The Tongue
Notes
Transcript
When was the last time you thought about the tongue, we all have one. We all use it for tasting, chewing, swallowing and speaking.
As we will be looking into James 3 today we will be talking about the tongue, but before we begin a little bit about the tongue
A blue whale's tongue is truly massive!
It can weigh around 2.7 to 4 tons (approximately 5,400 to 8,000 pounds), which is about the size of a full-grown African elephant.
The tongue itself can be around 12 feet long.
Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have existed.
They can reach lengths of up to 98 feet (30 meters) and weigh as much as 200 tons
A Cow’s tongue
Cows are quite large animals, with adult cows typically weighing between 1,000 to 1,800 pounds
Their tongues are also quite impressive! A cow's tongue can be up to about 12 inches long
The weight is 2-4 lbs
The Human tongue
The average human tongue is about 3.3 inches It weighs around 3.4 to 2.7 ounces for adults.
The human tongue is indeed a strong and versatile muscle, but it's not the strongest muscle in the body.
The tongue is actually made up of eight different muscles that work together to allow for a wide range of movements.
These muscles are incredibly flexible and resilient, enabling us to speak, eat, and swallow effectively.
The human tongue typically has between 2,000 to 10,000 taste buds.
These taste buds are responsible for detecting the five basic tastes:
sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami.
Interestingly, children tend to have more taste buds than adults, as we lose some taste buds as we age, that is why our taste changes
The term "umami" comes from Japanese, meaning "pleasant savory taste" which are compounds found in foods like meat, fish, cheese, tomatoes, mushrooms, and soy sauce
Lets stand as we read God’s word
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 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. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 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. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
As we continue in James and seeing how James is written so we can mature spiritually.
We can identify mature Christians by their attitude toward suffering (chap. 1) and by their obedience to the Word of God (chap. 2).
Now James tells us that a Christian’s speech is another test of maturity. We read and hear many words every day and forget what a wonderful thing a word is!
When God gave us the ability of speech:
He gave us a tool to build with
but it can also become a weapon of destruction.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 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.
Apparently there was a rivalry in the assemblies over who would teach.
Some people have the desire to teach, that do not need to be teaching
Years ago I had a guy who wanted to teach, he thought he had the ability, but his spiritual maturity was not there. So his first requirement was to be 10 min early and be here every week.
He was not able to complete the task.
It is easy to take the position of teacher lightly in the church, without considering its cost in terms of accountability.
Jesus warned to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much have been committed, of him they will ask the more. (Luke 12:48)
Peter is a good illustration of this truth.
In the Gospels, while an immature disciple, he often lost control of his tongue and had to be either reproved or taught by the Lord.
Peter’s tongue confessed Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of the living God and denied Jesus with curses.
But after Pentecost, his spiritual discipline was evident by his controlled speech.
When we get saved our speech should be changing, because Our heart has changed.
The power of the tongue (3:3–12)
The Bible mentions the tongue and speech in over 120 passages
These verses often emphasize the power of words and the importance of using them wisely.
Power of Words: Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
Encouragement and Edification: Words should be used to build others up and provide grace to those who hear
Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Truthfulness: Speaking the truth in love is essential for healthy relationships and community
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
James used three paired illustrations to portray the power of the tongue.
Power to direct—the bit and rudder (vv. 3–4).
The word “helm” in v. 4 is “rudder,” the part of the ship that steers it through the water.
Cruise Ships: The rudder on a cruise ship can be quite large, often reaching up to 15 feet in height and 11 feet in width
The average cruise ship is about 1,000 feet long which is roughly the length of three football fields 120,000 tons
the size of the bit in a horses mouth is very small in comparison to the size of the horse
We often think that our words are unimportant, but the wrong word can direct the listener into the wrong paths.
An idle word, a questionable story, a half-truth, or a deliberate lie could change the course of a life and lead it to destruction.
On the other hand, the right word, used by the Spirit, could direct a soul out of sin and into salvation.
You don’t solve the problem of an unruly horse by keeping it in the barn, or the problem of a hard-to-steer ship by keeping it tied to the dock. In the same way, even a vow of silence is not the ultimate answer for the misuse of our tongue.
Just as the horse needs a guide, and the rudder needs a pilot, so our tongues need the Lord to control them.
Power to destroy—the fire and animal (vv. 5–8).
The tongue is a little member in the body, but it can cause great destruction.
What the tongue says comes from the heart: Matt. 12:34–35
“You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart.
