Absolutes and Impossibilities

Introduction

This study will be lumped under the two headers that makes up the title. We will examine the absolutes and impossibilities as they are fleshed out, but they will not be under specific headers like a sermon would be.

Absolutes

The text brings forth a multitude of absolute claims. We will begin with those as we go through verses 5b-6, and 9. We will not look at these text regarding the impossibilities.

Beginning in verse 5b, the first absolute is that the tongue is destructive. This is paralleled with verse 8. As a general note, there is nothing in this section of verses that brings praise to the tongue. Blessings come forth from it, but the way in which the Spirit leads James to write (and through experience and observation) there is much more to be said on the devastating effects of the tongue in comparison to the blessings and good in which the tongue provides.

The tongue is described as a destructive force with the use of the word ‘fire’ which is the launching point that gets us to verse 12. The way that James writes thrusts forth intensity in comparison to his description regarding horses and ships seen in verses 3-4. James keys in on the smallness of the tongue. We have heard it said that ‘sticks and stones may break my bones but words to not hurt me,’ yet how often have we been crushed by the smallest of words? This is what James is getting at with the “smallness” of the tongue and the power that it holds. The smallness he writes here reminds us again of the smallness of the bit in the horses’ mouth and the rudder that directs the ship. But you see the contrast in how they are displayed in verse 5? This contrast will propel us forward as we dive deeper into the usage of the tongue.

Verse 6 is telling. Most of the time tonight will be spent in verse 6. Why? Because James gives a full circle approach to the tongue. He tells us of the present nature of the tongue and what it will look like throughout our entire lives. He also gives some severe imagery for us to consider. These things we will look at in order.

In case there was any doubt, James says that the tongue is a fire connecting verse 5 to verse 6. What does it mean for the tongue to be a fire? Beyond being destructive, it means that the tongue, on its own, is incapable of speaking or promoting good. Now, someone may say but what about the good words that come from it like encouragement, or wise counsel, or songs of praise even? Aren’t those good words? Yes, they are, BUT we must come back to the core of who humans are. Can any human do good? Psalm 14 and Romans 3 would say absolutely not! Who gets the credit then? God, who alone is good, who does this good work in us! Remember for a moment when you were far away from the Lord. Did you use your tongue for good? How about now, maybe you are blinded by sin for a short time, how do you use your tongue? In the midst of sin, is the tongue being used to combat sin or further promote it? We must remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:33-37. Clearly, we have in front of us Jesus (already saying that He knows what is in man John 2:24-25) saying that what comes from the tongue is from the heart. What is the heart? Jeremiah 17:9 says, ““The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can know it?” This is the starting point for our discussion on the tongue hence the evil that lies within.

There are other negative connotations given in verse 6 that lend a bend in the wickedness of the tongue. They are unrighteousness, defiles, and set on fire by hell. I don’t know about you, but none of these are praiseworthy considerations.

Not only do these negative connotations give proof of the tongue, but the Scripture as a whole speaks to this end. Consider a few examples as we read them, mainly from the OT, one being from Matthew. [2 Chronicles 10:13-16, Psalm 55:21, 64:2-3, 101:3-5, 120:2-4, 140:3, Proverbs 11:9, 16:27, Matthew 15:8-9]

The most severe condemnatory mark that James gives of the tongue is that is of the very world of unrighteousness. How severe? Consider this Greek definition, “adikia (unrighteousness) specifically denotes anything that is incongruous with divine or human law — what is just or righteous” (Mounce). In short, this unrighteousness is contrary to divine and moral law.

