On The Tip of My Tongue

Introduction:

The tongue is a significant part of the human anatomy. It is the chief organ of taste. It assists in the chewing and swallowing of food. The tongue plays an important role in forming the sounds of words and making it possible for us to communicate verbally with others. A mucous membrane called the lingual frenulum connects the middle of the under surface of the tongue to the bottom of the mouth, and if that membrane is too short so as to restrict the movement of the tongue, that person is said to be “tongue-tied”. A woman once said to John Wesley, “my talent is to speak my mind”. Wesley replied, “I don't think God would care at all if you buried that talent.” Much consideration should be given to the tongue and the ability to control it.

James 3:1–12 KJV 1900

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Background:

In a couple of places in the first chapter of his epistle, James mentioned limitation upon the tongue. He said, “wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”. Again he said, “if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain”. In these verses we are considering in chapter 3, James gave a classic on controlling the tongue.

Other Biblical verses:

Other places in the Bible offer warnings to the danger of an uncontrolled tongue. David said:

Psalm 39:1 KJV 1900

1 I said, I will take heed to my ways, That I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, While the wicked is before me.

King Solomon wrote:

Proverbs 21:23 KJV 1900

23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.

He previously said

Proverbs 18:21 KJV 1900

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Jesus stated the danger of not controlling the tongue and the words that one speaks:

Matthew 12:36–37 KJV 1900

36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

Matt 12:

James stressed in chapter 3 the ways in which the tongue may be used for either good or bad.

Transition: There are 4 declarations about the tongue that we can take note of today:

I. The Tongue is an Instrument of Deception- ,

A. The Danger- James is discussing those who are in the position of giving forth and expounding information.

What is the association between the tongue and teaching?

He informs us that the tongue is a method of communication.

The words tongue and language are often used interchangeably.

With the tongue we may teach truth or error.

The danger in being a teacher is the potential of teaching error or heresy.

James make it clear that care must be exercised by those in these positions.

Look at vs 1 and 2 again. A teacher, a preacher, a pastor, and yes, even a TV evangelist has a divine duty before God and an ethical duty before mankind to teach and to preach the truth of God.

Unfortunately, many have been guilty of leading others astray with their deceptive teachings.

They shall be held in judgement. James said, “we shall receive the greater condemnation”.

B. The Duty- It is our duty not to offend in word.

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body” Vs 2.

If we teach error, we offend in word.

If we indulge in malicious gossip, we offend in word.

If we slant the truth of God, we offend in word.

If we lie, we offend in word.

If we hurt the feelings of others, we offend in word.

It is our duty to bridle (control) the tongue to be the perfect or complete person.

James was admonishing Jewish believers in positions of leadership and teaching them to be careful not to use the tongue as an instrument of deception.

II. The Tongue is an Instrument of Direction-

A. The Power of the Tongue to Direct- James uses the illustration of placing a bit in the mouth of a horse to guide and direct the animal.

Vs 3 Behold…The ability to turn the body of an animal that weighs hundreds of pounds with a small metal bit is compared to the power of the tongue.

I remember when I was a teenager, my dad and I went rode horses with my uncle. I wasn’t a very experienced rider, but I knew how to ride. We rode for quite a while and wherever I pulled the reins the horse would follow. I was able to guide this horse to where I wanted it to go.

The human tongue is like a bit in the mouth of the horse; it is an instrument of direction.

The tongue is like a rudder which turns a huge ship Vs 4.

It is so neat to think that the massive ships that you can cruise on is steered by something so small compared to the rest of the ship.

James compared the power of the tongue with small instruments that guide massive means of transportation.

The tongue has power to guide and direct.

He then goes on to illustrate even further that the tongue is like a small spark of fire. A giant forest of valuable timber can be destroyed by a small spark from an ember.

B. The power of the tongue to direct individuals- If the tongue has the power to deceive, it also has the power to direct.

A tongue of love can turn a teenager from a life of disillusionment to physical, spiritual and emotional fulfillment.

It is important that parents tell their children that they love them.

Teen suicide is a tragedy that is all to real.

The tongue of compassion can turn away the pain of loneliness in the life of a shut-in or aged person.

Many are confined to care facilities and assisted living facilities who have no one to care or visit them. This is a tragedy.

The tongue of concern can turn a lost soul from eternal hell to eternal Heaven with the instructions of the gospel.

What a wonderful way of using the tongue to share the gospel with others.

The tongue of wisdom will shut itself up to allow the ears to listen to others who have something they want to share.

It is always good to resist the temptation to top the last story—the biggest fish, the hole in one and the tennis serve that aced the opponent.

Use the tongue to point others in the right direction.

The survey of two groups. One group were told they did better than the other...

III. The Tongue is an Instrument of Destruction-

A. The Tongue is a Fire- Fire under control can heat our homes, warm our water and cook our meals. Fire out of control can destroy houses, burn forests and inflict terrible pain on human bodies.

The tongue out of control is a dangerous instrument.

James gives us this warning in VS 6.

Unbelievable results have come from a tongue that is unbridled.

Hearts have been broke, lives have been damaged, and myriads of other destructive hurts have occurred.

The unbridled tongue is like a huge fire out of control destroying valuable assets in its wake.

B. The Tongue is Untamable- James continues with his vivid illustrations.

he describes the taming and domesticating of wild animals in Vs 7.

He explains that all of these creatures of the wild can and have been tamed.

Such continues to be the case today.

All of us are aware of those creatures of the wild, of the air, and of the sea that have been domesticated.

It is amazing to watch as various demonstrations have been performed by animals, even birds of the air and creatures of the sea.

But James declares that the tongue cannot be tamed; it is a turbulent evil Vs 8.

However, remember , although the tongue cannot be tamed, it can be bridled.

Consequently, the tongue should be overpowered and controlled.

C. The Tongue is a Lethal Weapon- The tongue is an instrument of destruction.

It has been used to kill a reputation.

The tongue has been an instrument to kill an influence.

The tongue is a destructive weapon for injury, pain, and even death.

Only God can tame the tongue. Turn it over to Him.

An instrument of deception, destruction, direction, and also...

IV. The Tongue is an Instrument of Devotion-

A. The Tongue can be used to Curse- James further bares the truth in vs 9 and 10.

Hypocrisy often is work of an unbridled tongue.

Some attend church on Sunday, sing in the choir, teach in the classes, offer praises in the worship services and then curse on Monday.

James stressed, in verse 10” these things ought not so to be”.

He says that a fountain doesn’t send sweet and bitter water at the same time.

He illustrates that a fig tree produces no olives, and a grape vine produces no figs.

One is not a Christian from whose tongue issues slander, malice, gossip, lies, heresies, vulgarities, profanities and blasphemies!

B. The Tongue can and ought to be used as an instrument of devoted praise and blessing to God.

James said, in verse 9 Therewith bless we God”.

We quickly want to pass over the places that emphasize how the tongue can be used as an instrument of destruction, and pass to the places that emphasize the tongue being used as an instrument of devotion.

The most beautiful musical instrument in the world is the human voice. To hear large choirs singing Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus in praise to God is an unparalleled delight.

At all costs, avoid the inconsistency.

Conclusion:

What Does God want me to do?

Be slow to speak, weigh your words carefully.

By the power of the Holy Spirit allow your tongue to be tamed, controlled. Can’t do it on your own.

Reveal who you really are in Christ by the words you speak. Avoid inconsistent speech.