Victorious Language

I love the book of James. In my mind, James is the no nonsense disciple.

Many of the prophets were writing from far of places hoping to in the presence of the believers eventually.

They would often write to correct behavior of the churches. They didn’t have to deal with the aftermath.

James wrote to people to people that were in his yard and backyard.

My dad was a supply preacher for years. He loved it. He could stir stuff up and then leave.

James loved his church enough to lead them into higher places.

In order to do this, he had honest conversations with his people.

In my opinion, a leader who is willing to be honest with their people is the most loving type of leader.

James now brings us to the important subject of proper Christian speech.

READ JAMES 3:1-12

In the early church, the teachers were of prime importance.

Held in high regard. They ranked even with the prophets. When people converted to Christianity, they were handed over to the teachers who had the responsibility to lead them in their faith.

In the New Testament, we get glimpses of teachers who faith in their responsibilities and became false teachers. Those who tried to turn Chrstianity into another kind of Judaism and tried to introduce circumcision and the keeping of the law.

It was Jame’s conviction that teaching is a dangerous occupation for anyone.

Teachers were treated in a way that could ruin the character or anyone.

It was actually held that a teachers duty was larger than the responsibility that they had to their parents.

They were unable to take money from the church for their teaching duties and had to have another trade.

Widely known that families would take in teachers and care for their every need.

Two dangers that all teachers must avoid:

They must take care that they are always teaching the truth.

They must take care that they do not contradict their teaching by their lives.

And now, James turns to the power of speech.

1. Speech is Meant to be Controlled and Used honor the Lord.

There are numerous ways to stumble and fall. Many ways to sin.

James brings up that speech, when controlled, can control every other part of the body.

James then uses a series of illustrations:

A bit in a horses mouth that controls the entire animal.

The rudder of a small ship that guys the path.

A small fire that can set a large blaze.

Each paint a picture how something very small can make a heavy impact on the totality of a life.

The tongue is capable of accomplishing great things int he world.

Everything in this world has been tamed except for the use of the tongue.

It can be used to heal the world or destroy the world.

Spouse

Children

Coworker

Enemy

Any situation.

Acts 4:13-20 - Peter and John were spirit-filled men and knew that nothing could or would keep them from sharing the love of Jesus Christ.

Y’all, if you haven’t figured it out by now. your speech is very important. What we say to others impacts the world.

If you’ve never known what words can do to hurt people, you’ve never been in Junior High.

Our language has become so infused with evil in this day. Humans have come up with evil ways to say everything.

We have learned to take evil actions and make them sound holy.

Instead of dealing with situations directly with a person, we have taught ourselves the peaceful way is to handle it ourselves.

Gossip. That’s all there is to say.

Speech is an amazing/dangerous tool. We can use it to glorify God or appose Him. It’s our choice how we utilize its power.

2. We Are a Spring of Water

James hates the “doubleness” of the tongue.

The inconsistent, unstable wavering of the double-minded man (1:7-8) which is manifested in partiality (2:4) and a failure to produce works (2:14-26)

He brings up the idea of using the same instrument to bless the Lord and curse men who are made in the likeness of God.

“curse” - Greek term kataraomai, refers to causing injury to harm someone through a statement. The ancients believer that such statements had supernatural power.

According to James, things should not be this way.

“the fountain” was important to people. On this source of water depended the very existence of many a village.

A spring of water that produced fresh and sweet changed lives.

Some springs produced a mixture of fresh and saltwater making them unusable.

The point James’ makes is that the same spring does not pour forth fresh water one minute and bitter water the next.

The tragedy of the tongue is to blessed God one minute yet curse men the next.

He uses the same point with the fig tree. They are only going to produce one thing.

Parents, you want to confuse your kids? Kids, you want to confuse your parents? Be a saint at church a fiend at home. Allow the same words you use to sing praise songs produce foul language at home.

Another thing… What about our voice on social media? Are we willing to type things that we would never say out loud? Or does our influence on social media destroy our witness to Christ?

I’m not here to shame anyone. I’m making one point. What type of spring are we with the speech we use?

Speech Check

Does our language build people up?

Does our language display a double mind?

Does our language bring honor to God?

We are called to point to our victory in Jesus with our speech but Jesus also died to redeem us from what we have said and done against Him. Are you willing to repent and ask God to give life to your language?

Are you willing to speak the language that we will speak in Heaven? Read Revelation 22:1-5