TITLE: THE MEANEST MEMBER IN OUR CHURCH
SCRIPTURE: JAMES 3:4-5
This morning I want to talk to us about The Meanest member in our Church. There are some members we talk about and say “OH AREN’T THEY SWEET” - others we talk about and say “OH AREN’T THEY CUTE” then there are those members in the church when we speak of them we say – “OH THEY ARE SO NICE.” Those are not that ones that I want to shed light upon this morning during our time together. I want to talk about that other member or members, perhaps there are a few that fall into this category I want to briefly address. You know who they are, don’t try to put your head down now, some of you are already looking around the Sanctuary trying to identify - The Meanest member in our Church.
Ushers would you go ahead and pass out the ballots so we can begin our voting process. I’m just kidding! Don’t look around at one another – Don’t start point fingers at the person next to you – Don’t get nervous this morning and think about where you are going to Move your membership. Some of you are probably already thinking that if we were to cast ballots there would most likely be a tie!
If you are wondering who it is, I want to assure you this morning, that this member wins hand down. Not only in this congregation, but every congregation that exists today. Let’s revisit VS. 6 again - “AND THE TONGUE IS A FIRE, A WORLD OF INIQUITY: SO IS THE TONGUE AMONG OUR MEMBERS…”
• The tongue is the meanest member in our church
• The tongue is a fire and a world of iniquity
• I want us to think this morning about the tongue
• The member that is in everybody’s mouth
• So this text refers to you and to me
• Yes, it is - The Meanest member in our Church
James begins to tell us about this member and early on provides a Disclaimer – “The Tongue Can No Man Tame.” This Member has:
• Brought Down Kingdoms
• Destroyed Careers
• Killed Many a Marriage
• Divided Family Circles
• Caused Ciaos in the Local Church
• Split Many a Church
The writer of this book finds it amazing that we can tame animals and mammals, but can’t tame our tongue. Let’s consider what mankind has been able to, at least somewhat tame:
• We have Dancing Bears
• We have Trained Seals
• We have Talking Dolphins
• We have Charmed Snakes
• We have Dogs that do tricks
• We have even trained Killer Whales to perform
• We have Lions that are Trained to open their mouths and men put their heads in their mouth and not be hurt
• We have elephants that can March to commands
• All these creatures have been tamed and trained
• But the tongue in our mouth is untamed and untamable
James introduces us to three factors in this text as it relates to our tongue. If we really pay attention to His Words of Wisdom, perhaps next year The Meanest member in our Church can win the Award for “The Best Turn Around.” There are three things that I want to lift from this text:
• The Influence of the Tongue
• The Iniquity of the Tongue
• The Inconsistency of the Tongue
I remember the many years I spent in the Military stationed in Texas – Germany – New Jersey - Belgium. Whenever our quarters were packed and ready to be shipped to our next Duty Assignment – I remember there were always a few boxes set aside that were labeled – Handle with Care. This would alert the receiving end to the fact there were Fragile items contained within that particular box. This would alert the Handlers they must Pay Closer Attention and Handle those particular boxes different than they handle the rest.
The author of this book, James is saying the tongue, though it be very small, is very Powerful, and very influential, and therefore the Tongue should be handled with care.
• The tongue can Direct
• The tongue can Destroy
• The tongue can Delight
• The tongue is a very powerful thing
Many times in Church as well as in our Family life, we have the tendency to treat the person with care instead of challenging them to take ownership of their own Tongue. We will treat the Person as Fragile because:
• We don’t want them to Go Off
• We don’t want them to lose it on Us
• We don’t want them to blackout on everyone around them
• We know what will happen if that Member takes control
James is trying to help us understand that we are not to Treat the Person as Fragile, just understand that the Tongue is Fragile. After all the text gives us the Sad Reality that no man can tame it!
• I have seen 5 Foot tall Mothers bring Their 6’5 sons to their knees
• I have seen Fragile Grandfathers silence the whole Family Reunion to listen to what he has to say
• I have seen small Toddlers speak their first words and even strangers fall silent
• But, nothing commands more attention than the Tongue when it is out of control
Our tongues should not be destructive weapons to hurt others, but we have a real problem as James asserts, “No man can tame the tongue.” Just prior to this he says, “every species . . . has been tamed by the human race.” We can control the animal kingdom, but we cannot control our tongues; what hope do we have? If the tongue cannot be controlled, are we doomed to failure and frustration? No human being can tame the tongue.
