Faith and the Tongue

James to this Point

Ask for wisdom, joy when trials (world forces push against you), slow to speak, true faith shown by works

James expects letter to be received and accepted by DISCIPLES

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me

End chapter 1 - keep unstained by the world, forces of world/evil

Typically starts with speech

OVERALL - The Tongue is small but mighty

Luke 6:45 NASB95

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

Proverbs 10:19 NASB95

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalm 140:3 NASB95

They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

Prov 10

Proverbs 25:11 NASB95

Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

1) Warning - Truth is Crucial

Proverbs 18:6–7 NASB95

A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Speech is one of the hardest areas to keep from sin

1) Warning - Truth is Crucial

BASIC of Jesus: , speech is judged)

Good teachers have good “tongues” (speech metaphor)

Disciples need to trust source of truth

Church needs to be a key source

ALL believers are to be disciplined disciples - this is not just for the teachers mentioned

Not necessarily easy, this takes work

REMEMBER

James 1:26 NASB95

If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.

2) Tongue/Speech Comparisons

Metaphors - “is LIKE” (large, powerful illustrations, with small piece guiding, controlling, actually “giving direction”)

Bridle/Bit - Horse

Rudder - Ship (a ship without one is just adrift, tossed about by whatever force, wind, etc.)

Direct Comparison - “IS”

FIRE - hillside brush in area could catch fire and be devastating

IF, IF we can control tongue, more likely to control the rest of life

“perfect” = mature, complete, sanctification work in progress

3) Product of Discipled, Spirit-filled Life (Gal. 5)

Disciple-Speak

Speech that Encourages

Speech that Edifies

Speech that Tells of Christ

Speech that is Pure - Perfect, Mature, Complete

MANY CLAIM FAITH, BUT LACK THE SPEECH THAT WOULD DEMONSTRATE IT

James invokes the likeness of God, in how we deal with other believers (1 race, image of God)

The Product of a Disciple’s Speech

Tree - figs

Vine - grapes

MOUTH - blessing? Cursing? Both?

A spring may have mixture of fresh and salt - worthless

A spring that has fresh water will NEVER produce salty, bitter water

The discipled life is consistent

A true disciple will not produce speech that dishonors God

DISCOURAGEMENT - perhaps one of the most deadly forms of speech

We are unique in that we can make this choice, how we are directed

True faith does what is natural with being born of the Spirit = PRAISES AND BLESSES!

The tongue is a poison, as in:

Psalm 140:3 NASB95

They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips. Selah.

If bent to evil, the whole body will end up perverted

REM , the serpent’s speech? (James brings up CREATION here)

BASIC - READ ,

CAUTIONS

Works can look good, and speech can undo it all, defining you

Speech can sound right, but outward life is in contrast

Man’s tongue is un-tameable - If we think we can control it, exhibit self-control, we are self-deceived

Need GOD’s speech, the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, His Grace

God co-pilot, or pilot? :)

The tongue can destroy, no matter how the body looks or what we do, can undo so much good

(ASIDE: we have lost the ability to speak well, with texting, FB messaging, very hard to “hear” and “see”

If we fail in speech, based on our desires, how we lack control of tongue, it can be tough to recover from the characterization

A person acts how he desires to be oriented, directed - What is the desire of your heart?

How Do We Honor God?

To dishonor humans is to dishonor God

Praising God - highest form of speech

Cursing man - lowest

Humans (BASIC truths here, from Origins)

Made for God

Fashioned to KNOW Him

Reflect His attributes

HOW DOES GOD LOOK WHEN WE SHOW HIM TO PEOPLE

WHAT IS THE IMPRESSION WE LEAVE WHEN PEOPLE HEAR US SPEAK?

Gossip? Hatred? Or is He non-existent, because we DON’T speak of Him?

James says, do not have “restless” tongue (same as in 1:8 - double-minded)

IF YOU PRAISE GOD, AND CURSE/DISHONOR MAN - IS YOUR PRAISE GENUINE?

So How Do We Honor Him?

Wise speech

Speech that is unambiguous

Tell people of Christ, and your relationship

Defend the brethren, often silence is golden

Proverbs 10:19 NASB95

When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Prov

Correct an error

Proverbs 6:2–3 NASB95

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.

Proverbs 6:2–3 NASB95

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, Have been caught with the words of your mouth, Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself; Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor, Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.

Use God’s Word properly, to serve Him powerfully!

**The person not right with God, not walking with Him daily, CANNOT consistently speak pure and helpful words

CHALLENGE

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me - WRONG

TRUTH - Easier to heal from sticks and stones wounds than to recover from the damage of words

When it comes to speech, what does your discipled life sound like?

People do what they do because of what they are really saying, SO...

Need right desire to control tongue

Need wisdom

Ask for it - according to Word

Pray - according to Word and Spirit’s leading

Receive guidance

Get wisdom, mature

Follow Godly desire

**Do you see these positives?

Encourage, praise, affirmation, truth, Gospel, a fit word?

BASIC - - fruitful disciple

Proverbs 25:11 NASB95

Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances.

James spends a good amount of time and space to discuss how we control our tongues, our speech.

So, DISCIPLES, how are we doing?

So, DISCIPLES, let’s use ours to praise God, to bless others.