The Power of the Tongue

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 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. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 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. 5 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! 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. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

II. The Need to Control the Tongue (3:1-2)

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James A. The Need to Control the Tongue (vv. 1–2)

SUPPORTING IDEA: Those who misuse the tongue receive God’s condemnation.

Main idea: Those who misuse the tongue receive God’s condemnation.

Should we not aspire to teach? Is James discouraging some from communicating the gospel?

No, we should be more concerned about our fitness for teaching than the benefits we might receive from the office.

Holman New Testament Commentary: Hebrews & James A. The Need to Control the Tongue (vv. 1–2)

God’s Word does not discourage people from assuming the position of a teacher. It raises the dignity of the position by pointing out the dangers and responsibilities of the office for those who might otherwise neglect these requirements.

Should we be silent?

The bible does not call us to silence, in fact just the opposite.

The Bible calls us to be empowered/controlled by the Holy Spirit and used for the glory of God.

Example: (we usually draw two conclusions from this verse; drinking bad/hymns good)

Ephesians 5:18–19 ESV

18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,

The direct context of this verse is about “control”. Don’t allow anything to control you except the Holy Spirit!

III. The Power of the Tongue (3:3-6)

Main idea: The tongue is a small organ, but it can control and influence major events in life.

3 illustrations are given as an example of the power of the tongue:

2 are given as a picture of small objects being able to control large objects. (horse bits and ship rudders)

1 is given as an example of how a small object can destroy a much larger object (flame can destroy a huge forest)

By nature the tongue could serve as a divisive instrument of evil.

By grace the tongue can become an instrument of positive blessing (). We must not conclude that our tongue is doomed to be an instrument of discord and strife. God can mold an abusive tongue into a force for good and righteousness.d

By nature the tongue could serve as a divisive instrument of evil. By grace the tongue can become an instrument of positive blessing (). We must not conclude that our tongue is doomed to be an instrument of discord and strife. God can mold an abusive tongue into a force for good and righteousness.d

By grace the tongue can become an instrument of positive blessing

Colossians 4:6 ESV

6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

We must not conclude that our tongue is doomed to be an instrument of divisiveness and strife. God can mold an abusive tongue into a force for good and righteousness.

IV. The Rebellion of the Tongue (3:7-8)

By nature the tongue could serve as a divisive instrument of evil. By grace the tongue can become an instrument of positive blessing (Col. 4:6). We must not conclude that our tongue is doomed to be an instrument of discord and strife. God can mold an abusive tongue into a force for good and righteousness.IV. The Rebellion of the Tongue (3:7-8)

Main idea: We can tame all types of animals, but no one can tame the rebellious nature of the tongue.

David grew to be a man of military renown who fought powerful enemy’s. He realized that one of the most dangerous enemy’s were those who attack with words:

Turn to .

Psalm 64:1–10 ESV

1 Hear my voice, O God, in my complaint; preserve my life from dread of the enemy. 2 Hide me from the secret plots of the wicked, from the throng of evildoers, 3 who whet their tongues like swords, who aim bitter words like arrows, 4 shooting from ambush at the blameless, shooting at him suddenly and without fear. 5 They hold fast to their evil purpose; they talk of laying snares secretly, thinking, “Who can see them?” 6 They search out injustice, saying, “We have accomplished a diligent search.” For the inward mind and heart of a man are deep. 7 But God shoots his arrow at them; they are wounded suddenly. 8 They are brought to ruin, with their own tongues turned against them; all who see them will wag their heads. 9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. 10 Let the righteous one rejoice in the Lord and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!

How “ironic” is it that man can tame the wildest and most powerful beasts on earth but cannot control his own tongue.

Verse 8 says the tongue is “restless”, meaning “unstable”.

Websters: “Lacking or denying rest; continually moving”

Example: Handling a snake

V. The Double-Mindedness of the Tongue (3:9-12)

Main idea: We show our moral inconsistency by using the same tongue both to bless God and to insult his creatures.

Verse 9 mentions both a positive and a negative use of the tongue.

Verse 9 mentions both a positive and a negative use of the tongue. The positive use involved praise of God, the highest function of human speech (see ). The negative use involved cursing human beings. Cursing refers to personal verbal abuse, perhaps arising from loss of temper in an argument or debate. It also involves the expression of angry wishes on enemies. It includes speech which is insulting as well as profane.d

The positive use involved praise of God, the highest function of human speech (see ).

Psalm 103:1–5 ESV

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, 3 who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, 5 who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The negative use involved cursing human beings. Being divisive.

Cursing refers to personal verbal abuse, perhaps arising from loss of temper in an argument or debate.

