Guard and Guide Your Lips by Faith

Introduction

Good morning! It brings me great joy that we are all here today gathered together once again in the presence of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I praise and thank God for each of you, for the bond and fellowship we share in Christ, and for the privilege of ministering God’s Word as we offer our worship to Him.

Welcome back to our series on the book of James. It has been some time since our last gathering on March 10th, so we have some catching up to do. Let's take this opportunity to refresh our memories and revisit the lessons we learned from the previous message.

In our last message, we examined the first 5 verses of chapter 3, where James focuses on the role of the teacher within the Christian community. He emphasizes caution, reminding the Jewish Christians that not everyone should rush to assume this teaching responsibility, especially in light of his previous exhortation on the inseparability of faith and works. He challenges them, as seen in chapter 2, verse 18, to "shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works."

Therefore, if they are to pursue the profession of being masters of words as teachers, what beliefs, faith, and theology can they teach other than a workless faith? What kind of students would they produce but those with a similar faith without works?

We learned how James exhorts them to speak faithfully and wisely, with three main points gleaned from chapter three:

- Speak without Offense (v1-2)

- Speak with Control (v3-4)

- Speak Faithfully (v5a)

Teaching God’s Word is a sacred calling, one that should be undertaken with humility, sincerity, precision, and truth. What they teach should reflect God and not their own workless, empty, dead, futile, vain, and untested faith.

James then employs illustrations to provide clarity and understanding to his exhortation. He vividly illustrates the power of the tongue by likening it to seemingly insignificant yet influential objects such as the bit on a horse’s bridle and a rudder on a large ship.

He demonstrates how something as small as the tongue can have a significant impact, not only on the assembly of the Jewish Christians but also on those around them.

Additionally, notice how James consistently favours the number 3 throughout his discourse:

- He centres his discussion around three main themes: trials, faith, and wisdom.

- He outlines three key points: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

- He provides three illustrations to demonstrate faith without works: the man with the gold ring, the poor man, and the brethren. With each illustration, the situation deteriorates.

- He offers three examples of belief and faith from the Old Testament Historical accounts: the demons' belief with fear, Abraham’s faith in God to resurrect his son Isaac, and Rahab’s faith in God to save her family. With each example, the faith that was shown was better than the previous one.

This morning, we will study James’s third illustration of the power of the tongue.

Please open your Bibles to James 3:1-12 and put a bookmark in it and let us all stand and read it together.

Prayer

Almighty and All-Wise Father,

We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for this day you have bestowed upon us, allowing us to gather and offer our praises and worship unto you. We thank you, Father, for your call that has rescued us from sin, for your divine intervention in our lives, and for the mercy you have shown us, though we are unworthy. Thank you for the salvation you have provided through Jesus Christ.

Father, we acknowledge our rebellious nature and the pride that often fills our hearts. We humbly ask that you would guard our lips, preventing us from sinning against you. Grant us your forgiveness, Lord, that we may be reconciled to you and experience the fullness of fellowship with Christ.

As we turn to your Word for guidance and understanding, we pray for wisdom and clarity. May your Word illuminate our minds and penetrate our hearts, enabling us to live out its truths in our daily lives. Help us to grasp the weight of our words, realizing their potential to harm others or to bless them.

Father, in the midst of trials and tribulations, grant us the joy that comes from knowing you. Help us to fix our eyes on you rather than on the fleeting pleasures of this world, which are filled with sorrow, pain, and testing. May we find comfort in the hope of eternity spent in your presence.

All glory and honour belong to your holy name. We offer our praise and adoration to you, our loving and merciful Father.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen.

The title of our message this morning is:

Guard and Guide your Words by Faith

Propositional Statement

Our goal this morning is to illustrate from God’s Word that our words should be both guarded and guided by the faith we have received from God. In our journey of sanctification and in our everyday conversations, our faith should be fully expressed through God's grace and wisdom.

We must be discerning and mindful of the potential power of our words to bless, not only personally, but also towards others, our families, our church, and ultimately bring glory to God. When others hear our words, they should recognize us as God’s children, worshiping a mighty God who sovereignly directs our lips for His glory.

We have three points to unpack this morning.

