The Tongue

Intro: Each word that you say has weight

(Pictures of dumb people’s words)

James 3:1–12 NASB95

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

Words have Power

Words have weight to them.

(v. 3-5)

Words guide your life and others.

Your words are small, but they have an enormous weight to them

God created the world through His words (Gen. 1:3 “Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.” )

God brought life through words (Ezekiel 37:4-5 “Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.’ “Thus says the Lord God to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life.” )

Jesus said your words have power. (Matt. 12:34 ““You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.” )

Jesus is the Word. (John 1:1-2 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”)

Words Hurt

V. 5-6 Words can do immense damage

The words that you use can destroy someone.

You probably can remember something someone said to you that hurt you immensely.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will leave psychological wounds that never heal.” Timmy Turner’s Dad - Fairly Oddparents

Your tongue is naturally evil.

V. 8

We are broken intrinsically, we need God to fix us and our tongues!

Words Heal

Your words can be used to heal, not to hurt.

When someone gives you a compliment, you feel encouraged, because words can feel great!

That’s one of the reasons a lot of people shouldn’t be teachers. The words you speak from a stage hold weight that can damage terribly, or build up immensely.

Your words are to be used to bless, not to hurt!

Control Your Tongue

Your words have immense power, and the tongue is naturally evil, so we need to control our tongue.

Evil and good don’t come from the same source

If your tongue constantly spits out evil and hurtful comments, and then you change completely when you get to youth, there is a problem!

A salt water spring can’t put out fresh water, evil also can’t make good.

Be a positive influence in people’s life

Love people well, and treat them with positivity.

When you feel yourself starting to say something you shouldn’t, stop talking and breathe

When you speak rashly, own up to it and apologize

We’re all going to mess up, so just own up to it and say, “I’m sorry”

You don’t actually have an excuse, so just apologize.

You can be friends with people, just don’t be hurtful.

We can joke together, but when it goes to far, be honest and move forward.

Jesus is One who controlled His tongue perfectly, and He is the Word of God.

All of that, however, did not stop Him from going to a cross for you, to save you from the sin and evil that has defined you.