The Weight of Your Words

Test Marks of a Living Faith

Faith tested by the response to the Word. 1:19-27

Faith tested by the reaction of partiality. 2:1-13

Faith tested by the expression of work. 2:14-16

Faith tested by the demonstration of self control. 3:1-18

Namely, James insists that a living faith must demonstrate its vitality by exercising control over the tongue.

James points out the significance of a controlled tongue 3:1–2

Graphically portrays the importance of controlling the tongue. 3:3–6

Asserts man’s inability to control the tongue. 3:7–8

Rebukes the inconsistencies of an uncontrolled tongue. 3:9–12

Concludes with a discussion of the wisdom controlling the tongue. 3:13–18 / Next Week

Bible Reading

James 3:1–12 (KJV)

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

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.

Sermon Introduction

Two words. It is all that I said before Tristan Wilkerson broke down in tears. Those two words were a name. That name represented love and encouragement to her.

Why does James follow up a section on faith and works by talking about speech?

James is reminding us that our works are not limited to actions, they include our words, our speech.

Nowhere is the union of faith and works more visible than in your speech and my speech

The Bible has much to say about the tongue

A. Death and life in the tongue.

The Bible says that our words are either moving in a life direction, or they're moving in a death direction. What we say either builds up or tears down. Proverbs 18:21 “21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

There isn't any middle ground.

I don't know about you, but I often speak as if my words exist in a happy neutrality. It's uncommon for me to think before I speak, "Is what I'm about to say in this moment going to bring life or bring death?" - Tripp (1)

Misuse of the tongue is perhaps the easiest way to sin.

There are some sins that an individual may not be able to commit simply because he does not have the opportunity.

There are no limits to what one can say, no built-in restraints or boundaries.

B. Words help shape our lives.

God spoke this world into existence.

It was by Words we came to the Gospel.

To a far lesser degree this is true in our lives. Proverbs 16:24 “24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”

We receive a spouse with the words “I do.” The partner we have after many years is very much the result of the words we have spoken into their life.

C. Words can bring destruction.

The natural tendency of the human heart is to selfishly employ words to get what we want.

First actual sin after the fall was a sin of the tongue.  Adam said, “The woman You gave me,” and slandered God by blaming God for the sin. 

When the apostle Paul characterizes the wretchedness of man in his sinful condition, he hones right in on the tongue.  Romans 3:13 “13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:”

Isaiah wanting to confess to God his utter sinfulness in the midst of a vision of God’s holiness. Isaiah 6:5 “5 Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.”

We all are communicators.

Three weeks ago: Judgment will be according to the principle that increased influence means increased responsibility; the greater the influence. upon others, the greater the accountability

As believers we must all rely upon the Holy Spirit to help produce in us the self control needed in our communication.

We can and should put away the wrong manner of speaking. Colossians 3:8 “8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.”

Transition: The Holy Spirit desire to help us today by informing our minds about the truths found here in the Book that He has written.

1. The tongue is a test of Christian character we should demonstrate maturity and self-control. 3:2

James 3:2 “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.”

A. The tongue eventually always tells the truth about the heart.

Helping a teenager learn to drive. You sit there wondering what they are thinking but the way they drive tells you very quickly. The same with speech. Not just words but tones.

Perfect means to be complete or mature.

Full-grown man, as contrasted with the babe in Christ.

Jesus is the only truly perfect example. Luke 11:53–54 “53 And as he said these things unto them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to urge him vehemently, and to provoke him to speak of many things: 54 Laying wait for him, and seeking to catch something out of his mouth, that they might accuse him.”

This is our testimony: James 2:1 “For in many things we offend all.”

This is our stumbling as head down our path of sanctification; becoming like Jesus.

"For in many things” you can sin with your tongue the list is almost endless. (1)

The hasty, thoughtless word

The proud word.

The selfish word.

The self-serving exaggeration.

The sly suggestion.

The manipulative flattery.

Words of anger.

Words of slander.

Harmful gossip.

Innuendo.

Words of doubt.

Impure words.

Rebellious words.

Self-aggrandizing words.

Words of condemnation.

Threats.

Words that inflict guilt.

Words that induce shame.

Unkind or unhelpful words.

Words of criticism.

Boasting.

Complaining.

Grumbling.

Divisive words.

Self-serving, selective stories.

Lying.

Half-truths.

False doctrine.

Insensitive words.

Sarcastic words.

Insults.

Belittling words.

"For in many things” you can sin with your tongue the list is almost endless.

As a kid and teenager I spent time every week in speech therapy. Squirrel, Award, Railroad were almost impossible for me to say. Now I realized the hardest work isn’t how to say words but being willing to not say words that I should not say.

B. Man displays amazing ability to dominate the animal world.

James 3:7 “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:”

Tame: to bring under control for one’s purpose.

We see in one other place in the NT. Mark 5:4 “4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.”

Youth group in South Africa we went to a bird show. We saw a hawk land on John’s head. He may still have the scar to prove it. [Slide of a Grandfather hunting with grandson}]

C. Man cannot tame his own vicious tongue.

James 3:8 “8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

The human tongue as “the one-of-a-kind creature; namely, untamable

Unruly: it cannot be trusted to stay submissively in its proper place. (like a child)

Deadly: Death bearing.

What is hopeless for fallen man can become a reality by God’s grace and power.

D. The ability to tame the tongue effectively only comes through the power of the Holy Spirit.

A life of silence is not the solution.

