Beware of the Tongue (Bible Class)

BEWARE OF THE TONGUE

(James 3:1-13)

Logan Peters

I. THE TEACHER AND THE TONGUE (JAMES 3:1-6).

1. (James 3:1).

a. We must remember who James is writing to at this time; those Christians scattered abroad (James 1:1). He did not intend to discourage those qualified to teach. Jesus tells us that all God’s Word should be taught (John 6:44-45). If people need to be taught, then there must be teachers.

i. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14).

ii. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, eventhose who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Hebrews 5:12-14).

b. (James 3:1) - “Masters” refers to public teachers. As a teacher, one must understand the difference between what the Bible is binding and what is opinion. In Matthew 12:1-8, the Pharisees create a binding opinion upon Jesus and the disciples for plucking corn on the Sabbath. To combat this, Jesus references 1 Samuel 21:6 when David ate of the showbread. The key to this all lies within Numbers 15:32-36. The original law forbade servile work on the Sabbath. If the work was necessary, then it was permitted.

c. As a teacher, it is imperative to understand the Truth. The Word has a twofold process (Isaiah 55:11). It does exactly what God pleases, and it prospers in the way God sends it. If taught incorrectly, the Word does not prosper. A teacher of the Word will have a heavier judgment (greater condemnation). The tongue can be troublesome if not controlled.

i. References: Acts 13:1; Ephesians 4:11; Hebrews 5:12; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11; Matthew 23:8; 1 Timothy 4:13-16; 2 Timothy 2:2.

2. (James 3:2).

a. The tongue can cause one to stumble by what we are saying. We must be very careful about teaching that everyone should be a public teacher (1 Cor 12:28-29). There are jobs for everyone in the church. Unless we are willing to take the responsibility of studying to the best of our ability to learn the subject at hand, we can cause one to stumble. We can say something in error that will injure the faith of another.

b. 1 Peter 5:3 – If you are preaching and forcing your opinion onto someone else, then you are breaking this command. Being a lord over God’s heritage speaks to making your opinion a law.

i. In Acts 15, Jewish Christians from Judaea came to Jerusalem teaching the requirement of circumcision to salvation. Christians do need circumcision, but it is that of the heart (Romans 2:29).

ii. (Romans 7:1-6) – The Old Testament is no longer binding. But is it wrong for customs to be held? Under Jewish law, people were not able to eat certain animals (Leviticus 11). But God shows Peter that this is no longer a restriction (Acts 10:13-15). Would it be wrong to not eat of those animals? If I decided that I did not want to eat pork any longer, would it be wrong? This would not be a transgression against God. We violate the current law when we force that opinion onto someone else and we make it an opinionative law (1 Peter 5:3).

c. Teachers must be careful that they do not make something binding that is not bound by scripture. No matter my opinion or how I feel, Scripture and God are the ultimate authority, not me (Colossians 3:17). As a student and a listener, what are we to do? Just because the man standing in the pulpit says something is true, do we need to completely take it as law? Luke records that the Bereans sought the Scriptures daily to prove to themselves that what Paul and Silas preached was true (Acts 17:11).

3. (James 3:3-6).

a. What is James trying to say? There are a couple of examples of how something small controls something larger. The bit in a horse’s mouth is not very big but can turn the horse.

b. Bit - [The curb put into the mouths of horses to restrain them. The Hebrew word so rendered in Psalm 32:9 is elsewhere translated “bridle”. Bits were generally made of bronze or iron, but sometimes also of gold or silver. Also: Bit and bridle; Bit and Bridle]

Man can use a rudder (helm) to turn a ship.

Rudder/Helm - [Ancient ships had two great broad-bladed oars for rudders. These, when not in use, were lifted out of the water and bound or tied up. When required for use, these bands were unloosed and the rudders allowed to drop into the water. Also: Helm; Rudder bands; Steering oar]

c. Just as these other items are small in comparison, our tongues are small as well compared to our bodies. In James 3:5-6, the tongue is described as a fire.

i. Wildfires are very prominent in California. The smallest spark or ember can start these great blazes. The tongue is a fire. It can start a blaze within relationships, congregations, and families that can be nearly impossible to contain.

ii. When the Word of God is used incorrectly, it ignites the forest. This can be a flame that no amount of water can put out. It can even cause a faithful member to stumble. It can cause the soul seeking answers to step away from the true church.

iii. James continues by saying that a dirty tongue makes the whole body dirty.

iv. The word “hell” is translated as Gehenna. This is the term Christ used when referencing hell. This is the only other time it is used throughout the Bible. The fire that results from the tongue is comparable to the fire of hell.

v. Proverbs 16:27 – The tongue and the lips can be dangerous but can also be used for wisdom (James 3:13).

II. THE TONGUE ­– WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? (JAMES 3:7-13).

1. Taming the tongue (James 3:7-9).

a. The animals listed in verse seven are tamable by man. A zoo or SeaWorld comes to mind and is utilized for the taming of animals.

i. Tamed here is translated from the Greek word damazō. James uses this term literally in verse seven to speak about taming animals. In verse eight, however, it is used metaphorically.

ii. The tongue is not easily controlled is the idea that James is giving. He says that is full of deadly poison (reference Psalm 140:3). The tongue can be poisonous to those that we speak with.

b. Since the tongue cannot be tamed, what must one do? The goal presented here is to never be relaxed. In football, if the free safety becomes relaxed and is not paying attention to his assignment, the other team may likely score a touchdown.

i. The Christian must be forever mindful of what he says. He must always be mindful of what he listens to on the radio or watches on television. If the tongue and words can destroy a fire, then each person must pay attention to the tongue. Think about what will be said before one says it. Be careful of what goes in the ears, because that is likely what will come off the tongue. The Christian cannot be relaxed but must always be tentative with his tongue.

2. The use of the tongue (James 3:10-13).

a. (James 3:10-12) - James explains how inconsistency cannot be present in the tongue of the Christian (Matthew 5:37).

i. References: Genesis 1:26; Ephesians 1:24; 1 Corinthians 11:7; Romans 12:14; 1 John 4:20-21; Matthew 25:45; Psalm 28:3; Exodus 21:17.

ii. The more a Christian proclaims Christ, the more closely people will watch and listen. There are those in denominationalism, atheism, and evolutionism who will listen closely to what is said to refute the truth of Scripture. The Christian must work diligently to prove what he believes and to ensure no inconsistencies in his speech.

iii. A fountain cannot bring forth sweet water and salt water (James 3:11). A fig tree cannot bring forth olives and a vine cannot bring forth figs (James 3:12).

iv. A phrase comes to mind: “Speaking out of both sides of one’s mouth.”

v. Inconsistency leads to doubt and leads to unfaithfulness. This all goes back to the importance of teachers at the beginning of the chapter. The Christian must study (2 Timothy 4:2).

vi. No man can be perfect. He will make a mistake, but one must be diligent to cut out as many inconsistencies to bring forth the truth from Scripture.

b. (James 3:13) - Although the tongue can cause destruction and pain, it can also be the source of wisdom. Continuous study and prayer, asking God for wisdom, the tongue can be used for the furtherance of the Gospel. Wisdom and knowledge come from God (Proverbs 2:6). The Christian needs to stay active in controlling his tongue so that the truth and love of God come out, and not the hate and death of the world.