· Contain Your Tongue v5b - 6

· Control Your Tongue v7-10

· Conform Your Tongue v11-12

1 Contain Your Tongue

James 3:5b-6 5 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.

I want you to take note that while chapters and verses in the Bible aid in reference and navigation, they can also lead to misunderstandings and misapplications of text, pulling verses out of context.

For instance, we begin our study today in the second half of verse 5, because the first half of verse 5 where it says, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things” should have been part of verse 4, indicating a misalignment between the division and the flow of thought in James's discourse.

This highlights the need for us to remain attentive to the overall context and message of Scripture when we study, rather than solely relying on the divisions of chapters and verses. Though helpful for reference, we must guard against applying verses out of context.

And so we begin with the second half of verse 5, where James introduces the third comparison and image of the tongue as a small kindling fire. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

One of Australia's most devastating fire disasters, the Black Saturday bushfires, occurred on February 7, 2009. Primarily affecting Victoria, with impacts in South Australia and New South Wales, these fires were fuelled by extreme heat, prolonged drought, and high winds. The result was rapid and intense fire spread, consuming vast stretches of land.

The Black Saturday bushfires claimed 173 lives and caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and natural habitats. Approximately 450,000 hectares (1.1 million acres, which is twice the size of Singapore) of land were burned, and thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed or damaged.

These fires were ignited by various sources, including lightning strikes and human activity such as discarded cigarette butts and poorly managed burn-offs. However, the most devastating fires were caused by power lines arcing in high winds, igniting dry vegetation, and sparking uncontrollable blazes.

And just like a spark of a lit cigarette butt, lightning, or arcing powerlines that causes devastation and death, James's third analogy illustrates how a kindling fire could cause significant destruction and loss of life.

He likens the tongue to an uncontrollable and destructive power of the fire. And because the tongue is so unpredictable, in verse 5b he says, “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

James is drawing their attention. “Behold”, look to the potential disaster that could occur at any time specially if they are teaching. The power of the tongue can be easily unleashed due to its sensitivity. Sinful words can be released with ease, whether out of carelessness, mistake, or lack of judgment. Alternatively, they can be intentionally released with pure malice.

In other words, our mouths should have a big bright warning sign that reads: "Caution! Risk of Explosion."

Look at the beginning of verse 6: “And the tongue is a fire”

It is obvious to us that the tongue is not a literal fire, but it is James’s analogy.

Why did James describe the tongue as a fire?

James draws a parallel between the tongue and a fire because, much like a spark ignites a blaze, our careless and false statements have the potential to spread like wildfire and bring about destruction and ruin, impacting individuals, families, communities, and even entire nations. For instance, spreading lies, fake news, and gossip can tarnish reputations, destroy livelihoods, and shatter lives.

However, James doesn't leave us without guidance. He exhorts us to be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. This admonition encourages us to exercise restraint in our speech and reactions. Additionally, James urges us to seek wisdom from God before we speak, demonstrating faith in His guidance. By carefully selecting our words and choosing to speak blessings rather than curses, we can mitigate the harm caused by our tongues and develop stronger bonds and relations in our interactions with others.

James then elaborates on why the tongue is compared to a fire. He identifies four major aspects of the tongue's potency. His first explanation of why the tongue is like a fire is in the beginning of verse 6, “a world of iniquity:”

From this part of the sentence, we see a vivid depiction of something seemingly insignificant, like a spark, gaining control and dominating the world.

However, the word “world” here doesn’t refer to the physical cosmos, but rather to the system of sin. It represents a realm where every form of unrighteousness, wickedness, evil, rebellion, and anti-God sentiment overpowers and seizes control of our speech. In other words, it’s a vocabulary that is anti-God.

My beloved, do we not live in a world filled with iniquity, where the vocabulary often opposes God? We find ourselves surrounded and immersed in language tainted by sin.

Children are growing up without understanding how to express themselves without resorting to curse words.

Families are torn apart by careless, foul and hateful language.

In workplaces, unethical practices are tolerated, driven by sinful motives such as dishonesty, jealousy, disloyalty, and betrayal.

Even governments legislate sinful and unrighteous acts, legalizing them.

