Faith & Works: SPEAKING & BOASTING

Bible Passage: James 3:1–4, James 4:13–17

3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

13 Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 

Summary: In these scriptures, James addresses the power of the tongue and the importance of humility in our planning for the future. He warns against the irresponsible use of speech and the arrogance of assuming control over our lives without acknowledging God's sovereignty.

Application: These teachings remind us that the words we speak can have profound effects on ourselves and others, and we should approach our future with humility, recognizing our dependence on God. By practicing careful speech and acknowledging God's plans in our lives, we can develop stronger relationships and a more profound faith.

Teaching: This sermon teaches us the significance of the words we use and the importance of aligning our plans with God's will. We gain insight into the dangers of both unchecked speech and self-sufficient planning, urging us to seek divine guidance in our daily lives.

These scriptures point to Christ because, In the wider biblical narrative, the emphasis on speech and humility points to Christ, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14) and exemplifies perfect humility (Philippians 2:5-8). His teachings and life model the balance of grace in speech and submission to God’s will.

We need to understand that our words have power, and true wisdom recognizes God’s sovereignty in both our speech and our future plans.

SPEAKING & BOASTING

1. The Weight of Words

James 3:1-2

James wants us to acknowledge the immense responsibility that comes with teaching others, highlighting how easily words can lead to sin. We need to remain humble in our expression and guidance. By recognizing this responsibility, one can align with Christ, who was the perfect teacher, speaking truth in love and humility.

2. The Power to Direct

James 3:3-4

Look at the analogy of the bit and the rudder it illustrates the power of small things to direct much larger entities. This imagery can reflect on how our language choices influence the course of our lives. We need to practice controlling our speech, aligning it with the wisdom and meekness Christ embodied.

3. Presumption and Plans

James 4:13-14

I know that we all make plans, but we must acknowledge life's uncertainty and God's ultimate authority. By recognizing our limitations and depending on Christ, who perfectly trusted the Father’s will, we can gain wisdom. We should embrace humility, understanding that life is brief and uncertain.

4. Submission Over Self-Sufficiency

James 4:15-17

We need to live a life where plans are made in submission to God's will. By adopting an attitude of 'if the Lord wills, we will do this or that' we follow Christ, who taught us to pray for God's kingdom to come. This mindset fosters dependence on God's guidance rather than human arrogance.

Conclusion

Death and life are truly in the power of the tongue. With our mouths we praise God the Father in one setting and curse our neighbor in another. I think if pastor James were here with us today he’d say, “Church, we can do better.” And the upside for us in the 21st century is we have lots of new mediums where we can practice being humble and kind. Places like Facebook and Instagram. Mediums like email and Tik Tot.

These are all spaces where we as believers can enter in and shine the light of Christ. These are spaces where we can be quick to listen and slow to get angry. Places where the words of life are so abundantly necessary.

So, with that in mind, I want to challenge you this coming week to be even more intentional with your words. Let them be life giving and uplifting to others. Let them be encouraging and filled with humility.

Let your words come to life this week and set them free to give life to others. Taming the Tongue and Understanding Our Tomorrow

Let’s pray together.

Prayer: “Oh Lord, please transform our words into messengers of hope and reconciliation. Help us resist the temptation to speak evil of others and instead, give us the strength to share the hope of Jesus with everyone we can.”

Scripture: James 3:1–4, James 4:16 - 17

3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

 James 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 

Introduction

Welcome back church! I’m so excited about today’s sermon, I’ve got lots to share with you as we continue in the book of James. As you probably know already, the book of James spends a lot of time, probably close to a third of the book, devoted to the words we speak, how we speak, and why we speak. And as I’m sure you also know, words are powerful!

Solomon wrote in Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Words are incredibly powerful and carry in them both life and death.

Yes, words can be evil and destructive. But words can be creative, and wonderful. Simply think for a moment about a time when someone spoke encouraging and life-giving words to you. Wasn’t it absolutely amazing!?!

In fact, we know from the book of Genesis that God literally spoke the world into existence. And Psalm 33:9 (NIV)says, For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.  Words are powerful! Words have meaning. An ill-timed or perfectly timed word spoken to another can impact them for their entire lives. Think about that for a moment… You can change the trajectory of another person’s life, simply by the way you speak to them.

This might have been some of the impetus behind why James devoted so much time to this subject in his letter. And we are to take a look at what James has to teach us about both speaking and boasting.

SPEAKING & BOASTING

1 - THE WORDS THAT WE SPEAK

James 3:1-5

James begins this section by making a point about the judgement teachers (or preachers) will incur because of their position… Which wouldn’t make a ton of sense if not connected to the rest of the chapter where we learn just how powerful words are. And of course, words are the primary medium through which teachers teach and preachers preach. Maybe James is trying to acknowledge just how serious the situation is by revealing the weight of responsibility he carries. Either way, he immediately moves on in verse 2 by saying, For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 

In simple terms, if you’re able to control your mouth, then you can control anything. You have reached the end of the journey, perfection. All of us have said things we wish we could take back or change… because even though the tongue is such a small part of our bodies, it can have an immeasurable impact.

