James 3:1-12 - Small Yet Significant
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
What comes to your mind when you hear the following statements?
Did you hear that she…
Did you know that he said…
Can you believe that they…
I probably shouldn't tell you this, but…
Obviously, these are often the beginning sentences that will end with gossip. There is something within most people that enjoys hearing a morsel of gossip.
Maybe it is because it makes us feel better about our own brokenness. Maybe it is because we like feeling like we are in the know.
Whatever it is, we know that gossip causes much hurt and heartache in our world. Gossip can split friendships and even split churches.
What about these statements?
Will you ever amount to anything?
Is that the best you can do? You just aren't good enough.
Words of hyper-criticism wound many day after day. They leave trauma and hurt in their paths. Hyper criticism often feels like sword thrusts into the heart of a person.
Or lastly, how about these?
I just tell it like it is.
This is just the way that I am, and I'm not changing.
I don't care if people get hurt by what I say. They need to not be so sensitive. I was just speaking my mind.
Talk that is riddled with anger and hostility negatively affects all of those around. Sometimes it is an overt anger that is obvious to all around. Sometimes it is a simmering anger that ends with passive-aggressive put-downs.
What do all of these examples have in common? They all are performed by one dangerous and deadly instrument. Namely, the tongue.
We are going to see the power of the tongue and the difficulty one has in taming this wildly difficult to control beast. I pray that today we see the importance of exercising self-control when it comes to our tongue and our need for our Lord to work in and through us to give us this self-control.
Let's dive into our Scripture for today.
Read Full Scripture:
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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 brothers, these things ought not to be so.
Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Prayer
Today we are going to see three important revelations that come as we examine our speech. The first is:
I. Words Reveal the Heart’s Direction (1-5a)
I. Words Reveal the Heart’s Direction (1-5a)
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
If you remember last week, James hit on faith and works and how a true saving faith works.
Now James is going to move forward to talk about another important mark of a true believer - a true believer controls his tongue.
Making this even harder for me to preach, he starts with talking about teachers or preachers of the Word. He lets us know that we will be judged with even greater strictness. We who preach and teach the Word of God will be held to an even higher standard.
Why does James hit leaders when it comes to their speech? Because a teacher practically uses his speech to influence the Christian community he is teaching. The tongue is the the way that a teacher exercises his influence, either for good or for evil.
James wants to make sure that those who are teachers understand the weight of preaching the Word.
He also likely wants to discourage those who may seek a position in the church for power or prestige.
Perhaps he is considering what Jesus said in Luke 12:48.
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
The book of Ezekiel also reminds us of the need and responsibility of those preaching the Word of God to be faithful. In Ezekiel 3:17-19, as well as Ezekiel 33:7-9, we see that God tells Ezekiel that he will be judged based on whether he proclaims the Word of God fully or not. Though New Testament preachers are not bringing new revelation from God like Ezekiel did, our responsibility to proclaim the Word of God truthfully is nevertheless still important.
As preachers, we need to be sure that what we say is true. I need to make sure that every time I am preaching up here, I am preaching the Word of God and not my own word.
I am amazed at how many men stand up in pulpits without having adequately prepared for preaching a message. They obviously have not taken this verse to heart. They do not understand the weight that is upon their shoulders as they flippantly give man's wisdom instead of the wisdom of God.
May this never be so at CrossPointe. May we who teach and preach here be men who preach the Word of God and not human wisdom, lest the cross be empty of its power (1 Corinthians 1:17).
James has started with leaders in this first verse because he knows that the pastor determines the direction of the church.
Although our tongues signify our hearts' direction, the pastor's tongue usually signals and signifies the direction of the church.
When a pastor is full of hate and vitriol, he creates an atmosphere that influences others to follow. When a pastor preaches words of condemnation and judgment devoid of any grace and mercy, he influences his church to be legalistic and works-based. On the contrary, when a pastor only preaches love and never the truth of God's Word - avoiding any hard doctrines of the Bible - he sets the direction of the church into theological liberalism and Biblical illiteracy.
The preaching and teaching of the pastorate is of the utmost of importance in the life of the local church.
James starts with leaders, but as we move to verse two, we see that he brings in the entire flock of believers.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Note the transition here: "For we all.” He turns his attention from directly at the teachers to the entire church body.