How are we, as a church, faring in all of this? Have we, as a local body, been infiltrated by this world of iniquity? Have we been careless in allowing the world to influence how we worship God and handle His words? Have we become complacent and compromised on the truth of God's Word?

Our tongue is the most powerful instrument. We carry a loaded weapon, ready to unleash sinful and vile words. It can be used with precision, like a sniper aimed to deliver hurt, offense, and sorrow to one person. Or, it can act as a bomb, causing widespread devastation and suffering to friends, families, neighbours, communities and even an entire nation.

James second explanation why the tongue is likened to a fire is found in the middle of verse 6: “so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body”

The better rendering of this is an evil tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the whole body.

We see here that one sinful word from one individual can affect and defile the whole body of believers.

One misspoken word, whether by mistake or lack of judgment by one person, can impact the entire church. This can occur through preaching God’s word falsely or without care and precision, causing the entire church to be accused.

Do you understand why James cautions against becoming a teacher?

Likewise, our speech and reactions outside of church can also affect our family and the church's reputation if our testimony is not upright.

Do you see how a small tongue can defile the entire body of believers? The tongue can readily spread and contaminate the rest of the body through secondary means.

Drawing inspiration from James's analogy of the tongue as a fire, we understand that sometimes, it's not the fire itself that causes harm but the smoke that proves equally deadly in a burning house.

And the effects of smoke extend beyond mere physical harm. Its suffocating fume and smell penetrate small gaps, its stain remains visible, and its presence serves as evidence, provocatively exposing the devastation caused by the fire. The proverbial saying goes, "Where there is smoke, there is fire."

The Lord says in Matthew 12:36-37, 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

The word "idle" means careless or useless. Beloved, God will cause everyone to recall every word they have spoken, and He will judge each word accordingly. We are accountable for every word that comes out of our mouths.

Do you grasp the seriousness and implications of such careless words we personally say can affect our family, the church and even the name of God?

We don’t need to speak directly to cause serious harm; we can also inflict damage indirectly by remaining silent when we should be speaking up against sin.

James 4:17

17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

In our silence, when we fail to stand for truth and justice, individuals without influence or a voice may face horrific injustices, such as the unborn.

Similarly, if we know a brother is committing sin and we do nothing to confront it, we too are guilty of sinning.

Furthermore, if we remain silent and neglect to warn people of God’s impending judgment and share His plan of salvation, we fail to apply our faith and be a faithful witness.

If we, as individuals, are not quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, not only is our personal reputation and testimony tarnished, but it can also affect our families, our church, and bring disgrace to God’s name.

How often have we heard of, and even experienced, instances of sexual immorality involving a pastor, bringing shame not only to his family and the church he leads, but also to the name of God?

Let’s go back to our main text James 3 as we look at the third explanation of James why the tongue is like a fire is in the middle of verse 6, look at it: “and setteth on fire the course of nature”

Our words wield remarkable influence, much like a fire's ability to shape its surroundings. Just as a fire's impact lingers long after it's extinguished, our words too leave lasting impressions, etching, and ingraining themselves into the hearts and minds of those around us.

Whether we speak blessings or curses, our words become part of our enduring testimony, defining how we are perceived and remembered by others. Like the aftermath of a fire, the consequences of our words endure and remain in a person’s heart and mind, shaping our reputation or testimony and subjecting us to God's judgment.

Furthermore, the fourth and most devastating example of the tongue's destructive power is likened to a fire. Take a look at the end of verse 6, “and it is set on fire by hell.” I'd like to direct your attention to the phrase "is set on fire" at the end of verse 6. In the original Greek, this is expressed in just one word: "phlogizo" (pronounced flo-ee-zo). This verb is in the present active form, indicating a continuous state of being set on fire. In other words, hell is continually being set on fire over and over again forever.

Loved ones, the tongue is incredibly dangerous; Satan uses it as his most potent and favourite tool and he’s been using it since he sinned and rebelled against God. In verse 15 of chapter 3, James describes using our tongue in foolishness as diabolical or demonic.

We see examples of Satan using his tongue against God and His creation throughout Scripture. In Genesis 3:1, Satan's temptation of Eve begins with questioning God's command. In Matthew 4:1, Satan tempts Christ with various offers, all of which Christ rejects with His own power and authoritative words.

