The Test of the Tongue - Introduction - James 3: 1 - 12

I. Introduction

In all of creation man is the only earthly being that can speak.

We get a range of animals that might sound like they are speaking.

Parrots, crows, and similar birds are known for ‘talking’

This talking is only a repetition of words learned from man though.

Dolphins are believed to have a complex system of clicks, whistles and body language to communicate. But it is only.

Yet it’s for a warning and occasional leadership system only.

They do not Communicate

Great Apes and Elephance have a system of commuication, and yet it’s for signals only and still there is no conversation. Or speach with meaning.

These animals have been observed to show sorrow, have a cry, signal for food, danger, or as a way of ‘identification’ with other groups.

But never have they discussed the meaning of life, or the how the day was. Or exchange past stories, or tell jokes. Or discuss their emotional state.

Man Created in God’s Image is the only creature - besides angels - that can speak.

A. The Significance of Speech in Scripture

Creation Through the Word

Genesis 1:3: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."

From the very beginning, God's spoken word brings forth creation. The universe responds to His command.

Illustrates the divine power and authority vested in words.

The spoken word as an instrument of God's will.

Not just light, but all of creation came into being through His word.

Sets a precedent for the power inherent in speech.

According to Genesis 1:26-27, humans are created in the image of God.

This means that humans, in a limited way, share some of God’s communicative and creative capacities.

While human speech cannot create in the same way God’s does, it has the unique power to influence, shape, and express ideas—qualities that reflect the image of a speaking God.

The Word Made Flesh

John 1:1-3,14: "In the beginning was the Word... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us."

Jesus is identified as the Logos, the Word of God incarnate.

The ultimate expression of God's communication and revelation to humanity.

The Word as a person embodies truth, grace, and redemption.

Highlights the profound connection between God's word and His redemptive plan.

God chose to save through the preaching (tongue and audible voice) of the Gospel (Rom 10:17)

God spoke to the prophets

God continues to speak today through the preaching of the Word

Joel James Expository Study book makes an interesting remark. Preachers need to preach for God. Their responsibility is to ensure that the words are asif God said it Himself.

We need to make every effort to understand the scripture as written, not as some allogorical suggestion that we interpret in a way to make us feel better.

B. The Power of the Tongue in Human Experience

The Tongue's Capacity to Build Up or Tear Down

Proverbs emphasizes the dual potential of speech.

Proverbs 18:21: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."

Words can encourage, heal, and bring life.

Conversely, they can wound, destroy, and bring death.

Historical and personal examples.

Consider how a kind word can uplift someone's spirit.

Reflect on how harsh words have caused divisions or conflicts.

The Enduring Impact of Words

Words once spoken cannot be taken back.

Scientists have a theory that once a sound wave is set in motion, it continues on a never-ending journey, and that, if we had sophisticated enough instruments, each wave could be captured and reproduced at any time. If that is true, every word spoken by any person who has ever lived could be retrieved!

God, of course, needs no such instrument, and Jesus states plainly that “every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matt. 12:36–37). MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (1998). James (p. 144). Moody Press.

Leaders and influencers have steered nations with their words.

Those interested in economics will know that claims from people like, George Soros, Warren Buffet, Elon Must, and even the like has made entire economies change.

C. The Tongue as a Tattletale of the Heart

Don’t we all just hate tattletales… As kids I can recall once or twice where we would try threaten the other sibling with “I’m going to go tell mom”… We hated it so kinda sorted ourselve out quickly.

But our tongue is that annoying tattletale of the heart.

Speech Reveals Inner Character

Matthew 12:34b: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

Our words are a reflection of what resides in our hearts.

The tongue discloses the real person within.

The tongue acts as a window to our inner thoughts and attitudes.

Honest speech can reveal integrity and purity.

Deceitful or harmful speech exposes inner turmoil and sin.

If your speech is saturated in the things of God, the hear is full of the things of God

Speaking about the Bible

About theology, wisdom, or spiritual things

But if the tongue is full of the world, the hear is full of the world

Money, Cars, wealth, food, girls, boys, family

Dreams, desires, wants

The Need for Heart Transformation

Recognizing that controlling the tongue requires addressing heart issues.

