Faith Displayed In Your Conversations

Last week, we talked about our faith and what part it plays in our lifestyle. Today I want to get a little more detailed and ask if our faith shows up in our conversations.

It is estimated that people spend 52 minutes a day talking about someone who is not present. Of those gossip-filled conversations, 10% are positive or flattering, 75% are neutral and 15% are negative. Most of the time, people don't hear what's being said about them, but what if they did? Words do matter.

Last week, in our message, we saw that James taught that our actions demonstrate our faith. Our faith should be seen in our lifestyle. We don't just say we have faith, we show it by our actions. James was not implying that our words are unimportant. In James 3, we see just how important and powerful our words are. Prayer.

James 3:1-5a – “Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.

***** 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the captain directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.”

The small size of the tongue doesn't keep it from doing great damage. Words can demoralize and destroy others just like a small spark can start a wildfire that destroys a large forest. James even says that the tongue is a fire. And it sets the course of life on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. Those are strong words.

We've probably all experienced the harsh effects of a tongue and have been on the receiving end of cutting criticism, destructive gossip, or demoralizing sarcasm. We've also seen the effects of lying, slander, and careless words.

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists 7 things the Lord hates and 3 of them are sins of the tongue. a lying tongue, a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.

The apostle Paul pleaded with his readers to avoid the use of obscene and foolish talking or crude joking. Clearly words are powerful and can destroy relationships and people's reputations.

Yes, words matter. They can destroy. Or they can give hope. Our words have the power to instruct, inspire, encourage, and motivate. Teachers’ words make a difference in their students' lives. The words they say are important-- so important that the very act of teaching invites a stricter judgment. God is serious about what is taught.

James uses the examples of horses and ships to illustrate how we can control those things using instruments that are so much smaller. A bridle bit weighs between 1 and 2 pounds, yet by using it a rider can direct an 1800-pound horse. A rudder is a tiny fraction of the size of the ship's hull, and yet the captain uses it to steer the entire ship.

In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body. James says, “But we should not be fooled by its size.” Typically, a person's tongue is slightly over 3 inches long, and weighs just over 2 oz, and is all muscle. But, it's power for good or bad is disproportionate to its small size. That small muscle has great power. James says, “It boasts great things.”

God wants us to recognize the power that our words hold to either harm or to help. If we would think of it in terms like that, we would reflect God's attitude. Let your speech give others a glimpse of Christ's love.

James 3:9-10 – “9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.”

James is pointing out how inconsistent we are. With our words, we use the same tongue to bless God yet curse the people He created in His image. So, what do we do? Do we simply give up and give in to every temptation to lie, curse, and gossip about others? Of course, not. And that is James's point.

Let's face it, Satan is always going to tempt us to do evil with our tongues. So we have to be on our guard and constantly submit that temptation to the Lord. If we rely on our own self-control, that's not the answer. The only way we can use our tongue consistently for God's good purposes is to submit to God's control in our lives.