PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN LIVING #6 - Controlling the Tongue
James 3:1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing 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 a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. 3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 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 pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
INTRO: This morning we will continue in this series through the Book of James on Practical Christian Living. The Book of James was written to help us how to understand our relationship with God and our relationship with each other better; to help us attain spiritual maturity; and to teach us how to live out our Christian faith.
Let's review what we've learned so far in this series:
In week 1 we learned who James was, whom his letter was written to, the purpose it was written, and the importance of this teaching.
In week 2 we learned that our faith will be tested, how to overcome trials, and how to transform the trials of life into triumphs.
In week 3 we learned that God calls us to be doers of His Word and not merely hearers - the blessing comes from the doing, not the hearing.
In week 4 we were warned about the destructive sin of favoritism, prejudice, racism - we learned how God is not partial, and we learned how a Christian should properly relate to others who are different from us. We learned to recognize that although we may look differently, or come from different places, or belong to different socio-economic groups, we are all ONE in the Body of Christ.
Last week, we learned that faith and works go hand in hand. A faith that does not produce the work of Christ within us, is no faith at all. Real faith will always produce the work of Christ. Our faith must be demonstrated through our works.
As we continue to move forward through this series, this week we will examine another issue that is a problem area in the lives of most Christian people: CONTROLLING THE TONGUE.
Illustration: (human tongue) Though the tongue may seem like a simple organ, it has a wide range of purposes, such as licking, breathing, tasting, assisting in chewing, swallowing, and in articulating speech.
Here's a couple of interesting tidbits about the tongue - Sticking out your tongue is considered unacceptable behavior in many cultures, but it is a sign of respect in others. For instance, in Tibet, sticking out the tongue is considered a proper greeting. When two people meet, they stick out their tongues at each other.
Typically a human tongue is around 3.3 inches for men and 3.1 inches for women. The world’s longest tongue is only 3.97 inches long, from the tip to the middle of the closed top lip, and belongs to Nick Stoeberl of Salinas, California, according to Guinness Book of World Records.
Even though the tongue is very small, the Bible says it is powerful:
James 3:5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.
Although the tongue has many functions, the only function the Bible is addressing when it speaks of controlling the tongue, is the role the tongue plays in articulating speech. In other words, when the Bible uses the word "tongue" it is not concerned with the actual flesh and blood organ that assists in chewing, swallowing, or tasting, but the manner in which we use of the tongue in the process of speech. It's addressing the words we use, and the way we use words to communicate with others.
Let's examine together what the Bible teaches on the topic of Controlling the Tongue. Let's begin first by asking:
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT THE POWER OF WORDS?
A. Words Have Real Power
Words are not simply sounds caused by air passing through our larynx. Words have real power. The Bible teaches us that God spoke and created the world by the power of His words.
Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by God’s command, so that what is seen has been made from things that are not visible.
Furthermore, the Bible says we are created in His image. Of all the creatures on this planet, only man has the ability to communicate through the spoken word. The power to use words is a unique and powerful gift from God.
There is power in the words we speak to build up or tear down others. There's power in the words we speak to create unity or to cause division. There's power to heal or wound others in our words.
Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue…
Are we using our words to build up people or destroy them?
Are the words we speak filled with love or hate?
Blessing or bitterness? Compliments or complaints? Victory or defeat?
Illustration (The Help) "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
Words have a powerful effect on all people, but ESPECIALLY on children - if they are told they are ugly, stupid, bad, worthless, no good, their self-esteem is destroyed and they will usually grow up to become those things. If they are told they are kind, smart, important, valued, they will usually grow up to become that. Why? Because words have power!
I want you to understand this morning that our words are like tools - they can be used to accomplish great good or for evil purposes. Every time you open your mouth to speak, you are either building someone up, or tearing someone down. You are either glorifying your God and Father through your words, or bringing shame upon His Holy Name. WORDS HAVE POWER!
B. Words Have So Much Power That God Will Hold Us Accountable for The Way We Use or Abuse This Power.
Matthew 12:36 I tell you that on the day of judgment people will have to account for every careless word they speak. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Our words not only have the power to bring us death or life in this world, but in the next as well. Words are so important, that we are going to give an account of what we say when we stand before the Lord Jesus Christ.
God takes it very seriously the way we use our words. It is of the utmost importance that we use the power of words properly and not abuse this awesome power God has invested in us.
II. HOW DO WE ABUSE THE POWER OF WORDS?
A. By Being Inconsistent in Our Use of Words.
James 3:9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.
Being inconsistent in our speech is one of the biggest ways we abuse the power of words. Praising God one minute and cursing man the next. We've all been guilty of doing this at times.
Illustration (Road Rage) You're leaving church on Sunday after a powerful and moving service, and then someone cuts you off on the road - you know how the rest of the story goes without me telling you…
Or, here's another scenario: One minute you're telling your friends at work about what God has done for you, or about our church here at Metro Grace, or sharing with them about Christ and His salvation - then just a short time later you're telling an off-color joke, or speaking an untruth, or using a racial slur.
