The Power Of The Tongue

MARCH 11, 2020- STUDY NOTES-JAMES 3:5-7--BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES THE POWER OF THE TONGUE Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! Just like the bit in the horses’ mouth is very small compared to the size of the horse, Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Just like the rudder on the ship being very small compared to the size of the ship, Jas 3:4 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. Just like those 2 examples, we all have a very “little member” of the body known as “the tongue” James 3 is the classic NT chapter on the subject-of the tongue, but the Bible often speaks of the tongue Many verses make-reference to the sinful tongue, such as, Psa 12:2 They speak vanity everyone with his neighbor: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak. The evil of the heart is expressed through the lips, words that are unstable and useless Because they come from a double-heart or literally a double-mind, which James spoke of, Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. The tongue of a double mind will go in two different directions resulting in useless words But those words are powerful and destructive which James now explains James uses the destruction of a forest fire to show how destructive the tongue can be Jas 3:6 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. What an illustration, there are five powerful statements made in the sixth verse Just like the previous verse indicated, the tongue is as dangerous as a wildfire There are many OT passages that confirm what James is saying, “the tongue is a fire,” Psa 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. Those lions are of Satan, breathing forth fire, coming from a tongue as sharp as a sword There is a description of Satan’s forces, especially in the last days, found in, Pro 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire. He is an ungodly man, literally, he is a worthless scoundrel, he is good for nothing He digs up evil, his desire is to hurt others, notice how he is going to do that Through his lips that are like “a flame of fire,” he spreads fire with his tongue What James says is true, “the tongue is a fire,” it is also a world of iniquity: The present world system is “a world of unrighteousness,” it is a world of evil John compares the Christian and the world, 1Jn 5:19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. The “tongue” is capable of all kinds of wickedness, influenced by a wicked world Jesus spoke of the iniquity of the tongue, Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man. Peter asked Jesus to explain His words, Mat 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. Jesus answered, Mat 15:16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? His answer was, what comes out of the mouth represents what is inside the heart, Mat 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Jesus describes the iniquity that comes forth from the heart and through the tongue, Mat 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: Notice the beginning is an evil thought, then evil acts, and the evil tongue is right there with them The tongue is “a world of iniquity” that can destroy an individual, a family, or a church The total being of man can be corrupted by the tongue, that is what James says next-so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, The uncontrolled tongue will leave stains and blemishes upon the life Like an infectious sore, it can scar and blemish for life, it can poison the whole body The tongue can damage the mind, the heart, and do emotional damage to the soul and setteth on fire the course of nature; The tongue turns the wheel of life, round and round life goes, and the tongue controls Fire can be good, fire identified with the presence of the Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. The sound represented the Holy Spirit’s presence and power The wind was the audible sign that the promise of God to send the Spirit was fulfilled In verse 3 we have the visual sign of the Spirit’s arrival, Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (The visible sign of “cloven tongues like as of fire”) The cloven tongues of fire, was the evidence of God’s presence in the person of the Holy Spirit Fire also identified with the presence of God when He appeared to Moses, Act 7:30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush. (Which was a “Holy Fire”) The account is God calling Moses and the place is identified as “Holy Ground” In a vision, John saw the throne of God, Rev 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. (The “fire” is associated with the perfection and fulness of the Holy Spirit) So, fire is often used in reference to the works of God, but the fire that James speaks of is not of God and it is set on fire of hell We are now told why the uncontrolled tongue is “a fire,” and a “world of iniquity” The tongue that is filled with such destruction is “of hell,” the word translated “hell” is “Gehenna” Other than Jesus, James is the only one that uses the term in the NT In the day of Jesus, it was the garbage dump of Jerusalem and identified as a horrible place Jesus used this place as a symbol of “Hell,” the place prepared for the Devil and his angels, Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: James is telling us that the destruction of the uncontrolled tongue comes from Satan’s home And represents fire that will never be quenched, Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. (Exact same words are stated 3 times, Mk 9:44, 46, 48) Satan uses the tongue of man to put people through “hell on earth” In Satan’s war against the Christian and the church, the tongue is on the front line of attack We must keep in mind that Satan is “the father of lies,” Joh 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. (Satan can and will use our tongue to spread those lies) We must also keep in mind that Satan is “the accuser of the brethren,” Rev 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Satan can and will use our tongue to destroy the reputation and testimony of one another) His words are like a drop of poison, they are deadly and can quickly destroy A tongue of fire that pollutes, corrupts, and destroys with all-of the characteristics of “Hell” We must determine that our tongue will not be used by Satan, Psa 17:3 Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress. We must be determined that Satan will not use our tongue for his lies and destruction, Psa 39:1 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. The psalmist said, we must continually be on guard because it is so easy to sin