Teaching on James 3:7-12

(Me) - “You’re a Christian?”

I was born into a Christian household, perhaps like many of you. My mother, who was single at the time, worked tirelessly for me and my siblings; not only in providing for us, but also in making sure that our character was always being conformed by Scripture.

For me, though, my mother’s teaching typically went in one ear and out the other, especially as a child. The only other time I was being taught was on the receiving end of a spanking; my response always being, “Jesus said you need to love me!”

I can confidently state, without a doubt in my mind, that I was the black sheep in my family (perhaps like many of you).

Now, what I needed corrected the most was my tongue. This tiny muscle would get me into a load of trouble. Being innately rebellious, I had no issue talking back, yelling at my parents and siblings, and a bunch of other nonsense. And as I grew older, my tongue got worse. Now I was swearing. Next, I’m talking about girls with my friends in disgusting ways. I’m lying. The older I get, the worse my tongue gets.

My mom used to tell me as a kid, “The tongue manifests the heart.” She was right. To me that saying of hers did not strike me until one day in high school I invited a friend to my church. And you know what he said? He asked, “You’re a Christian?”

(We) - An Age of Vulgarity

How many of us here who identify as being a part of the body of Christ would have a friend or a close colleague ask us that question if they new the things we said? Taking a look at our culture now; we are living in a time of extreme vulgarity, especially with an election coming soon. I’m sure many of us here have seen friends and family speak in ways that make you question their commitment to Jesus. More accurately, we’ve probably seen their posts on Facebook or Twitter. How many of those people are us, professors of Christ?

(God) - Taming the Tongue

The reality, though, is that followers of Jesus in the 2nd century struggled with their tongues as well. In fact, the brother of Jesus, James, wrote a letter to a scattered group of Christians, and specifically addresses the issue of our speech. If you can then, please take out your Bibles and turn to James 3. We’ll be reading from verses 7-12. Lets start with the first two verses.

James 3:7–8 NIV

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

For those of you have have your Bible’s out, you can see that verses 7-12 make up the middle portion of chapter 3. Prior to these verses, James has gone on to write about the dangers of the tongue and its immense power for such a small muscle. He continues this claim by making a comparison in verses 7 and 8. The comparison is that between the human power to tame and the tongues’ power to tame.

And so, James makes a list of the animals that have been tamed during his time. I’m sure it’s not easy to tame an animal, and so it’s as if James is hyping up the ego of his audience! “Look at how amazing we humans are, taming all types of wild beasts!” If I could, I’d like to add to that list and modernize it a bit. We’ve tamed the field of physics. We have countless skyscrapers across the world and none of them are being toppled over by the wind. We’ve tamed the field of technology. We have smart devices that get us a hold of anyone anywhere in the world. We literally have computers in our pockets.

Yet, in verse 8, James writes a word that no one like to hear; “but”.

James 3:8 NIV

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

That’s a bold statement from James. Us humans who have tamed many beasts and, as I’ve added earlier for emphasis, the known realms of science cannot tame a 3 inch muscle in out mouths. And come on, you know this is true. What do you say to someone who you hurt with your words when you’re trying to explain yourself? “I didn’t mean it.” But you said it.

James continues, stating that the tongue is a “restless evil, full of deadly poison”, the reason why no human being can tame the tongue. A similar phrase can be found in the Old Testament in Psalm 140:3.

Psalm 140:3 NIV

3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Given that James was probably writing to Jewish Christians, some of them would have probably made the comparison. Such a realization is startling, given that the tongue is attributed to poison and a snake; clearly referencing the serpent in the Garden of Eden with its double-tongue.

After writing on the complete depravity of our tongues, James goes on to write how we, like a snakes double-tongue, praise and curse. Lets read verses 9-12.

James 3:9–12 NIV

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

How revealing is that? James is saying, “can’t you see how much of a hypocrite you all are? You go to church on Sundays and sing your heart out to Jesus and then you go back home and curse your brother! Who in fact, is made in his image.” Then, in order to drill this issue into their heads, James writes two illustrations. Fresh water and salt water can’t flow from the same spring and Olives can’t grow on fig trees! How then is the person who has be redeemed by Christ cursing their fellow man with their tongues?

So here’s the point, and don’t miss this - spiritual Maturity is evidenced by the use of the tongue.

The reality though, as we’ve learned, is that no human being can tame the tongue, but our Lord can. Our tongues are a muscle that need to be humbled everyday by our Lord. And how can this happen? By the renewal of our hearts through God’s word

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(We) -