Defiled tongue
Notes
Transcript
INTRODUCTION:
A. Few things disrupt families,churches,and all our relationships like the misuse of words.
1. Some may think what I say doesn't matter.James says it does!
2. If our Faith is Real,we will allow our active,living faith to change what we say and how we say it.
3. Many readily condemn worldly activities,yet engage in gossip,backbiting,slander,etc.
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.
James
B.James has already addressed the issue of the tongue.
1. , ;
2.Here is the KEY, the SOLUTION to most of the problems we face in life.
3.How important are our words? "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction”
4.As James informs us about the tongue, notice...
.4.As James informs us about the tongue,notice... I.A COMPELLING IMPERATIVE...vV.1-2 James uses yet another imperative.If we have a REAL FAITH,we will control our tongues.One area the tongue is needed is in the ar ea of teaching.However, James gives a prohibitive imperative concerning teach- ers.Notice... A.The Reality of It...v.1a "My brethren,be not many masters I.James is not suggesting we do not need teach- ers-we do need them!His command is"don't wuish to become a teacher:Not everyone is ified to be a teacher. 2.“MASTERS"(didaskalos) Dlaved a big role in leadership among the eau. teacher,rabbi churches.Often respect,Prominence,and.y thority were associated with this positin. (Vaughan). 3 Jewish synagogue services allowed peoplet. talk:practically anyone could get a hearing 4.Just because you have the right and opporty nity to talk doesn't mean you should.Curb tall. ativeness,reckless statements,abusive language etc(Hiebert). B.The Reason for It...v.1b “Knowing that we shall receive the greater condem- nation” 1.“CONDEMNATION” judgment,decision. Teachers are held to a higher standard,more strict judgment.As it should be!Teachers judged with a“stricter”judgment,more severe judgment. 2.Greater influence and greater judgment means greater responsibility-accountability. C.The Revelation of It...v.2 man,and able also to bridle the whole body." "If any man offend not in word,the same is a perfect 1.“OFFEND”to cause to stumble.We are capa- ued progress.”Be careful not to we speak."After recovery there can be contin- ble of causing others to stumble by the words stumble by what you say! cause others to
2.“PERFECT"complete,perfect,
mature;a full-
grown man.Our ability to control the tongue reveals where we are in our Christian maturity. We are not sinless, but we can reveal spiritual matruity by controlling the tongue.
I. A COMPELLING IMPERATIVE...vV.1-2
James uses yet another imperative.If we have a REAL FAITH,we will control our tongues.One area the tongue is needed is in the ar ea of teaching.However, James gives a prohibitive imperative concerning teachers. Notice...
A.The Reality of It...v.1a "My brethren,be not many masters
I.James is not suggesting we do not need teachers-we do need them! His command is"don't rush to become a teacher:Not everyone is qualified to be a teacher.
2.“MASTERS"(didaskalos) teacher,rabbi. played a big role in leadership among the early churches. Often respect, Prominence,and authority were associated with this position. (Vaughan).
3 Jewish synagogue services allowed people to talk: practically anyone could get a hearing.
4.Just because you have the right and opportunity to talk doesn't mean you should. Curb talkativeness, reckless statements, abusive language etc(Hiebert).
Curb tall. ativeness,reckless statements,abusive language etc(Hiebert). B.The Reason for It...v.1b “Knowing that we shall receive the greater condem- nation” 1.“CONDEMNATION” judgment,decision. Teachers are held to a higher standard,more strict judgment.As it should be!Teachers judged with a“stricter”judgment,more severe judgment. 2.Greater influence and greater judgment means greater responsibility-accountability. C.The Revelation of It...v.2 man,and able also to bridle the whole body." "If any man offend not in word,the same is a perfect 1.“OFFEND”to cause to stumble.We are capa- ued progress.”Be careful not to we speak."After recovery there can be contin- ble of causing others to stumble by the words stumble by what you say! cause others to
2.“PERFECT"complete,perfect,
mature;a full-
grown man.Our ability to control the tongue reveals where we are in our Christian maturity. We are not sinless, but we can reveal spiritual matruity by controlling the tongue.
B. The Reason for It...v.1b “Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation”
1.“CONDEMNATION” judgment,decision. Teachers are held to a higher standard,more strict judgment. As it should be! Teachers judged with a“stricter”judgment,more severe judgment.