There is One Who can tame our tongues, and Scripture distinctly tells us who He is - PROVERBS 16:1 “THE PREPARATIONS OF THE HEART IN MAN, AND THE ANSWER OF THE TONGUE, IS FROM THE LORD.”
• What is humanly impossible is no problem at all for God
• The Holy Spirit not only can but wants to tame our tongues
• Only the Holy Spirit is able to control our tongue
• You just can’t stop Cussing
• You just can’t stop Gossiping
• You just can’t stop saying Hurtful Things
• You just can’t stop saying Mean things
• But the Holy Spirit can take control of our Tongue
James illustrates this thought by showing us three very small things that have great influence. One of the many things I really love about where we live is the many farms and pastures in our area. A few of the farms have beautiful horses on their property. There is a Horse rescue area just about a mile from the house. There are often as many as 20-30 horses there at a given time. Those creatures are Huge and Agile. When they run they are almost majestic, every muscle is fine tuned. For centuries they were beast of burden as well as mode of transportation. I am sure the majority of us have seen Horses on the race track. We like to go to Remington Park for dinner and then watch the Horses Race during the Season.
• They are Powerful when they race
• It is a Thundering sound when they move around the track
• Strong, Intelligent creatures
It has always amazed me, the only way to fully control these great creatures is by controlling its tongue. The Tongue is like a Bit in a Horse’s Mouth. James calls to our attention the only way to make this creature obey us is by placing a small bit in its mouth and we will then be able to turn its whole body. Can you imagine by controlling its tongue:
• We will be able to mount and ride such a beast
• We will be able to control its stride and its movements
• We will be able to make it Start and to make it Stop
• Just a little piece of metal controls the whole horse
• Some of us have difficulty learning that
What is James saying to us here? He wants us to understand — just a small word, just a bit of a word — can control sometimes the destiny of a man. Sometimes that is all that it takes, just a small Word. The Holy Spirit works just like that Bit in the Horses mouth. If the Holy Spirit could just get a hold of our Tongue, He would be able to control and guide all aspects of our life.
• You are just fooling yourself if you think you can live Holy and can’t control your Tongue
• You are just fooling yourself if you think you are a Blessing to the Kingdom and can’t control your Tongue
• You are just fooling yourself if you think you are a respected leader in the Church and can’t control your Tongue
• I’m talking about The Meanest member in our Church
If we would only allow the Holy Spirit to Control our Tongue. We will begin to understand that it is the little things that will make a Big difference. The Holy Spirit will work just like that Bit in the Horses mouth, will help us understand it is the Little things that really go a long way. James shows us very pointedly that the way the Christian uses their tongue is the indicator of their spiritual health. It can tell each one of us the temperature of our spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ.
James provides us with another example. Another of which I can really relate. About every two years Elect Lady and I take a Cruise to get away and relax. I am always amazed firstly that all those tons of steel will even stay afloat. Secondly, I am amazed by how the massive Ships maneuver from destination to destination. I fully understand there is new technology today, but for many years, the rudder was used to steer the ship.
Consider again what James says in VS. 4 – “BEHOLD, ALSO THE SHIPS, WHICH THOUGH THEY BE SO GREAT, AND ARE DRIVEN OF FIERCE WINDS, YET THEY ARE TURNED ABOUT BY A VERY SMALL RUDDER.”
• Just a little rudder can change the course of a mighty ship
• Just a little rudder can change the direction of something so large
• Your speech is the same way
• Speech is such a powerful thing
• The power of speech, and the power of oratory, is unbelievable
We find in PROVERBS 18:21 “DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE…” Our destiny is tied into the Power of our Tongue. We will either live defeated or walk in our destiny, it is dependent upon who is controlling our Tongue. The tongue possesses Unspeakable Power. Our life is destined to go in some direction. It is inevitable. For good or evil, the activity of your tongue is certain to be a determining factor.
• The right word at the right time may open doors of ministry or career that will set the course of your life’s work
• On the other hand, the wrong word spoken at any time, even an unsuspecting time, may close doors, establish a reputation and mark your ministry or career for ill
• Words can most certainly determine our direction
Think of the power of the tongue, the tongue like the rudder of a ship can bring that ship, buffeted and tossed by the waves and winds, into a safe harbor. Or, the tongue in the hands of a wrong person can bring the ship of life upon the rocks and the reefs of disaster and destruction. James is saying, “Never underestimate the power of the tongue.” It is so small, but so powerful.
