A Subject In Everyone's Mouth
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
The question is asked, “Can the tongue be tamed?”
The answer is no, not in our own power; only God can control it! It’s only when we submit to the power of the Holy Spirit, that we have the ability to tame the tongue.
Verse 2 says “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”
This is probably one of the hardest areas of the Christian life…It’s hard to control the tongue...
Let me tell you a story:
There was an old man who often complained of pain and weariness in the evening, as many of us do.
A friend asked him why he complained so. The old man replied, "Alas! I have every day so much to do. I have two falcons to tame, two hares to keep from running away, two hawks to manage, a serpent to confine, a lion to chain, and a sick man to tend and wait upon."
"Why, you must be joking," said his friend. "Surely no man can have all these things to do at once."
"Indeed, I am not joking," said the old man, "but what I have told you is the sad, sober truth for the two falcons are my two eyes, which I must diligently guard; the two hares are my feet, which I must keep from walking in the ways of sin; the two hawks are my two hands, which I must train to work, that I may be able to provide for myself and for my brethren in need; the serpent is my tongue, which I always bridle, lest it speak unseemly; the lion is my heart, with which I have a continued fight, lest evil things come out of it; and the sick man is my whole body, which is always needing my watchfulness and care. All this daily work wears out my strength."
Boy, ain’t that the truth!
Let’s hop into this passage of Scripture and preach on the thought of “A Subject in Everyone’s Mouth”
I want you to notice with me tonight...
1-The Power of the Tongue
1-The Power of the Tongue
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
James gives an illustration about man’s capability of taming a horse and controlling a ship...
A small bit in the mouth controls a strong horse. A small rudder turns a large ship. Even so, if we have control over our tongue it is an indication that we have control over our self.
The bit and the rudder are small but extremely important. If they are not controlled the entire horse is out of control and the entire ship is out of control. It is possible for something as small as the tongue is to have tremendous power for either good or evil.
Our words have the power to guide our lives in a certain direction. They can either build us up or tear us down. They can inspire us to greatness or hold us back in fear. They can bring life or death.
Proverbs 18:21 (KJV 1900)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue...
If the tongue is like a bit in the mouth of a horse or the rudder on a ship, it leaves us with the question: Who or what holds the reins, or who or what directs the rudder?
Some people have no hand on the reins or rudder, and therefore say whatever comes into mind. Others direct their tongue from their emotions or from aspects of their carnal nature.
James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue.
2-The Peril of the Tongue
2-The Peril of the Tongue
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
The words "even so" make the tongue the "little member" illustrated by the "bits" in the horses' mouths and the "small helm" of the big ship.
In these verses, we find three problems that come from the tongue:
The Tongue Distorts
The Tongue Distorts
Verse 5 says the tongue boasts great things…This phrase is referring to haughty speech, provocative language...
Have you ever noticed how easy it is for us to boast about ourselves? We like to talk about our accomplishments, our talents, and our successes. We like to be recognized for our achievements and to feel important in the eyes of others.
God hates boasting. It leaves Him out of the picture and it presents man as self-sufficient.
Pharaoh boasted against God and the dead bodies of his men were washed up on the shores of the Red Sea.
Nebuchadnezzar boasted against God. He bragged about the power of his might and in the same hour he lost it.
The Rich Farmer boasted about his wealth and he lost everything he had in one night. We have nothing about which to boast.
The Bible tells us if we boast, we boast in the cross of Jesus Christ!
The Tongue Defiles
The Tongue Defiles
11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
James says that the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. Iniquity is the word for unrighteousness and wrongdoing.
John Phillips wrote, “The tongue is as dangerous as any fire. It has a vast potential for evil. It can speak falsehood and filth. It can be smooth as butter or as sharp as a knife. It can curse or cajole. It can criticize and complain. It can castigate and corrupt.”
James teaches the church that the tongue defiles, and distorts, but also...
The Tongue Destroys
The Tongue Destroys
Setteth on fire in verse 6: comes from a word that means ‘to burn up.”
This refers to the destructive effect that a wicked tongue has on a person’s life.
A misused and misguided tongue destroys.
Warren Wiersbe writes, “Our own words can break hearts and ruin reputations. They can also destroy souls by sending them into eternity without Christ.”
3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life:
But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
Look at verse 7 and 8...
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Here is a statement that is amazing. All of these different named creatures can be tamed. They can be trained, but verse 8 tells us “…the tongue can no man tame...”
Our only hope in getting control is the power of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.
James calls the tongue an unruly evil...The word "unruly" means "unsettled." It is unpredictable.
The tongue is full of deadly poison...Warren Wiersbe writes, “The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills.”
A woman once came to John Wesley and said she knew what her talent was and she said, “I think my talent from God is to speak my mind.” Wesley replied, “I don’t think God would mind if you buried that talent.”
Speaking forth everything that comes to mind is unwise, poisonous speech.
We have the power and the peril of the tongue, thirdly, notice:
3-The Perversion of the Tongue
3-The Perversion of the Tongue
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James isn’t writing to the world. He’s exhorting Christians. He’s speaking to church people, those who are familiar with the Bible, with the hymns, those who can talk the talk...
The Bible tells us the tongue can be used for the highest calling (to bless our God) and it can be used for the lowest evil (to curse men).
In those who are born again, it shouldn’t be said that out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.
We cannot hate others and love God.
20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
The Bible says...
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
To bless and praise the Lord is the highest possible use of our tongues. The Christian is exhorted throughout the Scriptures to praise God. This is set forth fully in the Psalms.
But if you think you can praise the Lord on Sunday and engage in any form of evil speaking on weekdays, you are a liar according to God’s Word, deceiving your own heart.
Moving on,
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
The final illustration in this section is drawn from nature.
It’s not natural and even impossible for a fig tree to grow olives, or a grapevine to grow figs.
Each must produce after its kind. You may draw the only possible conclusion. Since like begets like, evil speech can only come from an evil heart.
Every tree is known by its fruit, and out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Indeed the tongue is a test of life.