Hananiah is an example of the severity of such a tongue as found in Jeremiah 28:10-17. His declaration in this text is outright blasphemous to Yahweh because Yahweh did not declare to him the prophecy that he uttered forth regarding being liberated from the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. In Hananiah’s case, his tongue of deceit and full of lies is what did him in with his death being prophesied and coming to fruition several months after his prophecy. Consider this text in light of what Christ said, again, in Matthew 12:37 which reads, ““For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”” The condemnation unto Hananiah was just for his foolish words condemned him to death. Now, this does not mean that our words have power in our life and death. In that we can proclaim great blessings or curses. Far from it! What this tells us is that the Righteous Judge, God Himself, will weigh the words spoken of every man. This is why the death and resurrection is so important. We are set off on foot with a deplorable tongue that is quick to speak blasphemies and lies and deceit. But God, sent Jesus to die on the cross and rise again, so that I/we are no longer marked by our sin, but in Jesus Christ.

Two examples of an unrighteous tongue are found in the life of Jesus. One in Matthew 12:24 when the Pharisees accuse Jesus of healing by the hands of Beelzebul, and the other during the mock trial by the false witnesses in Mark 14:55-57.

The church must never think that she is immune from an unrighteous tongue. For the church is comprised of a redeemed people who wage war against sin and the nature that still indwells within us. The Scripture speaks to this as well in Acts 20:30, 2 Peter 2:1-3, and Jude 8-19. This unrighteous tongue is even warned against being in the church as Paul writes in Colossians 3:8 “But now you also, lay them all aside: wrath, anger, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”

Verse 6 also tells us that the tongue does not change in nature throughout the course of our lifetime. The tongue is so domineering in this way that the Scripture says that it sets the path for our existence. We know that it does not dictate every move we make. But it does dictate many facets of it. Think of how you have used your tongue in the practical ways of life, buying a plot of land/house, purchasing a vehicle, ordering food, etc. We are all guilty at one point in blaspheming the name of God in one way or another, no one escapes that. We have used our tongues to express discontentment and ingratitude. Hence why James a line above says that the tongue “defiles the entire body.” You see these absolute terms do you not?

Another absolute is found in verse 9. Notice that James says that we use our tongue to bless our Lord and Father and also curse mankind. This is an experiential statement. IOW, James has seen and heard of the blessings and cursing of church members. How do we know? The word ‘we’ in verse 9 shines light on the audience of whom are believers. What does it mean to curse? It means to offer imprecation. So what? Have you heard of the Imprecatory Psalms before? If you have not, this definition will prove helpful, “At root, an imprecatory psalm is an invocation of divine cursing” (John Tweeddale). Psalm 35:1–8 is one such Psalm that is Imprecatory. Listen to the severity of verses 1-8 and think of the cursing in James 3:9, “Contend, O Yahweh, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and large shield And rise up for my help. Draw also the spear and the battle-axe to meet those who pursue me; Say to my soul, “I am your salvation.” Let those be ashamed and dishonored who seek my life; Let those who devise evil against me be turned back and humiliated. Let them be like chaff before the wind, With the angel of Yahweh driving them on. Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of Yahweh pursuing them. For without cause they hid their net for me; Without cause they dug a pit for my soul. Let destruction, which he does not know, come upon him, And let the net, which he hid, catch him; Let him fall into it in destruction.” The curses found in the Imprecatory Psalms are toward mankind which only God has the right to put forth. Remember, David, too, was inspired by God to write the Psalms as God directed him. David hated sin and evildoers because God first hates sin and evildoers. Let that sink in for a moment. Yes, God hates sin AND evildoers. Such an evildoer is one who curses his own brother who is also made in the image or as the Greek puts in verse 9, resemblance of God. In short, cursing man is a serious offense in God’s eyes if it done for any other reason than because of a sin or some other form of evil that must be condemned/judged.

Impossibilities

As I said, this text falls under two headers, the second which is impossibilities. For this section we will look at verses 7-8 and 10-12.

The impossibility of verse 8 is further reinforced by verse 7. Because animals of all kinds have tamed by man, it is of greater intent that the focus be on that which man cannot control, that is the tongue. This is the first impossibility, that even for a moment a human being can tame the tongue. Sounds rather bleak and discouraging at the outset, but my hope is to not keep all our attention there, but to see how great God is because HE CAN tame the tongue.