We have commandments and commissions that require we speak.

We need the Holy Spirit sanctifying work to make us more like Jesus.

2. Behold, how great a problem from a few words. 3:2-6

A. The effects of a controlled tongue.

The tongue is small but significant. James 3:2 “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.”

James cites two common positive examples.

Horse and the bridle. James 3:3 “3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.”

Movement of the bridle controls the entire horse.

James is not interested merely in a “tamed tongue” but in a properly controlled tongue manifesting itself in all areas of human life

The ship and the rudder. James 3:4 “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.”

They would have known of large ships in these days. The ship Paul went down in had 276 people and a load of wheat on board. Acts 27

Fierce winds do not determine the direction of the boat.

YET, they are turned by a small helm (rudder) wherever the captain directs.

B. The effects of an uncontrolled tongue.

James cites one reason and one example of the power of an uncontrolled tongue.

The small member of the body can boast in making a big difference. James 3:5 “5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”

Conscious of its tremendous power, the tongue arrogantly proclaims its own exploits.

The saddest and most celebratory moments of your life have been accompanied by talk.

Last Saturday I heard Abraham say something that sounded like Dad when Beau was holding him.

I’ve watched people cry as they retell a story of many decades ago when words were flung at their young hearts.

The sinful effects of the uncontrolled tongue cannot be contained.

James 3:5–6 (KJV)

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.

C. Our words are potentially combustible.

Story of a teenager in Norway setting backpack on fire to celebrate the end of school.

No other member of our physical body has comparable power and range of influence for evil

The tongue is a fire and can defile the whole body.

Proverbs speaks of the person who doesn’t consider the destructive power of his words. Proverbs 26:18–19 “18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, 19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”

D. Words can open a world of iniquity

There aren’t many sins that don’t involve talking in some way.

Endless possibilities for wrong. Proverbs 10:19 “19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

"It is set on fire of hell” reveals the origin of the tongue’s destructive fire

An uncontrolled tongue can become the tool of Satan and his hosts in spreading the fire of hell

3. Brethren, these things ought not so to be, but often they are. 3:9-12

James sets forth the incredible inconsistency of the tongue, expresses his rebuke, and provides a contrast to the natural order of God’s creation.

A. The person behind the tongue

James 3:9 “9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.”

While James has practically personified the tongue, he is fully aware of the person behind the tongue.

Look at the use of the word “we.”

The tongue is telling a story about the person inside of each of us.

Story of Peter looking to blend in and not be identified as a follower of Jesus. Matthew 26:73–74 “73 And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.”

B. The tongue is used for incompatible activities.

The tongue is “used for incompatible activities: on the one hand it is very religious, but, on the other, it can be most profane in daily life. - Peter H. Davids (2)

“Therewith bless we God, even the Father” states the highest and noblest employment of the human tongue.

Common practice to say “Blessed be” or “Blessed be His holy name” after saying the name of God.

“Therewith curse we men” places this evil use of the tongue alongside its prior noble use.

Therewith or (by the means of) denotes that here again the tongue is but the instrument giving expression to the feelings in the speaker’s heart.

“We” indicate that even Christians, with whom James identifies himself, were at times guilty of this evil.

C. These things ought not be

James 3:10 “10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

This is entirely inappropriate and unbecoming among brethren.

We “are made after the similitude of God” Means we retain an indestructible nobility.

To curse a man is to insult the God whose likeness man still bears

D. Out of the same mouth

Series of questions: The questions call for a strong negative reply. 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.”

Value of fresh water: The importance of a spring of water would be assumed by all the readers familiar with conditions in dry Palestine.

James insists that “the mouth that speaks for the Christian heart must be consistent in its behavior toward God and toward His creatures.” (3)

The remainder of this chapter.

James challenges the man who is truly wise to reveal that fact through his good life. James 3:13 “13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.”

The test may reveal two kinds of wisdom:

James first portrays the evidence when a false wisdom is in control v.14–16

Then sets forth the evidence when true wisdom is in control v.17-18

The tongue demonstrates to whom we are looking for wisdom in this world.

A commitment to positive speech.

A commitment to maturity,

Acknowledge a transformed tongue must be a top priority for those committed to spiritual growth.

Nurture and protect the development of humility, patience, and love.

Write out and memorize working definitions for these words.

A commitment to respect the weight of our words.

Guard the sacredness of your words with a commitment to only speak good of others.

We are told very clearly how to speak by being told what to think on. Philippians 4:8 “8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

A commitment to responding by the spirit and not reacting in the flesh.

Whose wisdom will you trust before speaking?

Take time to ponder. Proverbs 15:28 “28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.”

We need to let our understanding of the gospel shape our speech.

1 Peter 2:21–23 (KJV)

21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Back to the story about Natalie. I told Tristan about Natalie watching the Jesus Film in Sigh Language. She told me only one part had captions. The thought of Jesus voluntarily being restricted struck at my heart.

To the believer your speech this week will help you be honest about your willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit or if you are living according to your own wisdom.

Unbeliever, our speech is one of the ways we incriminate our sinful heart. It demonstrates who is the Lord of our hearts. What is yours telling? Have you ever confessed Christ as Lord with your lips.

(1) The Direction of Words by Paul Tripp

(2) Peter H. Davids, The Epistle of James, p. 145.

(3) Zodhiates, p. 132.