Authentic Christianity- Part 10

Introduction- James 3:1-12

The last time we were here in the book of James we considered the connection between what we say that we believe and what we do—the connection between faith and works.

James clearly indicates that genuine faith is demonstrated in what we do and that it is not enough to simply say that you have faith if there is no evidence that your faith is genuine.

Today we will consider the scriptural instruction given to us with regard to the tongue—our speech.

A significant amount of scripture is dedicated to this topic because of the danger it represents and the potential pitfalls that are so common in this area.

This passage indicates that controlling one’s tongue is a difficult task and that not doing so may have serious consequences.

This is an area where every one of us have likely at times struggled—we have frequently said things that we quickly came to regret.

The Accountability of Masters (Vs. 1)

This passage opens with a warning regarding the desire to be in a position of influence and authority.

There are many believers even still today who are anxious to attain a position where they have influence over others.

The scripture warns that with this responsibility comes a much greater accountability.

This is not meant to dissuade men from the desire to have influence, rather it is designed to cause them to consider the gravity of being in a position to wield influence over others.

Those who would be teachers or influential leaders in the church must recognize that their speech and behavior will have a far greater impact in the positive and the negative sense.

When we are in the position to teach and influence others, we must consider that what we say has the potential to do great good, but also to produce great harm.

This passage indicates that we should not be too anxious to be in such a position, but should approach such an opportunity with great care and thoughtfulness recognizing the responsibility and accountability that will be ours as a result.

The remainder of the passage deals more specifically with the tongue—the importance of controlling it and the danger of failing to do so.

A Little Member (Vs. 2-5a)

There are many areas in which we may offend our fellow man, but undoubtedly the most common offense comes by means of the tongue.

This is true to such a degree that an individual who is capable of avoiding offense with his words can be considered to be perfect (mature/complete/whole).

The ability to control the tongue is of such significance that it is proposed that a man who can do this will have no difficulty controlling the rest of his body.

This indicates the great difficulty of controlling one’s tongue and thus avoiding offense—such that the ability to do so is considered a mark of spiritual maturity.

The tongue is but a small member when considered in proportion to the entirety of our body.

The tongue weighs only around 80 grams or approximately 0.18 pounds or in my case less than 0.1% of my total body weight.

The illustrations that follow are intended to show the great power of the tongue even though it be but a small member.

The first illustration pictures a small bit which is placed in the mouth of a horse—a horse on average weighs over one thousand pounds and has enough strength to do serious harm to even the strongest of men.

Yet by placing a very small bit in the mouth of the horse a man is able to gently lead him directing him in the way that he would have him to go.

The bit applies pressure to the sensitive areas of the horse’s mouth and thus enables the much weaker man to exert control over a far more powerful animal.

The next illustration pictures the rudder of a ship which in comparison with the size of a great ship is very small and yet it is by this mechanism that the ship is kept on course by the captain against the immense pressure of the wind and waves.

The point being made here is that though the tongue may be but a small member it can be a powerful force—both for good and for evil.

The tongue has immense power—by mere words wars have been started and finished—by words lives have been instantly changed forever—by the power of words men may be encouraged and uplifted-by the power of words great organizations have been brought to ruin—there is no denying that our words have great power.

Kindling a Fire (Vs. 5b-6)

Another illustration is given drawing a comparison between the tongue and fire.

The idea here is that a fire can quickly consume great swaths of forest and can cause serious damage in just a brief moment.

I have hiked in beautiful wilderness areas in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and I have hiked through landscapes that are utterly blackened by wildfires that are the product of a simple lightning strike or of a campfire that has gotten out of control.

In some places many thousands of acres have been left barren through a simple careless toss of a lit cigarette from a car window.

All of us understand how destructive fire can be and how quickly fire can spread.

This illustration is meant to show the danger of the tongue—it can easily have a similar effect leading to a “world of iniquity” (serious and widespread sin).

If it is not controlled the tongue can defile the whole body and can set aflame all that surrounds us being as James describes “set on fire of hell.”

The point here is that an uncontrolled tongue can quickly lead to sin and widespread destruction not only to ourselves but to all those around us.

Consider how many churches, homes, and lives have been destroyed through the means of an uncontrolled tongue.

Just like in the case of one who sparks a wildfire that burns homes, businesses, and land—it may not be intentional—but an uncontrolled tongue presents a very real danger to all who are around it.

Proverbs 26:20–21 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: So where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

An Unruly Evil (Vs. 7-8)

Throughout history men have tamed nearly every beast imaginable—even many which some would have thought it impossible to tame.

Yet these same men have often utterly failed to tame their own tongue.

This is true in many of our lives—there may be many areas in which we have great discipline and have attained a high level of control over our fleshly passions—and yet in the area of the tongue we so often fail to maintain control.

In many cases all that is needed is a heated moment or an opportunity to spread gossip or lies and we find ourselves quickly giving in to temptation.

The tongue here is pictured as a poisonous animal that is beyond man’s ability to bring under control.

It is important to note here that though men cannot tame their tongue, the Lord has the power to tame our tongue if we will surrender to Him.

This passage clearly indicates that in ourselves we do not have the power to control our tongue—this is why we need the Lord who alone can enable us to tame our tongues.

Contradiction (Vs. 9-12)

The closing section of this passage deals with the fact that so often there is inconsistency in the usage of our tongues.

We all know what it is to use our tongue in the right fashion praising the Lord, teaching the Word of God, or sharing the gospel and then only a short while later we find ourselves using our tongue to slander, lie, curse, complain, or criticize.

The scripture plainly states that these things “ought not so to be”—we should not use our tongue to build up and then to destroy.

It is contradictory for us to use our tongue to praise the Lord on Sunday and then to use it to curse, to lie, or to engage in filthy conversation on Monday.

The question is then asked should a fountain put forth both sweet water and bitter water from the same source?

Is it natural for a a fig tree to bear olive berries or for a vine to produce figs?

No spring can produce both salt water and fresh water.

The point here is that our tongues should consistently be used for good—the bless God and to edify men.

When we fluctuate constantly between using our tongue to build up and then to destroy we act in a manner that is hypocritical and contradictory.

The only way that we shall consistently use our tongue in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord is to let the Lord work in us to enable us to control it.

God does not intend for us to use our tongue to tear down and to destroy at any point—but rather that we would use our tongues to build up and to edify and to praise Him.

Conclusion

Each of us can readily admit that our tongue is one of the most difficult things to consistently control.

The tongue may be small but it has the potential to do great good or great harm depending upon how we use it.

The tongue when not controlled can produce the effect of an uncontrollable fire that can spread and leave destruction in its wake.

We do not have the ability on our own to tame our tongues, but the Lord can enable us to control our tongue if we will yield ourselves to Him.

If we will look to the Lord and allow Him to work in us we can consistently use our tongues for good.

If we fail to do this we will find that we constantly vacillate between using our tongues to praise the Lord and to do good, while also using our tongues for evil.

It is the Lord who will enable us to maintain control over our tongues—something we could never do on our own.