Shalom,

James 3:5-11 from the Complete Jewish Bible:

5 So too the tongue is a tiny part of the body, yet it boasts great things. See how a little fire sets a whole forest ablaze! 6 Yes, the tongue is a fire, a world of wickedness. The tongue is so placed in our body that it defiles every part of it, setting ablaze the whole of our life; and it is set on fire by Gei-Hinnom (Hell) itself. 7 For people have tamed and continue to tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures; 8 but the tongue no one can tame — it is an unstable and evil thing, full of death-dealing poison! 9 With it we bless Adonai, the Father; and with it we curse people, who were made in the image of God.  10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing! Brothers, it isn’t right for things to be this way. CJB

I have heard many instances of people causing themselves much trouble because of their words! That is really what these verses are speaking about! It is very true that the human tongue cannot be tamed, or bought under control, by mere human efforts or will power! There IS something that we can do to control it, however. Look at Matthew 12:34-35:

34 O generation of vipers, how can you being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. KJV

These verses show us that we can control what comes from our mouths IF we control what is IN our hearts! So, the control issue is NOT about the tongue, but about the heart! Psalm 119:11 tells us this:

11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. KJV

11 Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. AMP

So it is the Word of God that makes all the difference! When we"hide" it in our heart, the WORD will keep us from sinning by speaking! ALL sin begins with a thought, progresses to words and then results in action! Nip sin in the bud by feeding daily on the Word of God! Meditate as Joshua 1:8 instructs us to! Then, when you do speak, you will speak good and Godly things that you WANT to come to pass! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "You Are More":

Shalom in Him!