with the tongue The tongue must be used to tell people about Jesus and the way of the Christian life The vocabulary of a Christian should instruct and encourage the Christian life Look at some OT references, Psa 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Our prayer must be that the words out of our mouth are words that are acceptable to God Which will be true if our words come from a heart of meditating upon the Word of God We find a testimony of such meditation in, Psa 104:34 My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD. Being careful of what we say preserves our life and manifests our spirituality, Pro 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. To guard the mouth is to guard the life, Pro 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. Being careful of what you say keeps you out of trouble, an uncontrolled tongue will keep you in trouble Christians are to reply to harsh words with gentle words, Pro 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The “wise” speak from a controlled tongue and speak words of acceptable knowledge, Pro 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. A “fool” speaks from an uncontrolled tongue and spews out foolish talk It is important that we realize others are hearing what we say, but keep in mind, Pro 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good. (The Lord is omnipresent, present at all-times) And the Lord is omniscient, knowing all things at all-times, even the thoughts of our heart Be sure that your tongue speaks “wholesome” words, Pro 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit (Which is a healing tongue ministering life unto others) Those who have partaken of the “Bread of Life” can feed many, Pro 10:21 The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom. From the controlled tongue comes forth words of nourishment and health, Pro 16:24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. The NT instructs us in the right use of the tongue, Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. “Corrupt communication” refers to more than cursing or profanity The meaning can also be worthless speech, words that are no good when spoken When you say things that no one will benefit from, words that have nothing good for you or anyone else Paul tells us that Christians are to speak words that edify or build up, speak “that which is good” The mouth of the Christian is to speak that which is of God and beneficial to all According to James the only way the mouth can do that is through Jesus Christ Paul gives us a list of things that should not be found in the life of a Christian, Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; I am sure that we will all agree with Paul’s list so far, but we may be surprised as he continues, Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. Among the list of things that do not belong in the life of a Christian we find “foolish talking” Paul gives us further instructions concerning the tongue, Col 4:6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. To speak “with grace” is to speak words that are loving, kind, gentle, thoughtful, and beneficial “Seasoned with salt,” means words that are a purifying influence and prevent corruption Words that will be a blessing to “every man” every time James identified the uncontrolled tongue with Satan and Hell, He said the tongue “is set on fire of hell” He is now going to show us that because of the power of the tongue, no man can tame it Jas 3:7 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: “Every Kind” does not indicate that every creature or every species has been tamed The Greek word translated “kind” referring to animals is the same word translated “mankind” The word “kind” refers to the distinctive natural characteristics that divide the animals Every nature of animal, every species of animal, such as those that walk, fly, crawl, or swim From each of those groups, animals have been tamed by man “Beasts” has reference to “Wild beasts” and domesticated animals “Birds” are the creatures that have wings and fly “Serpents” are the creatures that crawl, such as snakes and reptiles “Things in the sea” are the creatures that live in the water We have all witnessed what James tells us through amusement parks and social media Creatures have been “tamed” by man---is tamed, James does not mean that all animals have been domesticated He does not mean that man can make pets out of all animals “Tamed” means to bring them under the control of man for some purpose Referring to some control that man has over the animals Man can hunt, trap, capture, cage, put on a lease or pen just about any animal We have seen the wildest of animals caged and under the control of man at the zoo The point is, animals don’t have the control over man (man is smarter) ?? (Ha Ha) In the original creation God gave man the dominion over the animals, Gen 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. God placed humanity above the rest of creation, man was created with that capability, Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Together male and female were to exercise dominion over creation, Gen 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Following the Flood man still had dominion over the animals, God said to Noah, Gen 9:1 And God blessed Noah and his sons, and said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth. Gen 9:2 And the fear of you and the dread of you shall be upon every beast of the earth, and upon every fowl of the air, upon all that moveth upon the earth, and upon all the fishes of the sea; into your hand are they delivered. There is a Biblical truth represented here within the thought of man controlling the animals Man’s control of animals seems to be easier than man’s control of his own tongue Animals from every one of the above categories have been tamed Animals that walk, crawl, fly or swim, all kinds of wild animals and powerful animals--and hath been tamed of mankind: Animals shows are very popular, they are main attractions People like to watch man control the nature and behavior of an animal People take their families to see animals that do tricks at man’s command James very strongly makes his point, man has been able to tame the animals Man has been able to control creatures of the land, air, and water So, it is true, the point is that man is ruler over God’s creation, man has power over the creatures Animals are tamed for the benefit and pleasure of man They are put-to use for the best interest of man, for his value James said all of that to say, “But,” there is something amazing, something unbelievable, Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.