Communicating with words is one of the distinguishing marks of human existence. It makes possible the clearest level of understanding,
the conserving and transmission of knowledge from the past, and the sharing of information from one intelligent being to another. Like so
many aspects of human life, however, communication is a gift from God that can be abused.
James recognized his readers were having difficulty in the use of the tongue. He indicated there needed to be less talking about their ideas and more hearing of God's Word (1:19). They also needed to curb their unrestrained speech (1:26). Their discussion of faith and works had produced more heat than light(2:12). So James' "cut to the chase," so to speak. He turned his attention to a problem that he was sure was at the root of most of the conflicts within the church of his day. As we consider James' words about the use of the tongue, we find his instruction to be strangely relevant to our day as well, don't we?
As he speaks about the use and abuse of the tongue, james utilizes three sets of illustrations as he gives counsel conceming control of the tongue. Depending on how it is used . . .
1. The tongue can give special direction - vs. 1-4
There was a tendency, it seems, for those in the church of James' day to want to be in positions of authority without fully considering the
implications involved. With the privilege of teaching comes responsibility and accountability.
A. One must be sure his teaching is correct, lest he be guilty of heresy - v. I
B. One must be sure his teaching is consistent, lest he be guilty of hypocrisy - v. 2
But if his words are correct and consistent, they libve power to provide others with special direction. Even as a bit can change the direction a horse runs and a rudder can change the direction a ship sails, our words can change the direction of one's life to obedience to the Savior. But if our tongue is to give that special direction to others, our words correct with the truth of the Word of God and consistent with a life lived for the glory of God.
"Forge thy tongue on the anvil of truth and what flies up, though it be but a spark, will have light '- Pindar (ancient Greek poet)
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperoas and successful. " - Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
The Bible is the anvil of truth upon which we are to forge our words and actions, so that we might be prosperous and successful in being the light to a dark world that God calls us to be. Depending how it is used, the tongue can give special direction or . . .
2. The tongue can cause serious destruction - vs. 5-8
If our words aren't correctly aligned with the truth of the Word of God or consistent with a life lived for the glory of God, instead of providing special direction men need from God, we cause serious destruction.
A. James says inappropriate use of our tongue is like a wild fire - vs.5-6
"My heart grew hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue." - Psalm'39:3 (NIV)
1) The destruction it brings can start small - v. 5
2) The destruction it brings can spread swiftly - v. 6
B. James says inappropriate use of the tongue is like a wild animal - vs. 7-8
1) Inappropriate words have a life of their own - vs. 7-8a
Even as wild animals have a life of their own, words unfitly spoken have a life of their own. Once spoken, our words have their effect upon others. Better to have never spoken than to speak and not be able to undo the damage that may result.
"Speak without thinking, and your words can cut like a knife." - Proverbs 12:18a Easy to read)
2) Inappropriate words have a mind of their own - v. 8b
Wild animals have a mind to pounce on their victim and inappropriate words likewise, produce victims.
In his book, '(Three Steps Forward Two Steps Back" Chuck Swindoll tells of a woman who committed suicide and left a note in
which she wrote, "They said . .. " She never completed the thought. But whatever "They said" was painful enough for her to decide that
she couldn't go on living. Inappropriate words can, indeed, be deadly.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid
of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another,
forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of
love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." - Ephesians 4:29-5:2 (NIV)
Do your words produce victims or victors? Note Paul's application of or cause Gestructron. Just as Jesus gave Himself to God for our sake, we need to give ourselves to God for the sake of one another. For . . .
3. The tongue can provide spiritual diagnosis - vs. 9-12
James tells us that the use of our tongue is an indication of whether or not we are wholly given to God. The condition of our heart is revealed by the use of our tongue.
It is unreasonable to insist a salt spring can produce fresh water or a fig tree can produce olives; and it is unreasonable to insist that a tongue that brings a curse to its fellow man can also bring praise to God. Just as one can perform physical diagnosis by examining the condition of one's tongue, one can perform spiritual diagnosis by examining the use of one's tongue. My tongue will either be used to give special direction to others or to bring serious destruction to others; and how it will be used will be determined by the condition of my heart.
Conclusion:
"You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whutever is in your heart determines what you
say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either
acquit you or condemn you." - Matthew 12234-37 (NLT)
You know, economic recession inevitably leads to an increase in unemployment. And the higher the percentage of people who are
out of work, the more problems our social agencies have to deal with. Alcohol and drug abuse increases. Domestic violence increases. Crime rates increase. Some people can't seem to stay out of trouble when they have idle time on their hands.
The same principle applies to our tongue. In Jesus' warning about "every idle words" the word "idle" literally means "out of work."
When our tongue is not being used constructively, it will be used destructively.
What determines the difference? The difference is determined by whether or not my words are correctly aligned with the truth of the
Word of God and consistent with a life lived for the glory of God; and that will be determined by whether or not my heart is fully given to the control of God.
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life - your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and
walking-around life - and place it before God as an offering, Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." - romans 12:1-2 (The Message)
"Maturity is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech." - Anonymous
What does the use of your tongue say about the condition of your heart? Surrender your heart to God by getting into His Word and letting
His Word get into you!