2. Greater influence and greater judgment means greater responsibility-accountability.
C.The Revelation of It...v.2 man,and able also to bridle the whole body." "If any man offend not in word,the same is a perfect
1.“OFFEND”to cause to stumble. We are capable of causing others to stumble by the words we speak.”Be careful not to we speak. "After recovery there can be continued progress”. Be careful not to cause others to stumble by what you say!
2.“PERFECT"complete,perfect, mature;a full-grown man. Our ability to control the tongue reveals where we are in our Christian maturity. We are not sinless, but we can reveal spiritual maturity by controlling the tongue.
3. James amplifies spiritual maturity by stating, “able also to bridle the whole body.” Their life is in control. Since the tongue is the most difficult to keep under control, if a person can control the tongue it stands to reason he can control other areas of his life.
4. It is an awesome responsibility to stand and teach. Should not be entered into lightly. Words should be weighed. Be careful not to cause others to stumble. Applying James’ test to your life, how spiritually mature are you?
II. A Clear Illustration…vv. 3-5
As is Jame’s pattern, he now gives an illustration of the danger and power of the tongue. His illustration is so vivid and alive we cannot miss the meaning. He illustrates by calling attention to...
A. Bits Control Horses...
A. Bits Control Horses...
1.The purpose of bridling the horse is to bring him into obedience, not just his tongue but the whole horse. The horse is naturally self-willed/ungovernable. Can be tamed, governed.
2.The bit is nothing in size compared to the size of the body, yet by controlling the tongue the whole body is controlled. “The tongue is a relatively small member of our bodies, but by controlling the tongue we can control all the passions of our nature” (Vaughn)
B. Rudders control ships...
1.The emphasis on the contrast between the great size of the ship and the smallness of the helm.
2.In spite of the bulk and the force of the winds, the movement of these ships can be controlled by a “very small helm”
3.The rudder caused the ship to go wherever the captain willed
4. Both illustrations point to the fact that we must exercise self-control
C. Application…v 5
1. The horses mouth is small compared to the size of its body; the ship’s rudder is small compared to the whole ship; but though small, each controls the whole.
2. The tongue is comparatively small to the rest of our body, but it affects the whole of our life. though the tongue is small, it talks big! In spite of its smallness, it can do great things.
3. Illustration: Brag, lie, exaggerate; or comfort, encourage, etc.
III. A CONDEMNED INIQUITY…vv 6-8
James now moves to show us the danger of the tongue and the damage it can inflict in one’s life.
A. It is Defiling…v. 6
1. The tongue is like a fire speaks of its destructive nature,If left alone,it's as dangerous as a wild fire,It is active,aggressive.
2. The tongue is a vast system connected with"iniquity,"that which is unjust and unrighteous in character(Hiebert).
3. An uncontrolled tongue DEFILES. A moral stain, spot. The tongue used in the wrong way pollutes man.
B. It is Dangerous...vv.7-8 "Unruly evil"
1. Vs.7 we can tame every kind of animal. We can tame the TIGER, but not the TONGUE.
2. The tongue cannot be tamed. Man is inherently unable to control the tongue.
3. “UNRULY” unstable, restless, unruly. The tongue is unreliable, untrustworthy.
C. It is Deadly...v.8 "Full of deadly poison"
1. The tongue is death-bearing.It is venomous.
2. It is like the serpent's tongue-bringing deadly poison.
IV. A CORRECTED INCONSISTENCY...vv.9-12
A. Blessing and Cursing...v.10 "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing"
1. The tongue has the ability to play the part of Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde.
2. “BLESS”to speak well of,extol.To celebrate God;to praise God is the noblest activity in which we can engage our tongues.
3. Curse” evil use of the tongue. To call down a curse on someone was an expression fo ill-will
4. Fact: Blessings and Cursings reveal the moral deficit in a person’s life.
5. “These things ought not be” this kind of inconsistency should grieve us. It’s a moral abnormality.
B. Sweet and Bitter…v. 11
B. Sweet and Bitter…v. 11 “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”
1.Gushing wells do not bring forth sweet water and bitter at the same time;w ells do not alternate.
2. Disappointing to expect sweet water only to get bitter water. Someone needs “sweet” words from you and how disappointed they will be if the only words they get are “bitter”.
C. Fig Tree and Olive Berries…v. 12 “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries”?
1. Orchards and vineyards cannot be inconsistent. Each produces according to its own nature. Law of God in nature: like produces like.
2. 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.