James understands human frailty. He reminds us that we all stumble in many ways. If anyone did not stumble in what he says, then he would be a perfect man able to bridle his whole body. However, there is one way in which we stumble that is most common, and that is in what one says.
If one does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man. Obviously, the only perfect man is the Lord Jesus. Thus, we all stumble in every way compared to Him.
Moving ahead to verses 3-5A, we see the power of the tongue given with a couple of vivid illustrations.
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
Consider the sheer size of a horse.
Horses such as Clydesdales can weigh upwards of 2,000+ lbs - approaching the weight of a small car. They are able to carry around 20% of their body weight, which means they can carry over 500 lbs. These same horses can pull 2,000 to 8,000 lbs. for short durations as well.
Yet, as large as these horses are, a small bit in their mouth can allow one to guide and control them with ease. How amazing is it that this 5 to 7 inch bit can control something as large as a small vehicle?
In the same way, we are told that a large ship can be controlled by a very small rudder. A ship like the one Paul was in mentioned in Acts 27:37, which carried 276 passengers, was steered by a small rudder. In fact, the rudder in a large cargo merchant ship only makes up around 2% of the underwater longitudinal hull area. Yet this small rudder determines the direction of the ship.
Likewise the tongue, though a small part of the body, shows the direction of the heart - the body - and frankly the soul.
Those who have an unrestrained tongue, although it is a tiny instrument, will have an undisciplined life in other ways as well. If one does not have self-control with his speech, then it will become clear that his life's direction is not right as well.
If you take a good hard look at your life, what comes out of your mouth and, more importantly, what is going on inside of your heart?
What is the direction of your life looking like right now?
Though our tongue may be small, it is significant. Our words matter. If we want to know what the direction of our life looks like, we need to take a good, hard look at our speech.
Which brings us to our next point, reminding us of the importance of our speech as…
Scripture References: Luke 12:48, Ezekiel 3:17-19, Ezekiel 33:7-9, 1 Corinthians 1:17
II. Words Unrestrained Reveal a Heart Headed for Destruction (5-8)
II. Words Unrestrained Reveal a Heart Headed for Destruction (5-8)
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
James lets us know that a great forest can be set ablaze by such a small fire.
It is amazing that a single match can start an entire forest fire. There are countless accounts of matches or cigarettes that have been thrown down in the woods while burning and ended up causing thousands of acres of damage. Some of these have even lead to the death of many people.
Consider the large fire that started this past week referred to as the Hawk Fire which is near Reno. It has burned 15,000 acres since August 22nd and has destroyed some 47 homes. Though the exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation, it has been determined that it is human caused.
Countless fires like this are started from something like a small match. No one would look at a small matchbox and think of the devastation that such a small thing could cause. However, if used in the wrong way, devastation can quickly overtake an entire forest.
Consider the result of such devastating fires.
After burning, there are no signs of life present in a forest like this. Consider this picture and the barrenness that remains after the forest fire.
Though the tongue is extremely small relative to the entire body, it is extremely powerful. Just like the rudder of the ship steers a powerful ship, or the bit in the horse's mouth steers a large animal, so the tongue also steers the whole of a person. And just like the small match, the tongue carries with it the power of great destruction.
Friends, do the people in your life who have experienced the power of your mouth show devastation like this?
I pray not. I pray that your words are life-giving, that your words are encouraging.
It is tragic when people do not restrain their tongue.
As I ask a series of questions, I want you to honestly evaluate your answers.
Do you struggle with gossip? Do you continue the forest fire that gets started by a single morsel of slander? Do you propagate that gossip and spread it so that more devastation occurs?
Ask the Lord to help you be a gossip chain breaker. Stop gossip right in its tracks by not continuing to participate. Change the subject when it comes up, and avoid telling others gossip that you've been told.
Are you hypercritical to others? Does your smoldering criticism start the spark that ignites a flame in people's lives that leads to heartache and pain?
Ask the Lord to help you be an encourager. Ask Him to help you see the positive and not always the negative.
Are you a husband and/or father and are overly harsh with your words? Do you use your words to intimidate the people that you are called to protect? Do you leave behind relational wreckage in your wake everywhere you go?
