Our Deadliest Weapon

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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.
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