"We all stumble"

James 3:2 "We all stumble, in many ways."  I've heard it said, there are no perfect Christians, only the perfect Christ.  So as I write this, I first and foremost want to clarify that I stumble - all the time - and in many ways.  Taming my tongue is one of these ways that I, just like everyone, can stumble and get myself into trouble.  Verse 6 calls the tongue "a fire".  Fire is something you cannot control, or reverse the damage it does.  But we need to be vigilant in our duty to reduce the damage our words can do.

Verses 13-18 look at two kinds of wisdom.  There is wisdom from heaven and there is also wisdom that is "earthly, unspiritual, of the devil".  My study notes in my Bible give a list of these two when regarding speech.  I want to remember this, so when I hear something said or written by another person - I can discern the true source and consider how or if I will respond.
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When our speech is motivated by              
Satan

It is full of
Bitter envy
Selfish ambition
Earthly concerns and desires
Unspiritual thoughts and ideas
Disorder
Evil

When our speech is motivated by
God and his wisdom

It is full of
Mercy
Love for others
Peace
Consideration for others
Submission
Sincerity, impartiality
Righteousness*
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* I'm not talking about being Self-Righteous.  Remember, righteousness is "correct by divine declaration" (1 John 1:9)  When someone is righteous in their speech, they speak as one who is seen by God through the cleansing blood of Jesus.

Satan uses the tongue to divide us from each other...to push us away from gathering as one group under Christ.  Breaking up relationships, and making us act like fools.  Wisdom from God leads to peace and goodness, restored relationships, and forgiveness.