The book of James: 3:1-18

One of the most amazing tools created in my opinion are levels. You see, a level is a measuring tool that allows you to see whether you are plane in a level. A slight change on the level will be shown by the little bubble in the center. We continue to walk through the book of James. I don’t know if you remember but James is considered a book of wisdom in the NT. It has a lot of good punch lines that hit us at the core. This book presents a LEVEL to our lives that help us measure our maturity in Christ.

In our walk with God, we should often check our level to make sure we are pleasing to God in every are of our lives. James gives us a measuring tool to gauge our maturity in Christ- our speech. Here is my main point:

Main Point: Our maturity in Christ is displayed by the wisdom we apply to our words.

Today we are going to cover chapter 3 of James. The whole thing. So let’s jump right in. Here is principle #1:

Words are powerful. (James 3:1-5)

James 3:1–5 NIV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James gives a warning to those who are teachers. He is basically saying that some people are really eager to teach or to show their knowledge but because words are powerful, it is better to be cautious in speech.

James makes a profound statement in verse 2 The Message translation says it this way: “If you could find someone whose speech was perfectly true, you’d have a perfect person, in perfect control of life.”

Is that you? Of course not. We all mess up. Yet that’s when the level comes in. We are able to check our words and see whether it glorifies God or not.

Verse 3-4. Someone once said: “Words are free. It’s how you use them, that may cost.” Think about this, there have been powerful movements throughout history that started or were fueled by words.

I went down a small rabbit hole listening to different historical speeches.

Positive ones that came at a time of extreme need, such as: I Have A Dream- Martin Luther King & We shall fight on their beaches- Wiston Churchill

Yet the same rabbit trail took to realize that Hitler gave powerful speeches too.

Words are so powerful that is you were able to use them for good always, you would be perfect but the reality is that we don’t always use words to for the benefit of others and for the glory of God.

This leads me to the second principle.

Words are powerful to pollute or polish. (James 3:6-12)

James 3:6-12 “6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

Student do not miss this. James is making a very personal appeal to you. This sermon is not for the person next to you, is for you. This passage is for me.

My words can pollute or polish. They can tear down or build up. They can move the kingdom of God forward or can bring dishonor to God.

I want to give you a few examples of how words pollute. Jumping to verse 14-16, James

Gossip- speaking behind someone’s back and make assumptions.

Anger

Slander- intentionally ruin someone’s reputation

Lies

Cursing / Dirty Jokes

Complaining

Illustration: polluted water. Just a little bit makes it dirty.

Polish- Improve, refine, make better.

How to polish people?

Look for the good.

People are made in the image of God. (James 3:9)

Check your motive

Proverbs 15:28 “28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

Be sincere but gentle

Proverbs 15:1 “1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Be quiet

Proverbs 10:19 “19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.”

Proverbs 26:20 “20 Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”

However, this is not that easy. This is why James brings up wisdom at the end of Chapter 3. There is earthly wisdom and wisdom that comes from God. If you struggle with your words- I know I do. I have to remember that my growth and maturity in Christ is not attained by my own effort, it comes from the wisdom from heaven, which James reminds us to ask for. (James 1:5) Maturity is attained in two ways:

- Through the Scriptures. ( 2 Tim. 3:16 “16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,” )

- Through the Holy Spirit leading, convicting and teaching. (John 14:26 “26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” )

Main Point: Our maturity in Christ is displayed by the wisdom we apply to our words.

I am not asking you to go out there and try harder. I am asking you to surrender your speech to God and hold the Scriptures with high value.

Ask God for wisdom to help you grow in your speech as you seek to polish people. Put a level to your words and realize whether or not, your words display your maturity in Christ or your need for growth.

“Because your words are powerful and you can pollute or polish, we need heavenly wisdom to lead ALL of our conversations.”

As I was preparing this sermon, there were two practical questions that I want you to embrace today

What is one Word you need to drop from your vocabulary today?

For me something that I have struggle for a long time is saying: “Oh my God.”

It may not be a curse word but it could be a word that pollutes your conversation.

What are some words that you need to heal from your past today?

Maybe you were called stupid, awkward, annoying, dumb, useless, lazy, idiot, loser, nerd, moron, freak, ugly, worthless or other words that have hurt you and tear you down.

Students words are powerful. I do believe that some of you need to surrender those words. You have been holding those negative words that were said to you as a label.

Growing in Christ encompasses understanding who we are in Christ. Our God-given identity, I believe that God wants to offer healing to you today of the words that have been used against you at some point.