To tame means to subdue. The Greek word for tame is only found in one place outside of the James, and that is in Mark 5 with the record of the man who was demon possessed by Legion. He was the man who would go into the tombs and who could not be bound by any human means. He was uncontrollable, for he would go into the fire and into the water almost to the point of death. Similarly, when man has attempted to control this man, nothing happened. But when Jesus shows up, He forces the demons out of the man and permits them to go into a heard of pigs.

James gives the reason that the tongue cannot be tamed. Because it is full of deadly poison. Man could not touch such a thing because upon doing so he would die, is the picture put forth. Another reason is because the tongue is a restless evil. For a human to contain the tongue it would take, literally, all of his time, efforts, and energy to do so. The man would not be able to rest because the tongue never stops its pursuit grounded in evil. From a practical standpoint it is clear to see why man is unable to tame the tongue. However, there is one other means to think about. How can man tame something that is rooted in sin when man himself is rooted in sin? It would be like asking someone to pick who is better mom or some random person sitting at the park who is unknown. Even if the relationship with the mother is not that good, there is familiarity with her, so a return to her would be more comforting. It is what we know. The same is true regarding sin. Mankind is comfortable with sin because he is rooted in sin. Do you see why the doctrine of original sin (man being born in sin) is so important?

Here is another hard truth. Mankind cannot escape this, that being said even Christians are sometimes susceptible to it. One recent example is Josh Buice, the founder of G3 ministries, a Reformed Baptist ministry, recently stepped down from his role as president of G3 and he has been indefinitely dismissed/removed as Pastor/Elder of Pray’s Mill Baptist Church because he posted slanderous things about other Christians using fake email and social email aliases. The G3 conference, which occurred bi-annually drew as many as over 6,000 people to it. And yet, there is this deceitfulness of sin, carried out by the tongue that set ablaze a fire that will take some time to put out.

This is what verse 10 speaks to. James says that from the same mouth comes blessings and cursings. In one way Josh Buice blessed God and praised His name, and in another he lived a different life putting people to the wall with his words. None of us may use our tongues to quite this degree, but we must ask the question. Am I using my tongue in any way that would leave a trail of fire behind it? The reason we must answer this is because of the urgent demand that James gives. The end of verse 10 tells us that our mouths must not (ought not) contain both blessing and cursing, implying that blessing only should be on our tongue toward another. Again, that is, unless there is a sin that needs to be called out.

I want to note that the CSB rendering of the word ‘ought’ (should) downplays the intensity with which James writes this. You could say that this is a plea from James to not have a tongue/mouth as described in this way. In addition, Paul simply says at the end of Romans 12:14 “do not curse.” Both these men being inspired by the Spirit to write say the same thing… cursing must not be said of the Christian.

The last impossibility comes from verses 11-12. As verses 9 and 10 are very similar so are verses 11 and 12. Both verses contain a word picture that drives home the same message. This message, simply put, is that it is impossible for something impure to come from something that is pure. The first and final word picture has to do with salt and fresh water with the fig and the olive in between them. Again, they all drive home the same point.

As we have seen from James up until this point, there is a simplicity that runs through the way he writes. He ends the first 12 verses of chapter 3 with a word picture that would have stuck with his audience. For figs, olives, fresh and salt water were all staples in their lives. Each served a different purpose, some more important than others, and some with different uses than others. The point being that James’ audience could easily resonate with this. Putting ourselves there for a moment it would be like saying, “well isn’t that obvious James, that salt water cannot come from fresh.” However, this is how they needed to be spoken to to get the point.

The point being that it is impossible for the Christian to continue to live with an uncontrollable tongue when we have a gracious and merciful God who is able to tame that wretched tongue of ours. As long as we are going to God for help in this matter, we can never falter, on our own however we are guaranteed to to do so. This, too, has been James’ premise from the beginning of the letter, “we are not able, but God is.”