In Acts 5:3, Satan fills Ananias' heart with lies to keep back some of the price of the land. In John 13:2, Satan puts treachery in the heart of Judas Iscariot to betray Christ. And in 2 Corinthians 11:3 and 11:14, we learn that Satan's deceit can lead our minds astray and that he disguises himself as an angel of light.

But here’s the most amazing thing we possess as God’s children! My loved ones, let us remember that God, in His faithfulness, has made Himself accessible to us. That when we pray, we are free to enter His throne room at any time, without the need for an invitation, Our mediator in Christ is there with us as we ask God in faith for His wisdom. And not only that, but God is faithful to lead us into containing our tongue for His glory.

Loved ones, contain your tongue by faith.

2 Control Your Tongue

James 3:7-10 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.

I’d like to mention here, as a side note, that there are pastors today advocating for the discarding of the Old Testament because they deem it no longer relevant. However, let me present one example of why we should not do so. What is James doing here? He is referencing the creation account found in Genesis 1:26 and 9:2. James directs the Jewish Christians to the creation mandate given by God to have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the livestock, and every creeping thing.

It's crucial to remember that before God inspired the writing of the New Testament, the disciples relied on the Old Testament to proclaim God's glory, holiness, and the sinfulness of humanity. Their Bible was the Old Testament. Therefore, we are blessed to have both the Old and New Testament, as they together constitute the complete revealed Word.

Back to our study, James points them to the mandate of God to have dominion over His creation and James emphasize his point as he transitions his analogy of the power of the tongue from that of fire to the nature of animals in verse 7.

Do you see what James is doing here? He is urging the Jewish Christians to recognize that while they have dominion over animals, their words remain volatile, uncontrollable, uncontainable, and non-conforming.

Loved ones, that is not just a sad state to be in but moreover embarrassing.

We can easily control, contain and conform our animals to our will and yet we can’t do the same with our tongue!

We have a pet chihuahua and in some degree, we’re able to train her, understand her and communicate with her. And yet I can’t control my tongue! Did you ever think of that? That’s a sobering thought!

Have a look at verse 8. “8 But the tongue can no man tame”

James defines the contrast of being able to control animals against the tongue. And his definition is a rude awakening for us. He said, no man which means no one, not a single one can tame the tongue.

Loved ones, please listen carefully to this. There is no hope, no other way within man to gain the power to control their tongue.

The only answer is to look outside of man, and the solution lies in the wisdom of God and the faith that God has gifted to man.

It's crucial to recognize that relying solely on human effort or ability is futile. Instead, we must turn to God for the strength and guidance needed to tame our tongues. This acknowledgment of our own limitations and dependence on God's wisdom is the first step towards true transformation. In fact, nothing in this world, especially within us, could save us. It is only through God’s grace and the finished work of Christ on the cross that we find assurance in our speech.

James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Why is the tongue untameable?

James gave two reasons. Look at the middle of verse 8.

1. it is an unruly evil and

2. full of deadly poison.

We’ve seen this same Greek word for unruly before in chapter 1:8

James 1:8

A double minded man is unstablein all his ways.

James used the illustration of the waves in chapter 1 as being consistently inconsistent.

Now, in chapter 3, he utilizes a more potent analogy than the fire. It’s worse than the fire.

This restless evil signifies unpredictability, lack of control, instability, and volatility. It's like consuming a drink and you don’t know whether it’s poisoned or not. You're unsure of how it will affect your body, whether it will cause pain, how long the effects will last, if there's an antidote available, or if it will prove fatal. Isn’t this reminiscent of the serpent, Satan himself, who deceived Eve with his poisonous words?

Look at verse 9 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

The unruliness and poisonous nature of the tongue make it impossible for men to control.

James's exhortation underscores the evil of the tongue. Its uncertainty, unpredictability, lack of control, and yet dominating power should instil fear and mindfulness of its character and nature.

When blessing and cursing flow from the same tongue, it exposes the dual nature of our sinful selves. While the world may perceive it as normal to bless and curse, believers should tremble at the thought.