A changed heart leads to changed speech.

Emphasizes the importance of inner purity.

Psalm 51:10: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."

The transformation of the heart is essential for taming the tongue.

D. The Tongue as a source of division or unity

The Tower of Babel: Language as Punishment

Genesis 11:1-9: Humanity's unified rebellion.

People sought to build a tower reaching the heavens to make a name for themselves.

Represents human pride and self-exaltation against God.

God's Response: Confusion of Languages.

Genesis 11:7: "Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech."

God uses language as a tool of judgment to thwart their plans.

The aftermath: Dispersion and division.

The inability to communicate led to the scattering of peoples across the earth.

Highlights the power of language in uniting or dividing humanity.

The Opposite of the story in Nehemiah

Jerusalem rebuilt in a miraculous way

Ezra the spokes person appointed by God

Read the Scriptures, Taught the Law, and through his and Nehemiah’s speech, and God’s Grace. There was unity!

Implications for Our Use of Language

Recognizes that misuse of speech can lead to divine consequences.

God's intervention at Babel shows the seriousness of corrupt communication.

Encourages reverence and responsibility in how we communicate.

Understanding that language is a gift that should honor God, not defy Him.

E. The Dangerous Nature of the Tongue

Contradicting 'Sticks and Stones'

The common saying: "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."

Suggests that physical harm is more damaging than words.

The Reality: Words Can Inflict Deep Wounds.

Emotional and psychological scars from harmful words can last a lifetime.

Verbal abuse, slander, and ridicule can destroy repuations, people and relationships.

The Bible affirms the destructive power of words.

Proverbs 12:18: "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts..."

The Tongue's Potential for Destruction

As James will later elaborate, the tongue is like a fire.

Capable of setting ablaze relationships, reputations, and communities.

Understanding the gravity of our words prompts caution and self-control.

Recognizing that words can harm more profoundly than physical acts.

F. Context of this new test of genuine faith (The Tongue)

The tongue as a major focus in James

The tongue is of great concern to James, being mentioned in every chapter of his letter (see 1:19, 26; 2:12; 3:5, 6 [twice], 8; 4:11; 5:12). In 3:1–12 he uses the tongue as still another test of living faith

because the genuineness of a person’s faith inevitably will be demonstrated by his speech

The tongue only produces what it is told to produce by the heart, where sin originates (cf. 1:14–15).

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders,” Jesus declared (Matt. 15:19).

The relationship between faith and speech

Nowhere is the relationship between faith and works more evident than in a person’s speech.

What you are will inevitably be disclosed by what you say.

It might be said that a person’s speech is a reliable measure of his spiritual temperature, a monitor of the inner human condition.

The rabbis spoke of the tongue as an arrow rather than a dagger or sword, because it can wound and kill from a great distance. It can wreak great damage even when far from its victim.

The Tongue is Evil:

The first sin committed after the Fall was a sin of the tongue

Adam slandered God by saying ‘The woman whom You gave to be with me… (Gen 3:12)

In describing total depravity Paul says “Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Rom. 3:13–14)

As he glimpsed God’s glory and holiness, Isaiah, convicted of his own sinfulness, related it to his mouth, exclaiming, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts” (Isa. 6:5).

The Righteous has a clean tongue

The most beautiful places where we see how the righteous’ tongue proclaims faith and praise is probably in the Psalms

David exulted, “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!” (Ps. 8:1)

“The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (19:8).

“My tongue shall declare Your righteousness and Your praise all day long” (Psalm 35:28).

The Tongue as evidence of a new creation

When a person receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, he becomes a new creation.

If you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.… Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.… But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.… Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col. 3:1–2, 5, 8, 15–17)

James has already addressed our heart and minds in chapter one. With practical revelation, encouragement, rebukes, and the visible evidences of true active living faith.

In chapter two we’ve seen the Actions assotiated with true faith. Having true love for one another, loving the law of God, and being DOERS of the word not hearers only.