James tells us plainly - "My brothers, these things should not be this way."
We must avoid inconsistency in our speech.
B. Using Foul Language
Ephesians 4:29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
Illustration (Rotting fruit) The Greek word translated “foul” means “rotten.” This word refers to rotten fruit that has begun to stink. That's what God says your foul language looks like to Him - a big pile of rotten stinking fruit.
Being like Christ means we don’t use foul, dirty language. For some reason, many people today think it is manly to use vulgar humor, dirty jokes, and foul language. You can't turn on the TV or go out into public with out hearing the "F" or "MF" word.
Folks, listen to me this morning - this kind of talk has no place in the life of a Christian! Stop dishonoring God and stop tearing others down through coarse, filthy, rotten, foul language! The power of our words must be used to build up and never to tear down!
C. Telling Lies
Col. 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices
Ephesians 4:25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another.
Telling lies, even little "white" lies, is another way we abuse the power of words. As Christians, we should "speak the truth." Telling lies and practicing deception is part of the "old self." We have been transformed by the truth of Christ Jesus and the words from our mouth should reflect the transformation of our heart!
D. Gossip or Stirring Dissension
Proverbs 6:16 The Lord hates six things; in fact, seven are detestable to Him: 17 arrogant eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet eager to run to evil, 19 a lying witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up trouble among brothers.
Years ago I did an in depth word study on this particular passage of Scripture and what I found was an eye-opener. In verse 16, it says "The Lord hates six things…" But, then in the rest of that verse it says, "in fact, seven are detestable to Him."
In the original Hebrew language structure, this denotes that although there are 6 things listed here that God hates, there is a 7th that He hates even more. Now, think about this for a moment: Included in the first 6 things are arrogance, lying, murder, wicked scheming, a propensity towards evil, and perjury.
These 6 are all horrible, sinful, actions that most of us know how much God detests. Yet, here the Bible says that there is one thing God hates even more, and that is a person who uses the power of their words to "stir up trouble among brothers."
We must be careful to NEVER be guilty of gossip and stirring up trouble.
III. WHAT IS THE PROPER USE OF WORDS?
A. To Glorify Our God and Father.
1 Peter 4:11 If anyone speaks, it should be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, it should be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To Him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.
As a Christian, we have the wonderful privilege of worshipping and praising God! We should use our words to honor God at all times; to tell of His goodness, and to share testimonies of what He has done in our lives! When it's time to sing and worship, we ought to open up our mouths and sing at the top of our lungs praising God for who He is and what He's done!
We should always remember that we are God's Ambassadors here on the earth. We are representing Him everywhere we go and in everything we do. So, let's use the power of our words to speak the Word of God into every situation. Let's make certain that God is always glorified through the use of our words!
B. To Tell Others About Jesus.
1 Peter 3:15 but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
It is critical that we open our mouths and use our words to tell those who are lost about the grace, mercy, and hope that can only be found in Christ Jesus!
In Romans 10, the Bible lays out for us God's Plan of Salvation. It teaches us that whoever will trust in Christ and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior will be saved. This is the greatest promise in all the Bible! But, now look at what v. 14 says:
Romans 10:14 But how can they call on Him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about Him? And how can they hear without a preacher?
The bottom line is that people need to hear about Jesus from us. When we don't tell people about Jesus, in essence what we are telling them, is "You go to hell!"
It is imperative that we use the power of our words to share Christ with those who need salvation.
C. To Build Up Others.
Ephesians 4:29 No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
Notice that in this passage of Scripture, Paul is urging us to be a blessing to others. He emphasizes that refraining from foul, coarse, or negative speech is not enough. The truth is that Christianity is not a “don't do this" form of legalistic religion. As followers of Christ we should emulate the example of Jesus whose words were so filled with grace that the multitudes were amazed!
Luke 4:22 They were all speaking well of Him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
God expects us to use the power of words to build up each other in the Body of Christ and never to tear each other down. We should let our words be so full of grace that the world around us is amazed by it!
CONC: As I prepare to close this message, let's look at one final portion of our text from James:
James 3:11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
James asks some interesting questions here. He reminds us that our speech is controlled not by the tongue, but that the source comes from deeper within us. He tells us that you can't get fresh water from a saltwater spring, or figs from grapevines. What does this mean?
Jesus said in:
Matthew 12:34 Brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.
Jesus reminds us that the words we speak from our mouths actually come from the overflow of our hearts. This means that what comes out of our mouths is what is actually in our hearts.
When one becomes a Christian, the Bible tells us that we become a new person and that the old person is dead. There is an expectancy that a change in our speech should follow our conversion because living for Christ should make a difference in every aspect of of our lives.
If we are struggling with controlling the tongue, we must look inward to the heart. We must repent, ask God to forgive us, and ask Him to transform us from the inside out until our speech reflects the work of God in our heart. When our hearts are right, the way we use our words will be right also.
I encourage you this morning to ask God to help us in this area.