Why? Because as Children of God, we should know that we do not have any control over our tongues. Brethren, this is not just normal, nor is it okay; this is sin and unrighteousness pouring out of our mouths, and we have no control over it.

Another reason why we should be fearful and mindful of our uncontrollable tongue is because when we curse men, when we cause harm, offense, and speak without being slow to anger, whom are we causing hurt? Look at the end of verse 9. “are made after the similitude of God.”

They are people who are made in the image of God. Do you understand what this means? When we speak without being slow to anger against someone, we are committing treason against God. Yes, even if they have not received Christ and not yet part of the kingdom, they were made in God’s image and we are committing treason, sinning against God.

James says to have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory with respect of persons. He continues to say to speak and act as those who shall be judged by the law of liberty.

This realization should drive us to seek God's mercy, forgiveness, and wisdom, pleading for Him to transform us into bearers of blessings rather than curses.

Look at verse 10.

James 3:10

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James summarizes the nature of the tongue as contradictory, uncontrollable, uncontainable, and non-conforming, filled with evil. This inconsistency in love and faithfulness in treating others differently is a tragedy. James exhorts the Jewish Christians, questioning whether they truly desire to be masters of words, such as rabbis or teachers, after understanding the dangers of the tongue.

He denounces this deceitful duplicity emanating from their lips and rebukes them in verse 10, stating, "My brethren, these things ought not so to be." Such vocabulary, opposed to God, has no place in the minds and hearts of Christians. Our Lord Jesus Christ, should be the only Lord of Glory that resides in the stronghold of our hearts.

If you are not disturbed by the duplicity of your words, if it doesn't concern you that your words can bring both joy and pain to others, examine your faith, beloved. True faith results in genuine transformation in the life of a believer.

My loved ones, this serves as a poignant illustration of the challenge James addresses—a challenge that underscores our desperate need for God's wisdom and grace to govern our speech and the pressing need for our faith and works in us to work together. Brethren control your tongue by faith.

3 Conform Your Tongue

James 3:11-12

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.

In verse 11, James provides additional insight as he expands upon his earlier comparisons portraying the tongue's likeness to a bit on a horse's bridle, a ship's rudder, and a fire that consumes the land.

He highlights humanity's capability to control animals while struggling to tame their own tongues. Shifting from animal analogies to those found in nature, he now parallels the tongue to a spring.

Moreover, he emphasizes his point with three rhetorical questions, illustrating the abnormality, absurdity, and inconsistency of speaking blessings and curses from the same lips.

Look at verse 11

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Have you ever witnessed a natural spring bubbling out of the ground?

One notable example of a natural spring in New South Wales that feeds into rivers and lakes is Ewenmar (pronounced YOO-en-mar) Creek Spring, situated within the Kosciuszko National Park. Ewenmar Creek serves as a tributary to the Murrumbidgee River, with its origin being a natural spring emerging from the ground in the alpine region of the park.

The fresh water emanating from this spring flows downstream, eventually merging with other creeks and rivers to form the Murrumbidgee River. As the Murrumbidgee River continues its journey, it contributes to the water supply of various lakes and reservoirs in New South Wales, such as Lake Burrinjuck and Blowering Reservoir.

Just as this spring produces fresh water, it would be unnatural for it to simultaneously produce both fresh water and saltwater.

This is precisely the point James is conveying to the Jewish Christians with his first rhetorical question. Can a spring produce both fresh and saltwater? The answer is obviously no. In fact, it is unnatural for a spring to produce both fresh and saltwater. It is absolutely impossible. And this is the point that James is exhorting the church: It is unnatural for a person to both bless and curse. And yet we do it.

However, it seems that we are not disturbed by this reality, nor do we take notice or concern ourselves with the fact that we bless and curse with our own words.

Why don't we care about it?

Is it because we are more focused on our own hurt? Is it because someone else outside of us gains control of our emotions, causing us to lose control and respond with hurtful expressions?

Let us be reminded of James earlier exhortation.