We’ve also seen that true faith is living, folowed by ACTIONS

Now James will show us that true faith is evidenced by our Speech / tongue

The challange presented by James

James: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary

A transformed nature will produce transformed behavior. And new behavior involves new speech, speech that corresponds to a saved and sanctified life and that reflects the holy nature of the One who has given the new life.

Scripture contains many inscrutable truths which, on the surface, seem to be contradictory or inconsistent and not able to be reconciled with each other by finite minds. For example, believers are chosen for salvation by the sovereign grace of God before the foundation of the world; yet they must exercise faith in order to be saved. As believers, we are kept secure in Christ by God’s sovereign decree; yet we must persevere. We can live a holy life only through the power of the Holy Spirit; yet we are commanded to obey. As James has pointed out in the first chapter of his letter, we will endure trials; yet we must endure them. We will receive the Word; yet we must receive it. We will be gracious to the needy without partiality; yet we must be gracious to them without partiality. We will produce good works; yet we must produce them. Where there is genuine living faith and spiritual transformation, those things, and many others, both will be the result and must be the result.

The outline of our passage

Here James mentions another of these incomprehensible realities: True believers will possess a sanctified tongue; yet they must maintain a sanctified tongue.

He gives us 6 compelling reasons for controlling the tongue.

The Weighty Responsibility of Teachers (James 3:1)

The Universal Struggle with the Tongue (James 3:2)

The Tongue's Disproportionate Influence Illustrated (James 3:3-5a)

The Destructive Potential of the Tongue (James 3:5b-6)

The Inability to Tame the Tongue (James 3:7-8)

The Inconsistency of Blessing and Cursing (James 3:9-12)

II. The Weighty Responsibility of Teachers (James 3:1)

A. The Caution Against Many Becoming Teachers

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers..."

“brothers/brethren”

Each time James is about to launch a seriously confrontational / ‘offensive’ statement he addresses the reader as ‘brothers / sisters” as a show of love.

Again saying this is for your own good to listen.

“Not many of you should become teachers”

Didaskaloi (teachers) was often used of rabbis and any who functioned in an official teaching or preaching role (cf. John 3:10), suggesting that James was speaking of the teaching office in the church

Teaching was a respected and influential role in the early church.

Teachers shaped the doctrine and practice of believers.

The desire for status and recognition may tempt some to seek the role without proper calling or preparation.

A warning against pursuing teaching for the wrong reasons.

B. The Stricter Judgment Awaiting Teachers

Accountability Before God

Teachers will be held to a higher standard.

Luke 12:48b: "Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required."

The influence of a teacher extends to the spiritual well-being of others.

Misleading or erroneous teaching can have eternal consequences.

The Seriousness of Handling God's Word

The responsibility to accurately interpret and convey Scripture.

2 Timothy 2:15: "Rightly handling the word of truth."

The potential for leading others astray through careless or false teaching.

James underscores the gravity of this role.

C. Application

It’s a warning not intended to scare off, but rather highlight the seriousness of the position

1 Timothy 3:1 “It is a trustworthy saying: if any man aspires to the office of (elder)overseer, he desires a good work.”

Scripture encourages it

Matthew 28:19–20 ““Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””

Even if you are not called into the role of elder, all of us are called to ‘make disciples’ and ‘teach them’

Though Directed at those teaching as leaders in the church. James is addressing much more than just pastors. No where in his context is he speaking directly to pastors only.

A Sobering Reminder for Aspiring Teachers

Encourages self-examination of motives and qualifications.

Are we seeking to glorify God or ourselves?

The importance of humility and reverence in teaching.

Recognizing the need for God's wisdom and guidance.

The Necessity of Preparation and Integrity

Commitment to studying Scripture diligently.

Teachers must be grounded in sound doctrine.

Living a life consistent with the teachings.

Hypocrisy undermines the message and damages witness.

III. The Universal Struggle with the Tongue (James 3:2)

A. Acknowledgment of Human Imperfection

"For we all stumble in many ways..."

An admission that no one is without fault.

Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

Stumbling is a common human experience.

“Many ways” Includes moral failures, mistakes, and especially sins of speech.