“The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
“How great a forest a little fire kindles!” (v. 5) Each year, many thousands of acres of timber are lost because of careless campers or smokers
A little flame can set a whole forest on fire. Yes, there have been recent wildfires in Kansas. For example, on March 14, 2025, there was a wildfire in Lyon County, which is located between Hays and Manhattan
This fire was fully contained, but it affected around 1,500 acres
Marshall Fire (2021): This fire was the most destructive in terms of structures lost, destroying over 991 buildings and causing the evacuation of 37,500 people. It started on December 30, 2021, in Boulder County
The Marshall Fire, which occurred in December 2021, burned approximately 6,026 acres
How did the Marshall fires start How did the Marshall fires start
The Marshall Fire, which started on December 30, 2021, had two main ignition points:
Twelve Tribes Property: The first fire originated from week-old embers on the property of a religious group known as Twelve Tribes. This fire was initially reported on December 24, 2021
Xcel Energy Power Line: The second fire was sparked by hot particles discharged from an Xcel Energy power line near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead
These fires were fueled by high winds and dry conditions, leading to rapid spread and significant destruction. No criminal charges were filed, but Xcel Energy faced numerous lawsuits from victims of the fire
The tongue is a flame:
It can, through lies and gossip and heated words, set a whole family or church on fire.
See Prov. 16:27
A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.
James also compares the tongue to a fierce and poisonous beast that cannot be tamed.
No man can tame the tongue; only God can control it through His Spirit.
The tongue is restless, unruly
What poison it can spread!
A spiritual tongue is medicine (Prov. 12:18
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
The antidote James 1:16-17
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
The antidote if someone has used the tongue to hurt us,
The antidote to take the poison out of our tongue
Controlling the tongue can be challenging for several reasons:
Emotional Connection:
Our speech is often influenced by our emotions.
When we're angry, excited, or stressed, it can be harder to control what we say
Hurtful words can lead to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
Middle schoolers are at a critical stage of developing their self-identity,
Negative comments can deeply affect their self-worth.
Emotional distress from bullying or verbal abuse can distract a student from their studies, resulting in lower grades and decreased participation in school activities.
Habitual Patterns:
Over time, we develop habitual ways of speaking.
Breaking these habits requires conscious effort and practice
Brain Coordination:
Speaking involves coordination between different parts of the brain, including those responsible for language, emotion, and motor control.
This coordination can sometimes be disrupted, making it harder to control our speech
Social and Environmental Factors:
The way we speak is also influenced by our social environment and the people around us.
Peer pressure, cultural norms, and social expectations can all impact how we use our tongues
It's fascinating how such a small part of our body can have such a significant impact on our communication and relationships.
Being the target of harmful speech can lead to social isolation. A middle schooler might find it difficult to make or maintain friendships, leading to loneliness and a sense of exclusion.
A "dangerous tongue" can have significant impacts on the life of a middle schooler. This phrase often refers to harmful speech, such as bullying, gossip, or verbal abuse. Here are some potential effects:
Think Before You Speak: SLOW TO SPEAK - James 2 Take a moment to consider the impact of your words before you say them. Ask yourself if what you're about to say is true, necessary, and kind.
Practice Active Listening: SWIFT TO HEAR - James 2 Focus on truly understanding what others are saying before you respond. This can help you avoid misunderstandings and respond more thoughtfully.
Stay Calm: SLOW TO ANGER - James 2 When emotions run high, it's easy to say things you might regret. Practice techniques like deep breathing or counting to ten to calm yourself before speaking.
Reflect on Your Speech: At the end of the day, think about the conversations you had. Consider what went well and what you could improve. This reflection can help you become more aware of your speech patterns.
Power to delight—the fountain and tree (vv. 9–12).
It is impossible for a fountain to produce both fresh water and salt; and it is impossible for a tongue to speak both blessing and cursing.
How often we “bless God” in our praying and singing, and then “curse men” in our anger and impatience!
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Christians must allow the Spirit to give forth the “living waters” of the Word through their tongues.
There is something wrong with the heart when the tongue is inconsistent.
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.
The wrong word at the wrong time could break a heart or lead a person astray.
The casual sarcastic or critical remark can inflict a lasting injury on another person. The well-timed encouragement or compliment can inspire someone for the rest of their life.
Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Only God Himself is mightier than the human tongue!
Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives: “It would be a monstrosity, a thing to be wondered at, and stared at as unnatural and absurd if a fig tree started bearing olive berries and it is just as unnatural for a Christian to live in sin. Can he so live as to bear the fruits of iniquity instead of the fruits of righteousness?
Unless you are saved, born again, have a new life in Christ, you are not Christians, you cannot, produce the fruit which is acceptable to God
Jacob come on up.
So how is your tongue? How are speaking to others? It always saddens my heart when I hear things from your mouths that are not pleasing to God. I should never have a student say in this youth group that they said this to me or they called me ___________. When that happens I think where is the heart change? During our response time , if you need to make things right with God and one another now is the time as we sing..…