James 1:20–25

20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

How easy it is for us to lose control and quickly switch from blessings to cursing? Have we not closely examined God’s words? Have we not personally experienced God’s faithfulness? How is it possible that we forget so easily? Just as a spring cannot produce both fresh water and seawater, it is unnatural for us to both bless and curse. Do we now realize our need for God to not only cultivate in us a pure heart that speaks forth goodness, but also to conform our tongues so that our professed faith aligns with the words we speak?

Let’s be reminded once again of James’s exhortation.

James 2:14–16

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Beloved, let us remember that there's nothing to gain from boasting about our faith while speaking in a holy or religious manner if we fail to be a blessing to others. Just as faith and works are inseparable, so too must faith and wisdom from God be evident in our conversations with others.

Look at verse 12 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

James concludes his discussion on the tongue with two additional rhetorical questions in verse 12, bringing the total to three. The answers to these questions are clearly no.

The second question he poses is: Can a fig tree bear olive berries? The answer is no, as there is no species of fig tree that produces olive berries.

Similarly, he asks: Can a vine tree bear figs? Again, the answer is no, as vines do not produce figs.

These questions illustrate the principle that a species of tree cannot produce a different species of fruit, which goes against the laws of nature and God's design.

Do you now see how James's rhetorical questions are becoming increasingly absurd? It is not natural, it is impossible, it is contrary to nature and God's design. No sane person would make such claims or agree to them.

James then concludes at the end of verse 12. “so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”

What is James’s main point in this passage? If we can summarise this in a short sentence. If you truly are a Christian, then that is what you are.

And if that is what you are, that is what you ought to be.

Loved ones, we must conform our tongue by faith.

To close this message, I want to direct our attention as

James echoes the Lord's message against false prophets in Matthew 7:15-23.

15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Conclusion Application

Do you now understand why James warns the Jewish Christian believers against hastily taking on the role of a teacher?

Our tongue is a potent weapon with no safety mechanism. Every aspect of our conversation is recorded and will be judged by God. We are accountable for every interaction, response, and answer we give to others before God.

Consider the uniqueness of our tongue. While all of God’s creation obeys His purpose and design, such as beasts, birds, serpents, and sea creatures being under man's dominion, and natural elements like springs and trees submitting to God's control, containment, and conformity, our tongue stands out. Despite being a small part of the body, it possesses an uncontrollable, inconsistent, opposing, and duplicitous nature that renders us unable to tame it on our own. We must rely on God's wisdom through faith to guard and guide us in its use, ensuring that our speech brings glory to God and blessings to others.

You might be tempted to think, "This doesn’t apply to me. I’m not a pastor, preacher, or teacher." However, beloved, whether you are a grandparent imparting wisdom to grandchildren, a parent educating your children, a spouse influencing your partner, or even an aunt, uncle, or elder sibling guiding younger family members, you serve as a teacher. Even in your golden years, you pass down wisdom to younger women, and as a believer in Christ, you teach those who have yet to find salvation. In various ways, we all fulfill teaching roles, directly or indirectly.

Therefore, we must be diligent in our speech, recognizing the dangers of our words. Understanding the uncontrollable, uncontrollable, and non-conforming nature of our tongue, we must turn to God, seeking His wisdom and applying our faith in our daily lives. I eagerly anticipate our next fellowship focused on James next week. God willing, we will deep dive into His teachings from verses 13 to 18, where He provides further insight into addressing our uncontrollable, uncontainable, and non-conforming tongues.

Prayer

Almighty Father,

We give unto you all the worship and praise for you are worthy of receiving them. We thank you for the privilege, for the grace where in we stand as your children.

Father, may we diligently heed Your word. May we recognize the peril of our own tongues and not take it lightly. Let us be aware of its volatility, unpredictability, and its potential to cause offense to others. Help us realize that we have no authority or power to control, contain, or conform our tongues.

Father, we need Your grace and wisdom to take control, to contain, and to conform our tongues in a way that brings glory to Your name and blesses others. Moreover, Father, we need Your protection and guidance to lead us towards holiness, righteousness, and a consistent life filled with evidence of Your truth. Sanctify us from this world and dedicate us to Your eternal kingdom.

Please be with us throughout the week. Hold us tightly so that we may be righteous witnesses and faithful servants.

We give You all the honour and glory. We pray this in the mighty name of our Savior.

Amen.