Stop. Drop. Roll.

“Do you have trouble controlling your tongue?” She read the question twice, stuck her tongue out, twisted it left and right, and began to write in response, “No.”

I stifled a chuckle. “That’s not what it’s asking. The question should say something like do you ever say mean words to people without realizing it.”

She nodded, crossed out her answer and scribbled, “yes.”

I wish controlling our tongue was as easy as controlling the physical muscles. When my ice cream starts melting, I can lick the sides. If I’ve got something stuck in between my teeth, I can pry it out with my tongue. (I cannot curl my tongue, but that’s more of a genetic thing.)

And yet, without thinking about it, I can spout off every last one of my opinions in a moment of frustration or snap at someone who has worn down my patience.

James, the brother of Jesus, tells us in James 3:7-8,

Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

If you were to catch on fire, what three steps are you supposed to take to extinguish the flames? 1. Stop 2. Drop 3. Roll

We need to follow a similar pattern with our words.

1. Stop. Does this need more explanation? Stop talking. Shut your mouth. No matter how upset you are. Stop even if you’re mid-sentence.

2. Drop. Think about why you just spouted out ugly words. Drop them. Ask for forgiveness from both God and the person you either said them to or about.

3. Roll. Rolling on the ground extinguishes the flames. We must actively become fire fighters when our tongues cause sparks. The best way for me to fight my words is to memorize Scripture and repeat it in my head. When I am immersed in the Word of God, I am less tempted to fall into bad habits.