INTRODUCTION
1. Open your bible to James 3:3-6.
2. The title of our lesson: “Little things that illustrate the power of the tongue”!
3. James 3:3-6 is filled with visual images.
4. The three images that James uses illustrate the point that since they are small and yet control things much larger than they are then the tongue, even though small, has control over many things larger than it is.
5. Let’s begin our discussion of these three small things.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, JAMES 3:2&3 REFERS TO A SMALL BRIDLE BEING USED TO CONTROL A HORSE WHICH IS MUCH LARGER!
1. Let’s read James 3:2&3, “2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.”
2. In verse 2 James refers to the spiritually mature Christian, who is working hard to control their tongue, as one who will become capable of “bridling the whole body”.
3. James in verse 3 refers to putting a bit in the horse’s mouth to be able to turn about the horse’s body.
4. The average horse will weigh about 1,000 pounds, plus or minus. He is made up of flesh, bones and muscles.
5. Even though he is big and strong a “bit attatched to a bridle”, which weighs only a few ounces, can be used to guide to the right or left or bring to a stop a large horse.
6. This illustration that James uses is particularly appropriate, because the bit lies on top of a horse’s tongue, and when attached to the bridle and reins, it is possible for the rider using that bit to easily make the horse obey. Controlling horses’ mouths controls their heads, which, in turn, direct their entire body as well.
7. The lesson for each Christian is to understand how our mouths have so much control over us. If our Christianity seems true, but we cannot guide our tongue then our religion is vain, as James 1:26 declares.
8. Let’s turn to a few bible passages that provide examples of God’s people making an effort to bridle their tongues.
(1) Turn to Psalm 39:1. Here, King David made the pledge that he would bridle his tongue. Christians need to tell themselves that they are going to bridle their tongue.Let’s read Psalm 39:1. “I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”
(2) Turn to Psalm 120:1&2. Here, the writer of the Psalm prayed that he would properly bridle his tongue. Christians need to pray for God to help them bridle their tongue. Let’s read Psalm 120:1&2. “1 In my distress I cried to the LORD, And He heard me. 2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips And from a deceitful tongue.”
(3) Turn to Psalm 141:3. This is another prayer of David’s for God to help in bridling his tongue. Prayer, along with appealing to the powerful strength of God, causes you to think more strongly about bridling your tongue. Let’s read Psalm 141:3. “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
(4) Turn to Job 27:4. Here, Job makes the statement that he will bridle his tongue. This is another example to motivate Christians to state verbally that they are going to bridle their tongue. Speaking to our self and to others about our commitment will motivate us to put forth more effort in bridling our tongue. Let’s read Job 27:4, “My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.”
II. SECODNLY, JAMES 3:4 PRESENTS A SMALL RUDDER FOR GUIDING A SHIP TO ILLUSTRATE THE POWER OF THE TONGUE IN WORKING TOWARD CONTROLLING THE WHOLE BODY.
1. Let’s read James 3:4, “Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.”
2. The largest ships of that day were small compared to the gigantic ocean liners and warships of modern times.
(1) But the ship in which Paul traveled on his voyage to Rome had a total of 276 persons on board, including the crew, soldiers, and prisoners (Acts 27:37), indicating it was a fairly large vessel. That ship also had a large cargo.
(2) In any case, James’s point is that, compared to its overall size, a ship’s rudder is very small, yet can easily steer the vessel wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
3. In the KJV the word “helm” refers to the rudder that was attatched to the back of the ship.
4. The “governor” from the KJV refers to the pilot or the one guiding the ship. This person usually set at the back of the ship and would move the helm or the rudder from one side to the other and with the small rudder control the large ship.
5. On today’s huge ships, the pilot or the captain is most always positioned at a wheel to steer and direct and guide the huge ship. The right use of the small rudder brings about many good uses of a large ship.
6. Let’s study some passages that refer to the small tongue accomplishing great things for good.
(1) Turn to Proverbs 10:11a. This passage teaches that the person who uses their tongue for righteous purposes is compared to a good well of water providing future life to himself and others who drink from his words. Let’s read Proverbs 10:11a, “The mouth of the righteous is a well of life.”
