Real Talk

The Big Idea today:

Constructive words are controlled, careful, and consistent.

A word of caution to teachers. (v.1)

James 3:1 NIV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.

This is written as a little “sidebar”. To those who would have interest and passion to guide others in their understanding and life in Christ.

We should read this NOT as a deterrent to helping others, but simply a reminder of the responsibility it is.

This warning is more directed to those who are quite opinionated, or those who are seeking prestige. Another way to say what James is implying might go like this:

“Don’t be eager for the task of directing the lives of others, for this task carries heavy scrutiny.”

The main way we who teach communicate is by speaking— or perhaps writing… none the less, language is paramount to a teacher’s effort.

He then makes a pretty powerful statement:

James 3:2 NIV

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.

Words are a powerful tool for life, and a clear reflection of our hearts.

James is referring very closely to the teachings of Jesus and Proverbs:

Matthew 12:34 NIV

34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Jesus was addressing the Pharisee’s — those who took great pride in their actions and outward appearance — but had corrupt thought in their hearts.

Matthew 12:35 NIV

35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

We will return to this passage in a moment.

James then returns to the masterful teaching he is sharing with his audience. He is emphasizing the power and influence of this little part of our bodies— and the great good, or evil it can do.

He knows that our speech can be destructive or constructive— and we should want to speak words of constructive love— watch and see!

James teaches us that our words should be controlled, careful, and consistent.

Our speech is constructive when it is controlled. (v.3-4)

James 3:3 NIV

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.

[photo of Belgian Horse]

A horse is restrained by a bit and bridle. (internal desires)

The horse has a natural internal desire, but a rider can control it with the small bridle.

James 3:4 NIV

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.

[photo of large ship and rudder]

A huge ship is guided by a small rudder. (external forces)

The ship has no will of it’s own, but is blown and pushed by storms and winds. The rudder guides in spite of these outside forces.

Both examples point out that the size of the tool is deceptive to it’s overall power. A great big “internal desire” can and will be trained and restrained by a very small bit. Likewise a huge sailing vessel is turned and guided — even by using the external forces of life— by this relatively small mechanism.

The first part of verse 5 reinforces that:

James 3:5 (NIV)

5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.

I have a little challenge for you this week— I want you to consider and control EVERYTHING YOU SAY. This will be really easy for some, but very difficult for others. If you’re like me, you process things by talking them out. Even when I’m by myself— I pray with our Lord by talking things through— the work I do lends itself to this practice— but maybe you’re like me, and you need to STOP— take a deep breath, and think before you say anything. Lord place that BIT in my mouth— help me to consider and control my internal will— and likewise, help me to tune my “rudder” the steering mechanism of my life to your guidance— not the blowing winds of our culture or anything around me.

Get control of your speech.

Here’s the rest of verse 5— which sets up our next point:

James 3:5 (NIV)

5 Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

How many times have we heard about this phenomena— especially in and around areas where the dryness can be a problem. Just a small spark from lightning, or a campfire, can eventually destroy thousands of acres of woods— we don’t fear this as much in Ohio, but often out west, this is a very dangerous thing.

Most of the time, it is just a little tiny ember that may pop out— or be blown by the wind somewhere it doesn’t belong— and bam— we have a full blown forest fire.

So James teaches us here:

Our speech is constructive when it is careful. (v.5-8)

We must be careful and remember the power of our words.

A powerful illustration is popular among youth and children’s ministry— we get each child a tube of toothpaste and tell them to squirt a bunch of it out. Oh— that’s so much fun! Then we just ask them to take a butter knife and put it back into the tube.

[photo of toothpaste tube]

Obviously, they can’t get it back in. Our lesson then is that this is just like our words. Once you say something, you could maybe see it as starting that fire— it is really hard to take it back.

