Five Inches of Trouble
James 2:1-13  Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.  When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Men = 20,000 words day.  
Woman = 30,000/day
James 1:19 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…
James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
Evidence of a MATURE faith is how we use our tongue. 
What Our Tongue Is Does
#1  Our Tongue Steers Our Life 
James 3:3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 
James 3:4-5 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts‖ 
Reason #2 Our Tongue Burns Things Down
James 3:5 "Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire
James 3:6 it sets the whole course of his life on fire,and is itself set on fire by hell."
James 3:7-8 "All kinds of animals ... have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison." 
James 3:6 "... it sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." 
James 3:7 "All kinds of animals ... have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue.”
Reason #3 Our Tongue Tells On Us 
James 3:10 "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ... can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs?"
James 3:11-12 "Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water." 
Whatever is in well comes out in the water.
Tongue does not change our heart, it reveals our heart 
James 3:12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water
5 tips to giving God control
1. Check the Well
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth AND the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight
2.   Set the Guard 
Psalm 141:3 says, .Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD. Keep a watch over the door of my lips.  
3.  Insert a "Buffer"
James 1:19 "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." 
4. Become a "Blesser," Not a Verbal Arsonist
Psalm 34:1 I will extol the LORD at all times. his praise shall always be on my lips 
5.  Try Word Reduction
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips, guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”   
Resolved, Never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against any one, to bring it to, and try it strictly by, the test of this Resolution.