This final illustration that James gives, we all can relate to as Oklahomans. He says the tongue is like a SPARK IN DRY GRASS. Look, if you will, in VS. 5 “EVEN SO THE TONGUE IS A LITTLE MEMBER AND BOASTETH GREAT THINGS. BEHOLD HOW GREAT A MATTER A LITTLE FIRE KINDLETH!”
• Your tongue is like a Torch
• It is Incendiary
• A fire does not have to be great and large to begin
--Do you remember your History – I was recently reading about the GREAT CHICAGO FIRE in 1871? We are told that a Mrs. O’Leary was milking her cow in a barn in Chicago. And, the cow kicked over Mrs. O’Leary lantern, and that lantern caught the hay in that barn on fire. And, Mrs. O’Leary was not able to put it out. By the time that fire was finally controlled, 17,450 buildings in the city of Chicago were destroyed. One cow kicks over a lantern, 17,450 destroyed. The entire downtown part of Chicago wiped out by the great Chicago fire. Over 250 people lost their lives.
One can do more harm by his words than good by his deeds! Just think about the great and terrible damage that has been done by the fire of words, rumors, tale bearing and sharp, cutting remarks.
• Think about the Marriages that have been destroyed
• The Jobs that have been lost
• The Children who have been disturbed
• The Friendships that have been damaged
• The Reputations that have been ruined
• The Churches that have closed
If we are ever to gain control of the tongue - we must be able to restrain the words that we use, to hold back from speaking wrongly! We must also be able to give direction to speak that which is right and good. However, this is often easier said than done, because if we’re honest with ourselves, we have all said things we shouldn’t say:
• Times when we speak our minds and say just a bit too much
• Times when our anger gets the best of us and we spout off with our mouths
• Times when we know a juicy bit of info and we think we just have to share it
It is given so much attention and yet it is one of the smaller organs of the body. The weight of our tongue for a male is about 70 grams, for a female, 60 grams. However, its potential for evil is so great that God saw fit to IMPRISON IT BEHIND A DOUBLE JAILER: THE TEETH AND THE LIPS.
• The problem is not the tongue’s physical location
• But its spiritual connection
• For in terms of spiritual anatomy, the tongue is directly wed to the heart
• It is the heart that motivates and manipulates the tongue for good or evil, to bless or curse
He is the answer for our tongues - When we let God sanctify our tongues and the Holy Spirit take control of the words we speak, your tongue and mine are divinely tames. In our own human strength we can never accomplish it but the Holy Spirit has all the power we need to control the tongue.
Guard against engaging the tongue without engaging the mind. Take a moment before you speak. Here's an Acrostic to help evaluate whether you are about to say something you perhaps shouldn't. Ask the following questions:
T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?
• If what you are about to say does not pass this simple test, then don't say it
• Think before you speak
• If you don’t you give way to The Meanest member in our Church
As I try to close this morning I am reminded in the early to mid1660s, England was filled with disaster.
• In 1665, a plague caused 70,000 in London to lose their lives
• Later, fire destroyed most of the city
• One disaster after another
--Bishop Thomas Ken, kept encouraging his congregation throughout all these difficulties. He saw the light of God in this catastrophic situation. He wrote a song that we sing so often on Sunday’s in the local church:
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise him above ye Heavenly Host.
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost
Our Tongues should be Found in TOTAL PRAISE!
--That is the sign of our Christian Maturity
--That is the sign that the Holy Spirit is in Charge of our Life
--No matter what is going on in our life, we still Praise
--PRAISE IS WHAT I DO
PRAISE IS WHAT I DO
WHEN I WANT TO BE CLOSE YOU
I LIFT MY HANDS IN PRAISE
PRAISE IS WHO I AM
I WILL PRAISE HIM WHILE I CAN
I’LL BLESS, HIM AT ALL TIMES
AND I VOW TO PRAISE YOU
THROUGH THE GOOD AND THE BAD
I’LL PRAISE YOU
WHETHER HAPPY OR SAD
I’LL PRAISE YOU
IN ALL THAT I GO THROUGH
BECAUSE PRAISE IS WHAT I DO