(2) Turn to Proverbs 18:4, which has a similar statement and emphasizes that the correct use of the tongue has large results that will bring blessing, similar to a refreshing drink of water when we are thirsty. Good words, like good water will help us far into the future. Let’s read Proverbs 18:4. “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.”
(3) Turn to Proverbs 10:20&21. These verses teach that the right use of the tongue provide great benefits to one’s self and others. Let’s read Proverbs 10:20&21. “20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.” Again, emphasis is give to the great worth when good words are used.
(4) Turn to Proverbs 12:19a. This passage teaches that the good use of the tongue brings good results for ever. Let’s read Proverbs 12:19a. “The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” The right use of the tongue benefits one for all eternity! That is a large difference contrasted to the misuse of the tongue.
(5) Turn to Proverbs 25:11. Here Solomon exalts the properly spoken word. Words come from them being formed and pronounced with our small tongues and yet the correct words provide wonderful administration from those who hear them. Let’s read Proverbs 25:11. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.” Such a description is beautiful. Correct words are beautiful to hear.
(6) Turn to Psalm 15:1-3. This passage speaks of huge results when the tongue is used properly. Those who use their tongue properly will have opportunity to go to heaven. Let’s read Psalm 15:1-3. “1 LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? 2 He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart; 3 He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend.”
(7) Controlling our small tongue is a large part of what it will take for us to gain a home in heaven! Our tongues can talk big and Christians need to make sure that all talk with our little tongues is such talk that it will bring big results for God.
(8) All of these passages, and there are others, give us the opportunity to be reminded of the many large and wonderful results that come when we control our tongue correctly.
(9) Any one blessing, and especially all of these blessings should motivate us to work diligently at controlling our tongues, to the glory of God.
(10) Each Christian must keep in mind that their words influence other Christians and even the entire congregation in a discouraging or an uplifting way. Let’s make sure we use our tongues as if they were a large ship delivering a large cargo of precious goods.
III. THIRD, JAMES 3:5&6 SPEAKS OF THE SMALL TONGUE IN COMPARISON TO A LITTLE FIRE THAT RAGES AND DESTROYS AN ENTIRE FOREST.
1. Let’s read James 3:5&6. “5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”
2. James wants Christians to think about things that we know and then make a spiritual application about the use of our tongues from these things that we are familiar with.
3. One little match or one little piece of wood can cause a huge fire.
4. The tongue is a little member of our body that, when used incorrectly, can be just as destructive as a fire.
5. When Christians say or teach things they must make sure every thing is said in harmony with the truth.
(1) 1 Pet. 4:11 says, “11 If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles [divine utterances] of God.”
(2) Christians must also speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
(3) Christians must never let teaching or conversations go off in the wrong direction similar to a run away fire.
6. First consumes and destroys as it spreads.
7. When the tongue goes off in the wrong direction I also spreads and destroys.
8. Let’s turn and read a few passages that warn about uncontrolled tongues being illustrated by fire.
(1) Turn to Proverbs 16:27. This passage speaks of the one who uses their tongue incorrectly as being like the person who starts a fire and then continually pitches kindling on the fire to keep it burning ferociously.
Let’s read Proverbs 16:27, “An ungodly man digs up evil [that is keeps bringing up what would serve as kindling to keep a fire raging, as bad things are being said], And it is on his lips like a burning fire.”
(2) Turn to Proverbs 26:20&21. These verses again emphasize that the little tongue is often destructive like fire because many are guilty of continuing bring up more and more of the bad.
Let’s read Proverbs 26:20&21. “20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out;
And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. 21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
9. James has more to say about our little tongues getting out of control in big ways, like little fires get out of control, but we will discuss those things in another lesson.
CONCLUSION
Acknowledgments for a lot of thoughts in the development of all the sermons on the book of James are to go to:
(1) Bob Winton CD Commentary on Matthew 27:50-54. 464 Ridgewood Drive Manchester, Tennessee 37355. If interested in CD covering many O. T. & N.T. books call (866) 753-8456.
(2) Miscellaneous commentaries by numerous others.
