Lesson 4J - James 3:1- 18 Tongue Warfare

The Gift of the Teaching Tongue 1:1- 12

English Standard Version Chapter 3

3.

The tongue is described here in many ways:

An indicator of a perfect or mature man (vs.2), human body guide(vs.3), life driver(vs.4), small body member(vs.5) large boaster(vs.5), pyromaniac (sets serious fires in life vs.6.), untamable(vs.7,8), poisonous(vs.8), curses people(vs.9), source of blessing(vs.10), source of cursing(vs.10). There’s not a bunch to be proud of. Since we all have a tongue unless the cat got it, we need to address it specifically. It is not only used to assist in the preaching of the gospel to save souls but it can also deliver a person over to death. The tongue is the first thing spoken to when the chapter starts with a warning to those who would become Bible teachers! Instead of having an encouraging word, which is seldom heard, James speaks of judgement(Lexham English version), condemnation(King James), and here in the English Standard Version it says strictness.

The Greek word for this warning is “Mega.” We can even say it is like saying, “Mega, mega.” The term “greater condemnation” does carry with it a very big or “mega” warning to teachers. There are degrees of judgement or condemnation. We will try to add something to this topic later in the lesson. Teachers not only played an important role in the early church, throughout history, but today also. We remember that in James time, this was a society were people could not universally read and write. Teaching easily became a status symbol. Even today teachers( in public schools and colleges) can easily attain a “vested” status where it is almost impossible to remove them from their position because of their years of influence. When Michigan became a state, it made a mandate that every teacher had to be a “born-again” believer to teach in a public school. What came out of their mouths was important. The officials wanted to make sure it would be clean.

If we tend to pick our teachers carefully, it’s partly because of this warning from James. It is not the only reason , but it is prominent. Being great at teaching does not make one a good Bible teacher. Having the “gift of gab” does not make one a good Bible teacher. It takes a calling from God, and an examination of their principles of belief. It is not surprising that Christians can be easily attracted to the teaching ministry. It stands right up there with pastors, apostles and prophets- 1 Corinthians 12:28 “and whom God has appointed in the church: first, apostles, second, prophets, third, pastor/teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, administrations, kinds of tongues.”

Acts 13:1- “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a greater judgment.”

Ephesians 4:11- “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a greater judgment.”

It is not uncommon in some churches to name their pastor as a “pastor-teacher.” But not every teacher is a pastor and not every pastor is a wonderful teacher. In fact, if, one is gifted in one of the primary gifts of the church, it is not uncommon for that person to be gifted in all of the primary areas. In Old Testament times the primary gifts were prophet, priest, and king. Only one person held all three offices: Jesus. King David was also a prophet. Others held a dual office, but to hold all three was divine. The reason this position is so critical is because of the offense or sins of the tongue. So, how do you stand in regards to what your mouth is saying? Is it making you qualified or unqualified to serve? How many times have we seen an offense fly out of someone’s mouth when the comment is surely not needed? I believe the picture is clear. Our church leaders must think clearly on their feet and have firm reins on their tongue.

I’m not a horse person but I love to watch them or watch someone else ride them. I’m not a boat person but I have owned my share (should I say they owned me?) I still love to see them and watch them. Today I have great difficulty just getting into a boat so the example here of a boat or a horse may not be down my alley, but I understand the teaching. When a controlled horse is at play or work, it can be a beautiful thing. A well taken care of boat in the water inspires me to have a dock at the marina. But either one when not working correctly is almost like the judgement of God coming down on your head. We may boast of how many horses( or horsepower) we have or how many sails on our ship, but the upkeep on either one is tremendous and terribly time consuming. So it is with the tongue. You need to be the master of your own before you teach others with yours. This is not saying you have to be mistake free. It is saying you are willing to be accountable for what you say and teach.

The tongue is a small town pyromaniac. It goes around starting dumpster fires in peoples ears, and then works it’s way up to a small building or say a farmers field. Then it gets bolder and sets a fire at the edge of a forest that soon becomes the Canadian wildfire of the century. But these fires don’t burn anything but people and their lives. God calls it through the Holy Spirit, the Word, and His servant James, a “world of unrighteousness.” Not only does the fire of the tongue burn things down, but it leaves a stain(corruption-defilement) that can only be dealt with through the cross and Christ’s blood. The reason the conflagration(big fire) spreads so quickly is that you have a helper in none other than the gates of hell(vs. 6)

Animals can be Tamed but the Tongue...?

Yes, you read that headline correctly! Animals above and below, beast and bird, reptile and sea creature can be tamed by man but no so with the tongue. No human can! It is a restless evil. Or we can say it is “up all night”, denying rest to it’s owner thinking about how it is going to get even with a quick witted, pre-conceived put down that a certain “so and so” needs to hear. This restless evil is continuously moving. In one Bible spot is is spoken in regards to a temple cult. Cultic evil is still present today. We just package it differently to fit the times. The deadly poison is intended to literally kill the hearer. Maybe not death on the spot but the result is intended somewhere in the future. Brothers we claim the grace of our Lord Jesus over our conversation so that we leave no victims by what we have said.

Blessing and cursing are kind of like a horse and carriage. It is possible to have both of either pair, but you really need only one of each. Every man needs to bless, but not every horse has to pull a carriage. James says, “my brothers, say it ain’t so!” He concludes with examples from water, horticulture, and finally the water and saltwater again.

A few words about the “Greater condemnation/judgement/ or strictness”

If there is a greater judgement as we see in verse 1, then is there a “lesser?” Here’s a synopsis of teaching concerning this topic:

“The concept of greater judgment is closely tied to sin and accountability in religious contexts. One article suggests that sin is the primary factor that makes death and suffering formidable, urging readers to focus on ridding themselves of sin rather than merely seeking relief from hardships

1. Another perspective emphasizes that apostasy, or turning away from faith, is considered the worst sin and thus subject to the most severe judgment

2. The idea of judgment is presented as an essential expression of God's holy character, with the belief that all people will face judgment after death

3. Teachers and those in positions of spiritual influence are warned that they will be judged more strictly due to their greater responsibility and impact on others

4. These views collectively suggest that the severity of judgment is proportional to one's knowledge, actions, and spiritual role.”

This was not mine but provided by the Publisher of my software and I thought it was pretty good.