James goes on to give three practical examples (Verses 3-5) about how something large and powerful is controlled by a comparably tiny thing. A horse’s bit, the rudder of a ship, and even a small fire are all used to make a big point. All of these things are ultimately under the control/will of something else. It’s a good reminder that we do have a role to play in all this—we have a responsibility over our words, our tongues, and the choice to use them for profit or destruction in the kingdom.

And what is the potential for disaster here? Why is this such a big deal? Just read verse 3:6 and think about all the ways the tongue is described in one verse: And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

● Is a fire

● A world of unrighteousness

● Set among our members (All the “members” of our bodies)

● Staining the whole body - This one member has the ability to stain and pollute all other members of the body.

● Setting on fire the entire course of life - this is better translated as the circle of life. Which shows the tongue’s ability to spread evil beyond just the individual and literally to everything in its sphere of influence.

● Set on fire by hell - The tongue has the unique potential to “unleash hell” on others.

That’s a pretty intimidating list… and the point James is trying to make is getting clearer and clearer. No human has been able to tame the tongue! In fact, “with it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.”

“My brother and sisters, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:7-10)

When we curse others and then sing praises out of the same mouth it sends the wrong message to others. But worst of all, it reminds us of our inherent sinful nature. Yes, we are new creations, yes we are being sanctified, and yes God will bring us through trial and suffering all the way to perfection. But, our words often remind us, in very painful ways, just how rotten and awful we can be to one another.

2 - OUR WORDS DO MATTER

James 3:13-4:10

So, what’s the antidote to all this ugliness? James says it’s humility, meekness, and kindness. “Humble yourselves before God, and He will exalt you.” The word exalt means, to lift up or raise up.” Isn’t it true that so many of our arguments and divisions stem from a place where we want something…Where we have a hole that needs to be filled.

Whether it’s to be seen as smart, or funny, or wise. Maybe it’s to be wealthy and powerful or healthy and free-spirited. Whatever the case may be, we often use our words to try and accomplish for ourselves what we never would be able to on our own. We want wholeness, peace, and contentment. Yet somehow, ironically, we cause so much destruction in our pursuit.

“Do not speak evil against one another…There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?” - James 4:11-12

These couple of verses are a great reminder of what Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:1-2; “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”

God is the only true judge of the thoughts, motives, and intentions of others. When we speak evil of, revile, or slander another person we aren’t speaking kingdom life into them. To the very opposite, we are speaking the language of the devil himself when we do such things. His native language is death, condemnation, shame, slander, and destruction. And none of us want to be part of that… We’ve got to resist him, and resist the temptation to speak like him (James 3:7)

Weigh your words carefully church, for with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. OUR WORDS DO MATTER

3 - WHO ARE YOU BOASTING IN?

James 4:13-17

David wrote in Psalm 34:2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. But where does selfish boasting come from? What about arrogance? You guessed it - straight the heart. And then out of the mouth. For out of the heart the mouth speaks. (Luke 6:45) With all these examples that have been given through chapters 3 & 4, it’s easy to see why James is so passionate about it. But this last example brings up something else about our speech that’s so important to remember.

Having to do with the power and sovereignty of God.

How many of us have freely spoken about all the things we were going to do, all the projects we were going to complete, so on and so forth? We often talk as if we have control over the future. As if we can simply speak things into existence, like a beautiful 2000 square foot deck overlooking our backyard, and it will be so.

The truth is, like James says, we are just “mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” From dust we came and to dust we will return. In light of this reality, what we should be saying is that we will do such and such “if the Lord wills”... I realize that it might sound odd, even off-putting to others, but maybe doing something like this will keep us in our right place and that we would keep God in His right place in our hearts.

Maybe a little reverence could go a long way. Both in our hearts and in the hearts of others around us. The truth is, we really don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, and I think we can agree it’s somewhat foolish of us to talk as if we’ve got next summer’s trip to Cancun all locked down. We don’t know.

But God knows, and He’s sovereign. He watches over us from the morning to the evening. (Psalm 121) His loving mercy is

renewed every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23) And His word has an awful lot to say about how we should use our words. Here are a few gold nuggets of wisdom for you from just one of the chapters in Proverbs:

Proverbs 18:2 - “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Proverbs 18:4 - “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”

Proverbs 18:6 - “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”

Proverbs 18:7 - “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”

Proverbs 18:20 - “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.”

Proverbs 18:21- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

OUR WORDS DO MATTER

Conclusion

Death and life are truly in the power of the tongue. With our mouths we praise God the Father in one setting and curse our neighbor in another. I think if pastor James were here with us today he’d say, “Church, we can do better.” And the upside for us in the 21st century is we have lots of new mediums where we can practice being humble and kind. Places like Facebook and instagram. Mediums like email and review sites like Yelp or others.

These are all spaces where we as believers can enter in and shine the light of Christ. These are spaces where we can be quick to listen and slow to get angry. Places where the words of life are so abundantly necessary.

So, with that in mind, I want to challenge you this coming week to be even more intentional with your words. Let them be life giving and uplifting to others. Let them be encouraging and filled with humility.

Let your words come to life this week, and set them free to give life to others. Taming the Tongue and Understanding Our Tomorrow.