Ask the Lord to help you show kindness and love instead of anger and resentment.
Are your words dripping with complaints? Do you drain the life out of others because of your negativity?
Ask the Lord to give you contentment in all circumstances, as we learn in Philippians 4.
The only way that we can fight against the tyranny of the tongue is by allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through us by the power of His Word.
We are not able to control the tongue through our own power. We must full rely on the Lord. As we read and study and meditate on His Word, He will change us from the inside out by the power of His Holy Spirit.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Here we learn that our speech should be full of grace and be used to build up others, not to tear others down.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
This reminds us of the need to speak words in kindness and not with harshness.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us of the tremendous power of the tongue. It says that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue."
This thought from Proverbs 18:21 is expounded by James in verse 6…
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
Listen to these descriptors here:
The Tongue:
1 - Is a fire
2 - Is a world of unrighteousness
3 - Stains the whole body
4 - Sets on fire the entire course of life
5 - Set on fire by hell
1 - It is a fire
We've already mentioned the destructive force of the tongue. Speaking of the unrestrained tongue, James wants us to know the destruction that it brings.
2- A world of unrighteousness
The Greek word translated "world" here is kosmos which normally refers to the evil system of the world. This reminds us that the natural tongue is full of unrighteousness.
3 - Stains the whole body
The unrestrained tongue stains or defiles the whole body. Like a fire that penetrates everything around it - the evil tongue penetrates a whole person.
4 - Sets on fire the entire course of life
James will give us one even more forceful statement after this, but this one is pretty forceful itself. It sets on fire the entire course of life. This shows the overarching power of the tongue.
James wants to remind us that what we say can not be separated from who we are. How often do people make excuses for what they say, act like their words aren't really that important, and pretend that their heart is much better than the words that come out of their mouths? James would clearly disagree with such sentiment.
5 - Set on fire by hell
The word for hell that is used here is Gehenna, which was a place of continual burning. It was a place where all the refuse of Israel was placed. It was a place of great stench. The word Gehenna actually comes from the Valley of Hinnom. This is a valley south of Jerusalem where the ancient Israelites performed child sacrifices to the Canaanite god Molech (2 Chronicles 28:3 and 2 Chronicles 33:6). This awful place of infanticide became a garbage dump full of burning sewage and sickening smoke that would arise continually. King Josiah stopped these child sacrifices and turned this into a garbage dump, as seen in 2 Kings 23:10. Jesus used this as a metaphorical example for the hell to come for those who would fail to place their faith and trust in Him for salvation.
It is this place where we are told that the tongue is set on fire by. What amazing imagery James has given us about the tongue! Why would he say such terrifying things about the tongue?
It is also interesting that this word "set on fire" is a present active verb indicating a continuing state.
This reminds us of the continual sinfulness of the tongue and how it will affect our entire life.
This tells us that corrupt speech and sinful speech is not just a speech problem. It is an entire person problem. It is a heart problem.
Those who continue living their lives with unrestrained words will show that they have a heart full of destruction.
True believers may struggle with their words, but they will not be dominated by a tongue that is full of unrestrained evil.
We will see this in more detail in our last point.
Finally, moving on to verses 7 and 8, we see further illustrations reminding us of the difficulty of taming the tongue…
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James tells us that we can tame every kind of beast, bird, reptile, and sea creature.
I'm sure all of you have seen pictures of whales or dolphins that can do amazing tricks. Maybe you've seen them even in person.
There are also people who can charm snakes and other types of animals. (You are welcome, Lauren, for not putting a picture of a snake, and instead choosing to put a picture of the cute dolphin jumping through the hoop.)
It is incredible what people can do when spending a lot of time training animals.
Yet it is also amazing how we cannot naturally tame the tongue. The tongue is called a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
The Greek word for restless here means unstable or ready to break out. It is like a caged and ravenous animal waiting for the opportunity to attack.
James wants us to know that the tongue in its natural state is evil. There is no good in man apart from God. Although we can reform and restrain ourselves somewhat in an unregenerate state, it is impossible to tame the tongue.
Only by the power of Christ working in and through us can we ever have any true power over the tongue.
How often do you say things that that you did not want to say? Before you knew it, the words came out of your mouth to never be able to be taken back.
Sometimes we say things and cannot even imagine where such awful things would come from.
