The Test of the Tongue
James 3:1-12
Godly Response: The Godly response for the test of the tongue is to use words that bless God. James doesn't give specific examples of speech that blesses God, but we can safely say that all speech required to follow through with obedience to His commands would bless Him. Some obvious examples include worship, evangelism, Bible teaching, encouragement, all discussions in performance of acts of service, and wholesome fellowship and relationship with others.
The Godly response will also include an understanding of the remarkable power of the words we say. James says the tongue is like a fire, because, unlike a glass of water, a small spark of fire can multiply and burn down a whole forest. A few simple words can break up a marriage or end a career or divide a church or even start a war. As fallen people in a fallen world, it is abundantly easy for us to think improper, sinful thoughts. The Godly response includes a disciplined effort to control what we say, so that those negative thoughts are taken captive before they come out in speech.
Worldly Response: The worldly response for the test of the tongue is to say words that do not bless God. As an example, James mentions "cursing men" with the same tongue that we use to "bless God". Undoubtedly, an abundance of worldly talk is directed at talking negatively about other people. Also, he describes the tongue as a fire ignited by hell and as a restless evil full of deadly poison. Some of the ways we justify that description are the unending string of lies, slander, gossip, cursing, and immoral (perverse) humor we hear that saturates the human existence. The motivation behind worldly speech is always an assault on Godly principles and is always self-serving instead of serving God.
As an interesting exercise, compare your speech against what we are taught in Philippians 4:8. Paul says,
"Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things."