Untameable Tongue

Tonight we will be talking about one of the most dangerous things we posses - the tongue.

Chapter 3

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

This is a stern warning - Being considered a teacher is a position of trust. Therefore, G-d holds teachers to a higher standard and will be judged accordingly. This should give anyone pause before undertaking this ministry. You need to really consider your motives for wanting to do this. Everything you do will be scrutinized-and Jesus expects you to uphold HIS standard.

JVM: James is saying that a teacher has a greater responsibility, and the reason for that is the grave danger of teaching the wrong thing.

Matt 23:1-5 - 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5 But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments.

Matt 12:36-37 - But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

My personal experience with this was in 1984 - I had been leading a home fellowship for about 6 months, and attended a bible study led by another group on the base. I knew what the scriptures were to be discussed, and I studied them. During the bible study, the leader was not doing so well, so I basically stepped in an took over the bible study. G-d dealt with me - I was so convicted about misjudging my position, and essentially humiliating the other guy. I was so convicted that I had to apologize and ask forgiveness from everyone at the meeting. I did not lead or teach a Bible study for about 15 years. Then I prayed long and hard about assuming that role again.

I am not saying this to toot my own horn, but G-d takes this seriously and so should you.

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

The KJV uses the word “offend” in place of stumble - I think that provides better context...

Consider Ps 34:13 - Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.

Is this attainable? No, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t strive for it.

Meaning, if we are able to bridle the tongue, it will go a long way towards helping us in our walk. Why? - we will be an example...

Spurgeon:

“The boneless tongue, so small and weak,

Can crush and kill,” declared the Greek.

“The tongue destroys a greater hoard,”

The Turk asserts, “than does the sword.”

3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

A horses bit size range in width from 3” (mini pony) to 7” (clydesdale) - think about the size comparision....

The rudder on an aircraft carrier is about 29 ft tall, 22 ft long. Think about the size of this in comparison to an 1100’ x 256’ x 192’ tall (from the waterline) long ship that weighs 82,000 tons? (with full complement of men and equipment)

Consider Ps 39:1 - I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle,

While the wicked are before me.”

And what does a muzzle do? It keeps the mouth shut!

MH says this: “The more quick and lively the tongue is, the more should we thus take care to govern it. Otherwise, as an unruly and ungovernable horse runs away with his rider, or throws him, so an unruly tongue will serve those in like manner who have no command over it.”

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

We can do a lot of damage with the tongue! You can’t un-say something…

Matt 15:11 - Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.

Mark 7:20-23 - And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

And how do things come out? - the tongue, words.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

Why is this important for James to say? - because it was our rightful place to rule the earth, but it was handed over - by whom and to who?

And yet, we have a hard time with controlling our tongues.

8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

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

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? No

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

It should be obvious that one plant, spring or mouth should produce such different outputs.

From this section (7-12) is the most important? I think v9-10 is especially important

I think Gal 5:22-26 sums it up: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.