Like a recurring decimal, James returns to the subject of the tongue for the third time in his short epistle. Earlier, he had advised his subjects to be quick to hear but slow to speak (James 1:19). He went on to warn that those who cannot restrain their tongue make a mess of the religion they profess (James 1:26-27). Returning to the subject for the third time running and in more detail, is proof of the seriousness it demands. In THE BIBLE EXPOSITION COMMENTARY, Warren W. Wiersbe describes the tongue as “the world’s smallest but largest troublemaker”. What an apt description!

“Mature people tend to commune more within themselves than with the third party. They have realised that unguarded utterances can be ruinous.”

In our text, we understand that he who has mastered what he says is a perfect man. The idea here is not to express sinless perfection; rather, it is about maturity. If you know how to speak and not put yourself or others in trouble, you are mature. The sentiments expressed here is similar to that of the psalmist. “Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.” (Psalms 131:2 NLT). A child that is yet to be weaned makes the loudest noise. He talks randomly and, many times too, incoherently. Quietude is a sign of maturity. The more mature people get, the more cautious in what they say, how it is said, and to whom. Mature people tend to commune more within themselves than with the third party. They have realised that unguarded utterances can be ruinous. They prefer to speak more to the Lord in prayers than engage in empty babbling that only breeds complications. As we shall see in subsequent meditation, the mouth is a gateway of life that requires a maximum guard to be mounted to keep safe.