The Greek verb damazō means to tame or subdue — to bring something wild and uncontrolled under mastery. In the Greco-Roman world it was used of breaking horses and taming wild animals. The New Testament uses it most memorably in James 3, where the untameable nature of the tongue is contrasted with humanity's success in taming every kind of animal.
James 3:7–8 presents a stunning theological paradox: humanity has subdued (damazō) every species of animal, yet no human being can tame the tongue. This highlights the depth of human sin and the impossibility of self-reformation without divine intervention. Only God can truly tame the wild heart and tongue. The gospel promise is that God gives a new heart and puts his Spirit within us (Ezekiel 36:26–27) — the ultimate divine damazō, taming our rebellious nature from within.