Brothers and sisters, be sure that you evaluate what you say. Be sure that you understand the incredible danger and power of the tongue. Ask the Lord to keep you from the destructive effects of an unrestrained tongue.
And understand that what you say matters. Which brings us to our last point…
Scripture References: Philippians 4, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 18:21, 2 Chronicles 28:3, 2 Chronicles 33:6, 2 Kings 23:10
III. Words Reveal a Heart’s Declaration (9-12)
III. Words Reveal a Heart’s Declaration (9-12)
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 brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
James now moves on to remind us of the battle of hypocrisy. With our tongue, we bless our Lord and Father. We praise God through singing and through prayer. We read His Word aloud. We tell other people about Him with our mouth. We worship Him and exalt Him.
Yet with that same mouth, we may curse others who are made in the image of God. We can defame others and slander others with that same mouth that we use to praise God. We can spew hatred toward those with whom we are opposed.
This hypocrisy is illustrated in two different ways here. He asks a couple of rhetorical questions: "Can a spring pour forth both fresh and salt water?" Obviously, the answer to this rhetorical question is no. If there is salt water and fresh water that mix, the water all becomes salty. Salt water will spoil the entire fresh water source. At the end of verse 12, he reminds us that a salt pond cannot yield fresh water. Anyone who lives near a saltwater source has to have a water treatment facility that can deal with salt water.
In order to maintain a pure speech, we need a supernatural treatment of our mouths. We need the fresh living water of Jesus Christ springing up within our hearts. Only then can we avoid such hypocrisy.
In a similar way, he asks a second rhetorical question: can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? As Jesus reminds us, a tree is known by its fruit…
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.
The fruit that is born shows what kind of tree it grows on.
James is telling us that our fruit, namely our words, shows what is inside of our hearts.
In essence, our words reveal our heart's declaration.
What does your tongue declare? What does your mouth declare?
If you have taken a good look at your speech and realize that your mouth is not declaring the truth of the Gospel, what are you to do now?
What steps do you need to take in order to be sure that your tongue declares the truth of the Gospel?
How do we fight against sinful speech?
First, we must submit to Christ .
Be sure that you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. He came to earth and lived the sinless life that we couldn't live. He died on the cross in our place and took on our sin and shame. If we repent of our sins and place our faith and trust in him, we will have eternal life. That eternal life begins now. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, and through that power we can overcome sin - including sinful speech.
Second, we must be saturated in the Scriptures.
and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
The sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is our only offensive weapon against the evil one. We must fight against our sinful words through the power of the Holy Spirit through the Word.
Only after we have submitted our lives to Christ and have become saturated in the Scriptures can we…
Third, we must speak graciously.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
Our words should bring life and build others up, not tear others down. Our speech should be pure and not corrupt. And our speech should be full of grace.
Friends, we can only speak graciously if we are filled by the Spirit and we are saturated by the Word of God.
The same grace that saves us is the same grace that sustains us.
We must realize that we cannot battle our sin through our own flesh and our own efforts. We must understand that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, as Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us. We must also understand that our sanctification and growth are by grace, as the Holy Spirit works through us. Although we are to put effort in, that effort is only effective if the Holy Spirit is working in and through us.
Scripture References: Matthew 12:33, Ephesians 6:17, Ephesians 4:29, Ephesians 2:8-9
Conclusion:
As we come to a close, we have seen that the tongue is a reliable indicator of the heart.
Some experts have estimated that the average person will speak some 18,000 words in a single day. That is enough to fill a 54-page book every day. In a year, that amounts to sixty-six - 800 page volumes. Some estimates state that up to one-fifth of the average person's life is spent talking.
Brothers and sisters, how is your life being lived?
Your words are a clear measurement of the declaration of your heart.
What would a book with all of your life's words to be about? Would it be centered on Jesus and His Word?
I challenge you to spend some time today examining your words. Ask others around you how your speech is doing. Ask your spouse. Ask your kids. Ask your boss or employees. Ask your friends.
And then humbly ask the Lord to change you from the inside out. Ask him to do a mighty work in taming your tongue. Seek out counsel from His Word and from a godly mentor. Seek out accountability and watch the Lord do an amazing work in you.
He is faithful, and He can do it.