B. The Perfect Man and Control Over the Tongue

Mastery Over Speech as a Mark of Maturity

"If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man."

The term "perfect" implies maturity and completeness.

Control over the tongue reflects self-discipline.

The tongue is one of the hardest parts of the body to control.

C. Implications

The Tongue as a Barometer of the Heart

Matthew 12:34b: "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."

Our words reveal our inner thoughts and character.

Striving for maturity involves taming the tongue.

An ongoing process requiring vigilance and dependence on God.

The Challenge of Self-Control

Controlling the tongue leads to controlling the whole body.

Indicates mastery over one's impulses and desires.

Highlights the importance of speech in sanctification.

Words can either advance or hinder our spiritual growth.

IV. The Tongue's Disproportionate Influence Illustrated (James 3:3-5a)

A. The Bit in the Horse's Mouth

Small Instrument, Great Effect

A bit, though small, controls the direction of a powerful horse.

The rider uses it to guide and direct the animal's movements.

Symbolizes how something small can exert significant control.

Application to the Tongue

The tongue, though tiny, can steer the course of one's life.

Our words can influence decisions, relationships, and reputations.

B. The Rudder of a Ship

Tiny Rudder Steers a Massive Vessel

Ships, large and driven by strong winds, are guided by a small rudder.

The pilot determines the ship's course with precision.

Emphasizes control and intentionality.

Parallel to Human Speech

Our tongues can navigate the direction of our lives.

Wise speech can lead to blessings, while reckless words can lead to ruin.

The necessity of deliberate and thoughtful speech.

C. The Tongue's Great Boasts

"So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things."

The tongue's capacity to make grand claims or promises.

Boasting can reflect pride and self-exaltation.

A reminder of the tongue's potential to overstep and cause harm.

Caution against arrogance and speaking beyond one's means.

V. The Destructive Potential of the Tongue (James 3:5b-6)

A. The Tongue as a Fire

"How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"

A single spark can ignite a vast forest fire.

Fires can cause irreversible damage and devastation.

Analogous to how a careless word can lead to extensive harm.

Gossip, slander, and falsehoods can destroy lives and communities.

B. The Tongue as a World of Unrighteousness

Staining/Defiles the Whole Body

The tongue can defile one's entire being.

Words can reflect and reinforce sinful attitudes.

Sets the entire course of life on fire.

Our speech can influence the trajectory of our existence.

Set on Fire by Hell (Gehenna)

The source of the tongue's destructive power is linked to hell.

Indicates the demonic influence behind malicious speech.

The gravity of sinful speech is not trivial but spiritually significant.

C. The Source of Its Destructive Power

The Sinful Nature Within

The tongue expresses the corruption of the human heart.

Jeremiah 17:9: "The heart is deceitful above all things..."

Without regeneration, the tongue remains untamed.

Highlights the need for inner transformation.

The Influence of Evil Forces

Recognizes the spiritual warfare involved in our speech.

The enemy seeks to use our words to cause discord and destruction.

Calls for spiritual vigilance and reliance on God's protection.

VI. The Inability to Tame the Tongue (James 3:7-8)

A. Humanity's Dominion Over Creatures

"For every kind of beast... can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind."

Reflects humanity's God-given authority over creation.

Genesis 1:28: "Have dominion over... every living thing."

Demonstrates human ingenuity and capability.

B. The Restless Evil of the Tongue

"But no human being can tame the tongue. it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison"

Despite our abilities, we are unable to control our own tongues.

Highlights the paradox of human mastery.

Described as a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Restless implies constant activity; the tongue is ever ready to cause harm.

Poison signifies the lethal effect of harmful speech.

C. Dependence on Divine Help

Acknowledging Human Limitations

Recognizing that self-effort is insufficient.

The tongue cannot be tamed by sheer willpower.

The need for God's intervention.

Reliance on the Holy Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23: The fruit of the Spirit includes self-control.

The Spirit enables us to produce godly speech.

Daily submission to God's transformative work.

Prayer and meditation on Scripture renew the mind and heart.

