Our Troublesome Tongues

Before we dive into the main content of the message today, I want to point out something rather obvious - there are no notes in your bulletins. There is a sense in which this sermon is set up fairly similarly to others - a couple of main points with smaller points, but there is also a sense in which this is a bit different. Feel free to use the space provided as you see fit.

Open your Bibles to James chapter 3. As we read/listen/reflect on this passage may God give us understanding into His word as we seek to live according to His will.

James 3:1–12 ESV

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Let’s pray.

We’ve seen over the last several weeks in our study of James that he is urging us to have an integrated faith or a true religion. This is a faith that permeates every part of life - including our language. As we dive into these verses today, I want to reflect briefly with some general thoughts on the passage and then spend more time on what this means for us - because I think there are several implications and points of application.

General Thoughts

As with many of the sections in this letter, these verses have a very clear message - our tongues, our mouths, our words are dangerous for several reasons.

Our tongues convict or condemn us (1-2)

People who are teachers or leaders have a public audience. Their words have an impact on multiple lives at one time. As a result, they have to be careful to live according to the words that they teach and to teach those words accurately. As James says in verse 1, they will be judged with greater strictness. It’s unclear if James is referring to an eschatological or end of time judgment or a judgment that happens in the near future - as people weigh the words that are said and consider the integrity of life that is saying it. So, those who are leaders or teachers have an added weight to their words.

Secondly,

Our tongues have a great deal of sway over our lives (3-5)

Just as a bit is a small piece in the mouth of a horse and a rudder is a small instrument at the stern of a ship provide direction, so too for us, how we speak, what we say can affect the outcome of our lives. Our tongues may be small members - but they make a big impact. In fact James uses an interesting play on words in verse 5.

David Nystrom writes:

“The tongue is a small (mikron) member (melos) but boasts of great things (megala).”

When tied in with some of the other things that James and the rest of scripture speak about what comes out of our mouths - our tongues can not only boast of great things but can cause great harm.

Which brings us to our third general though…

Our tongues have an ability to wreak havoc (5b-6)

…in us and in the lives of others. Like a small spark on a dry forest, words can ignite controversy. The evil that spews from out mouths can destroy life. I can’t count the number times that I have replayed conversations in my mind as I have said words that I deeply regret. Sometimes those words created a chasm in a relationship - never to be repaired. It’s also not hard to remember how divisive political rhetoric can be.