Our Deadliest Weapon

James 3:1–10 NKJV

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:1–10 NKJV

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

Introduction

The Book of James - A book of Action

Faith is not something intangible that does nothing

Faith without works is dead

James 2:14–19 NKJV

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

James teaches of a Faith that links with God and changes every part of life

James 3:1–18 NKJV

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Faith must also have its Influence over the Tongue

Faith must also have its Influence over the Tongue

This chapter of James is devoted mostly to this little member of our bodies

They say dynamite comes in small packages - it is certainly true of our tongues

Body

The Tongue’s Tremendous Power in Relation to its Size (vs. 1–5)

Consider how hard we have top work to make the rest of our body strong - (bodybuilder’s and sports)

Yet, the tongue has so much power in such a small place

James compares it to Bits in horses mouths … rudders of ships

Changes in the course of life

“I do” in marriage

other vows, and lies, and words that define character and reputation

The power of the tongue has changed the course of nations

Patrick Henry’s cry

b. Patrick Henry’s cry

William Wilberforce

Martin Luther King Jr.

Adolph Hitler

The tongue is like a fire … destructive:

“The tongue can speak a word whose speed, Outstrips the very fastest steed”

Outstrips the very fastest steed”

It is like a spark near gasoline- just a few words to ignite such a blaze

The Terrible Peril of the Tongue Untamed by the Power of God (vs. 6–8)

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity”

The tongue can defile the whole body (v. 6)

Not only does the tongue influence evil in others, it brings it within us

negative words mix with faith and bring destruction in our own lives as well as others

Ultimately, defiles our whole body (how can we eat with those mouths?)

an uncontrolled tongue is responsible for setting the course of our whole lives on fire - burning down everything along the way

I cannot overstate the importance of this - WATCH YOUR MOUTH

And it does not matter who you are saying it to - it defiles the whole body

People often preface their flamethrowers as some confidence in me — “well, I’m just saying this to you....” --- as if the fire can be controlled once unleashed -

It defiles the whole body - your body---

The tongue is set on fire of hell

Our tongues don’t burn with their own fire -

James tells us that they themselves are set on fire by hell

Don’t think that you are not being influenced by demons when you speak in anger, wrath, cursings, insults, etc.

Think about it - pray about it - are these words inspired by The Holy Spirit? Then who?

Families torn apart by uncontrolled tongues

Words spoken in anger between husbands and wives burn so deep and for so long

Harsh words spoken by Christians to one another

Board meetings … congregational meetings … groups

Full of deadly poison

Critical tongues have closed church doors

Don’t underestimate the effect of this poison

Like so many poisons, go on to destroy long after initial contact

And don’t think yourselves immune

Instead, what if we never allow a negative or critical word to pass your lips?

The Thrilling Possibilities of A God-Controlled Tongue (v. 9)

“Therewith bless we God”

We do not have to curse men with our tongues

consider what we could do

: “Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”

Romans 10:9 NKJV

9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

rom

Jesus said in : “Witness unto me”

The opportunity of witnessing

The tongue’s highest purpose

Teaching a class

Training our children in the way of the Lord

Speaking a tender word to a troubled soul

anyone can do this - you may not even know what others are going thru -

kind words should be automatic - can make a difference - encourage and strengthen - (recent testimony)

Speaking words to bring peace between enemies

It is so easy to stir up strife - But Jesus said “blessed are the peacemakers”

Telling friends and associates of God’s love for them

Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ()

: “Let my mouth be filled with thy praise”

Using out tongues this way, fills our whole bodies with vitality and strength, health and life. the opposite of the defilement

Conclusion

Consider How God Changes the Tongues of Men

Moses, lacking eloquence, then speaking to Pharoah

Peter, cursing then preaching on Pentecost

Paul, consenting to Stephen’s death then Telling the Good News to the whole world

Submit your Tongue to God

See How Many are Helped.

“Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,

But a good word maketh it glad” ()

Proverbs 12:25 NKJV

25 Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad.