A measure of maturity

For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. – James 3.2-4

I like the first line here. It is attached to the teaching about the danger of being a teacher. We have to beware because we all stumble in many things. None of us perfect. We are all going to trip up. 

And to take it a step further we read that there is one area that is especially hard to deal with. ‘If any man doesn’t stumble with his words he is a perfect man in control of his whole body.’ 

I think this is easy to understand because there are all kinds of issues with the tongue are so varied. It is hard to get all of them right. Sometimes our words are the really mean words we first think about. 

But there are also sarcastic words

But there are also vile words

But there are also subtle words designed to to damage

But there are also gossipy words

But there are also prideful words

But there are also lying words

And the list could go on and on. As soon as we think we have one type of words controlled we see another one pop up. 

My tongue is a great measure of my spiritual maturity – according to my tongue how mature of a Christian am I?