VII. The Inconsistency of Blessing and Cursing (James 3:9-12)

A. The Contradictory Uses of the Tongue

"With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people..."

The dichotomy (very obvious contrast) of using the same mouth for praise and curse.

A dichotomy is a contrast between two things. When there are two ideas, especially two opposed ideas — like war and peace, or love and hate — you have a dichotomy.

Praising God in worship, then speaking ill of others.

Cursing those made in God's likeness.

Every person bears the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

Disrespecting others is, in a sense, disrespecting God.

B. The Illogical Nature of Such Behavior

Analogies from Nature

Springs and Water

A spring cannot produce both fresh and salt water.

Nature operates consistently according to its design.

Trees and Fruit

A fig tree cannot bear olives, nor a grapevine figs.

Each tree produces fruit according to its kind.

Implication for Believers

Our speech should align with our new nature in Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:17: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."

Inconsistency in speech reflects a divided heart.

C. Call to Consistency

Integrity in Speech

Striving for coherence between our worship and daily conversations.

Let our speech be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6 “Let your words always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should answer each person.” ).

Reflecting God's character in how we speak to and about others.

Transforming the Source

Addressing the heart issues that lead to sinful speech.

Seeking purification of the heart leads to purity in speech.

Encouragement to be intentional in edifying others.

Building up rather than tearing down.

VIII. Practical Applications

A. Recognizing the Seriousness of Our Words

Understanding the Impact on Others

Words can heal or hurt, encourage or discourage.

Being mindful of the effect our speech has on those around us.

Accountability for Every Word

Matthew 12:36: "On the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak."

Motivates carefulness and consideration in speech.

B. Cultivating Godly Speech

Filling the Heart with God's Word

Luke 6:45: "The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good..."

Immersing ourselves in Scripture transforms our speech.

Practicing Active Listening

James 1:19: "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

Listening more helps prevent rash or harmful words.

Speaking with Grace and Truth

Emulating Jesus, who was full of grace and truth.

Balancing kindness with honesty.

Using Words to Edify

Ephesians 4:29: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up..."

Purposeful speech that encourages and strengthens others.

C. Seeking the Holy Spirit's Guidance

Praying for Self-Control

Recognizing self-control as a fruit of the Spirit.

Daily asking God to help us manage our tongues.

Surrendering Our Speech to God

Committing our mouths to be instruments of righteousness.

Psalm 19:14: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD..."

Engaging in Continuous Spiritual Growth

Regularly examining our hearts and motives.

Confessing and repenting of sins of speech.

Embracing Accountability

Allowing others to speak into our lives regarding our speech.

Being open to correction and guidance.

IX. Conclusion

A. Summarizing the Tongue's Power and Peril

The Dual Potential of the Tongue

Capable of immense good and profound harm.

Our words can be a source of blessing or a vehicle of destruction.

Recognizing the weight our words carry.

The Necessity of Vigilance

Continual awareness of how we use our tongues.

Being proactive rather than reactive in our speech.

Guarding our hearts to influence our words positively.

B. Encouragement Toward Transformation

Acknowledging Our Inability and God's Sufficiency

Our weakness drives us to depend on God's strength.

2 Corinthians 12:9: "My grace is sufficient for you..."

Embracing God's grace in our struggle with the tongue.

Embracing the Sanctifying Work of the Holy Spirit

Allowing God to mold and shape us.

Trusting in His power to bring about lasting change.

Patience in the process of transformation.

C. Exhortation to Reflect Christ in Speech

Our Words as a Testimony of Faith

Letting our speech be a reflection of Christ's love and truth.

Being ambassadors for Christ in how we communicate.

Commitment to Consistency

Aligning our words with our beliefs and values.

Impacting the World Through Godly Speech

Using our tongues to advance God's kingdom.

Sharing the Gospel, encouraging believers, and speaking truth.

Being Salt and Light

Influencing others positively through the way we speak.

Amen

Pray:

Seek God’s help in taming our tonuges.

Acknowledging our inability to control our tongues on our own

Ask for wisdom and purity in speech to reflect Christ