My mom wrangled my sister an I through many arguments and disagreements when we were little— and her summary of this set of verses was simply:

“If you can’t say anything nice, then don’t say anything at all!”. Desperate logic on those long car rides I suppose. :-)

James continues the shocking metaphor of our tongues being not just the source that starts a fire— but themselves actually a fire:

James 3:6 NIV

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.

Much like fire, our speech must be handled with great respect. (v. 6)

James 3:7 NIV

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,

James 3:8 NIV

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

There is a hint of the real issue here— do you feel it? He is referring me to one of the key aspects of the Fruit of the spirit: Self-control.

You can’t control the tongue of someone else! But you CAN control your own tongue. Do you? Are you careful with the fire you have inside you?

This is a generally hopeless statement. My inclination when i read scripture like this, it to say “no”— there must be another way!

Proverbs also influenced James and we know that he had access to probably memorize these same passages: He echoes what he may have been taught as a boy:

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

And for just a little humor— The NLT does a nice job with: Proverbs 21:23

Proverbs 21:23 NLT

23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble.

So we not only need to understand that our tongue, although its small, is powerful and must be controlled— we know it holds great power for good and for evil, so we need to be very careful— James continues with a great practical segue into the “heart” of the matter:

Our speech is constructive when it is consistent. (v.9-12)

James 3:9 NIV

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.

James begins this next thought with a contrast. We have all experienced this. Maybe even this morning already! In verse nine, a new dimension is introduced— This inconsistency needs to be reconciled. Acknowledged, recognized and described. With the words we say, we can definitely send “mixed” messages.

Our speech has the potential for blessing and cursing.

James 3:10 NIV

10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.

He is imploring us— as this Brothers and Sisters. In loving confrontation, he plainly states that “this should not be”. You’re too inconsistent. He implies that there must be a solution to this? Sneak ahead and read verse 17--- that is your hint...

As this verse reads— it implies that when we speak both praise and curses---You’re drawing from two different wells—

Watch this as he expands this thought:

James 3:11 NIV

11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?

A double talking Christian person is as inconsistent as a spring that somehow could bring both fresh and salt water? That’s not possible is it? How can it be with us? We need to draw our speech from the good well!

James 3:12 NIV

12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

This links very clearly to last week— By the fruit you will recognize a tree—

by your speech, we can recognize your heart.

Controlled, Careful, and Consistent.

Back to Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 12:34

Matthew 12:36 NIV

36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

Matthew 12:37 NIV

37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

If this has really touched you this morning… Conviction is not a bad thing… That conviction is indeed the Holy Spirit speaking to your heart on this matter...

If we could get just one thing right, Lord— make it our speech. That little rudder on the bottom of my ship— can guide and direct the whole course of my life.

I want you to implement an ancient practice of asking three simple questions in our minds before we speak:

Is it true?

Is it helpful?

Is it kind?

Is it controlled, careful, and consistent?

Go back to the source--- it’s your heart. Cleanse the heart, and you’ll cleanse the spring— and clean water comes out… Good fruit comes from that tree.

To join together in this effort to speak well—

I have written a prayer for us to recite together:

Heavenly Father,

LEADER: We come before you with humble hearts, recognizing the power and significance of our words. Thank you for the wisdom and guidance you have provided us through your Word today as we reflect on how we speak and interact with others.

ALL: Help us, Lord, to be mindful of the impact of our words on those around us. May we always speak the truth in love, with kindness and compassion, seeking to build others up and bring glory to your name.

LEADER: Forgive us, Lord, for the times when our words have caused harm or division. Grant us the grace to speak with wisdom and discernment, that our speech may reflect your grace and truth to the world.

ALL: Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Lord, that we may be vessels of your peace, spreading your love and light wherever we go. May our words be a source of encouragement, hope, and healing to all who hear them.

LEADER: We commit ourselves to you, Lord, asking for your strength and guidance in the days ahead. Help us to honor you with our speech, that we may be instruments of your love and grace in a world in need of your truth.

LEADER: In Jesus' name, we pray.

ALL: Amen.

Eloquent silence often is better than eloquent speech.

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