salt water (compare James 3:11-12). • Both passages teach that regeneration is essential: a new heart produces new words (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Real dangers of the tongue • Destructive influence: one spark, a forest fire (James 3:5-6). • Self-destruction: “course of his life on fire.” • Divine cutoff: Proverbs warns of final removal of the perverse tongue. • Poison: deadly potential toward others (James 3:8). Gospel remedy: new heart, yielded tongue • Only the Holy Spirit can tame the tongue (Galatians 5:22-23). • Abide in Christ; He alone is perfectly righteous and wise (John 15:5). • Keep Scripture on the heart so wisdom flows out (Psalm 119:11). Practical steps to align speech – Daily ask God to “set a guard over my mouth” (Psalm 141:3). – Be “quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). – Refuse corrupting talk; aim for edification (Ephesians 4:29). – Speak truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). – Confess and repent immediately when words wound (1 John 1:9). Living the connection When Proverbs 10:31 says righteous lips “bring forth wisdom,” it is the positive counterpart to James’s warning about untamed tongues. The aged sage and the New-Testament pastor agree: speech must be mastered, because words display what rules the heart and determine both present influence and eternal destiny (Proverbs 18:21; Matthew 12:37). |
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