It also involves the expression of angry wishes on enemies. It includes speech which is insulting as well as profaned

Example: Teaching my boys to look people in the eye and say “yes, sir” or “no, sir”. No matter their treatment of you.

“If you can’t even show common respect for someone you are showing your lack of maturity in God. In fact, you are serving Satan’s purpose by your dismissal of them.

“Your opinion of someone need to line up with God’s opinion of them, and He sent His son to die for everyone.”

VI. The Need for Wisdom in Speech and Life (3:13-18)

Main idea: Believers with real wisdom avoid envy and selfish ambition; they produce peace and righteousness.

A challenge to demonstrate wisdom by behavior (v. 13)

A. A challenge to demonstrate wisdom by behavior

Read verse 13,

The opening rhetorical question asks how we can show that we have wisdom.

The opening rhetorical question asks how we can show that we have wisdom. Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct. Understanding pictures someone with the knowledge of an expert. We are to show the presence of wisdom by good deeds practiced with humility. Only obedient deeds, not mere talk, prove the presence of wisdom.v

Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct.

We are to show the presence of wisdom by good deeds practiced with humility. Only obedient deeds, not mere talk, prove the presence of wisdom.

Humility refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking.

Humility refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking. The person with humility is not a doormat for the desires of others, but controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to be arrogant and self-assertive. Non-Christianf

The person with humility is not a doormat for the desires of others, but controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to be arrogant and self-assertive.

Even when you are involved in a disagreement, you must demonstrate a gentleness and kindness of attitude. You must banish all contentiousness and mutual accusation.

Is it more important to display God’s truth in love or prove that we “know” the truth and “You don’t”. Many Christians confuse the two.

The wrong response - false wisdom (v. 14-16)

Envy - desire to promote one’s opinion to the exclusion of the opinions of others

Selfish Ambition - tries to promote a cause in an un-ethical manner.

Disorder - describes anarchy, disturbance, division.

Bitter envy, selfish ambition, and disorder?

Unfortunately, 3 things that Christians have become professional at.

No matter

The right response - true wisdom (v. 17-18)

Pure - putting aside vices like factionalism and self-seeking attitude.

Peace-loving - promotes peace in the face of opposition.

Considerate - being reasonable with your demands on others.

Submissive - willingness to learn from others; being teachable

FULL of mercy - compassionate to those in distress

Good fruit - kind actions and helpful deeds

Unwavering without pretense - without prejudice

Over the years Christians in various churches have developed wide differences in their social practices.

Over the years Christians in various churches have developed wide differences in their social practices. American Christians from the South sometimes oppose mixed swimming, but they may offend a Christian from the North by their cultivation and use of tobacco. Christians differ in their preferences for English versions of the Bible. Some regard the use of certain modern translations as sure signs of compromise and moral apostasy. European Christians live in a culture which more readily accepts the use of alcohol by believers. Many American Christians find it hard to tolerate this acceptance. American women almost never feel compelled to wear a covering for their heads to worship services. Among many eastern European Christian groups it is expected that women will wear a covering, even if it is only a scarf. Each of these circumstances demands a response of peace and consideration to prevent strife, factionalism, and petty quarreling.

American Christians from the South sometimes oppose mixed swimming, but they may offend a Christian from the North by their cultivation and use of tobacco.

Christians differ in their preferences for English versions of the Bible. Some regard the use of certain modern translations as sure signs of compromise and moral apostasy.

European Christians live in a culture which more readily accepts the use of alcohol by believers. Many American Christians find it hard to tolerate this acceptance.

American women almost never feel compelled to wear a covering for their heads to worship services. Among many eastern European Christian groups it is expected that women will wear a covering, even if it is only a scarf.

Each of these circumstances demands a response of peace and consideration to prevent strife, factionalism, and petty quarreling. God wants people to control their tongues and display wisdom.

VII. Application

Control your tongue and show a maturity in your attitudes and impulses.

Be consistent in the use of your tongue, not letting curses for people made in God’s image come from the same tongue that praises do.

Control your tongue to show a mastery of your attitudes and impulses.

• Be consistent in the use of your tongue, not letting curses for people made in God’s image come from the same tongue that praises.

Do not treasure your goals and ambitions so much that you become prideful and deny God’s truth.

Cultivate an outlook that treasures the viewpoints and considers the needs of others.

• Do not treasure your goals and ambitions so much that you become prideful and deny God’s truth.

Ask God to help you develop true wisdom as the dominating characteristic of your life.

• Cultivate an outlook that treasures the viewpoints and considers the needs of others.

• Ask God to help you develop true wisdom as the dominating characteristic of your life.

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