Chico Alliance Church
Pastor David Welch
“Taming the Tongue”
For several weeks we have gazed into the mirror of God’s word exposing areas in our life where our daily behavior doesn’t match our belief. Genuine faith involves God’s sufficient inner persuasion to inspire our response. When we encounter a promise or proposition from God in His word, He stirs an inner persuasion to act on that promise. We act based on the authority of God and the validity of the proposition. God made the world out of nothing. The death of Jesus on our behalf makes reconciliation with God possible. God promises never to leave us or forsake us. Full faith in those propositions cause us to embrace them and respond accordingly.
James recorded instructions for those who claim to live by faith to follow.
He also provided numerous insights along the way related to those instructions.
I. Faith’s response to trials 1:2-27
Joyfully endure – continued endurance produces maturity and stability.
II. Faith’s response to partiality and prejudice 2:1-13
Love others as ourselves
III. Faith’s True Nature 2:14-26
Believe God and behave godly
Today we bravely venture once again in front of God’s mirror. This time to see what the mirror reveals about our speech, what comes out of our mouth, our conversations with others. What do the words uttered by our tongue reveal about out heart?
IV. Faith’s response to conversation 3:1-12
Control your speech
I find only one command in this next section. The bulk of this section provides the rationale for the command.
A. The instruction
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers,
Again, James demonstrates his personal affection for his readers. Two observations concerning his frequent use of the term “brothers”. One: he sees them as fellow followers of Jesus. Two: he expresses a warm affection for them.
He instructs them to avoid being a teacher. The rest provides the reason why they should not pursue becoming a teacher.
B. The insights
1. Insight #1 – you are subject to greater judgment
The first line of reasoning has to do with a higher accountability.
for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. James 3:1
Any time you encounter a “for” look for some type of reasoning to follow. Don’t rush into becoming a teacher because you intuitively know that teachers encounter greater scrutiny and accountability. James does not specify the source of this greater scrutiny or judgment. The assumption it will come from God. From experience, it could also be a reminder that those in the public eye often receive greater criticism and scrutiny. The more one talks, the greater the possibility of misspeaking.
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10:19
2. Insight #2 – everybody stumbles
James may have meant only teachers or expanded the insight regarding everyone.
“we who teach”
“we all (who teach) stumble in many ways”
It is unclear whether he intended all who teach or all inclusively. Either interpretation reflects a known Biblical principle. Paul made it clear that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Experience certainly reinforces the imperfection of all people.
The insight here is that…We all stumble in many ways.
“All” = each and every one, together, each and every part. i.e. everybody stumbles.
The term “stumble” is not difficult to understand. He previously used the term in the previous chapter regarding failing/stumbling in any part of the law makes us culpable for the whole. It means to trip, fall, offend, fail, sin.
The word for “knowing” indicates an intuitive knowledge of something. Intuitively and experientially we all know that everybody stumbles. There is no question that everybody stumbles and the variety of ways we can and do mess up are plentiful.
The stumbling is not limited to our words but include actions and attitudes. Somehow, we harbor high expectations of people. We act surprised when they do stumble. We should expect everyone to stumble and be surprised when they don’t.
This is true across the board. Church life, married life, family life, public life.
We ALL stumble in MANY ways.
3. Insight #3 – Controlled tongue, controlled life
James further postulates that if you find someone who never stumbles in their words, you have found a perfect person.
And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
Only Jesus accomplished this control of His words because He had a perfect heart.
When Jesus left there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be very hostile and to question Him closely on many subjects, plotting against Him to catch Him in something He might say. Luke 11:53-54
What comes out of our mouth reflects the condition of the heart. What simmers in the heart steams out of the mouth. One who masters their talk manages their walk.
One who harnesses, controls, checks their speech demonstrates a high level of spiritual maturity. James already touched on this a bit earlier when he exposed the “religion” that fails to bridle the tongue as worthless. He suggested that we be quick to hear and slow to speak. He doesn’t advocate complete silence but purposeful control of our speech.
The rest of this section illustrates the powerful influence of speech. This powerful influence includes all communication with written and spoken words. Before we explore the passage, we need to be clear concerning the core of the issue. Everyone knows that the physical tongue is not really the problem. It is only a vehicle for the heart and mind to communicate thoughts. Jesus made this very clear.
Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless idle word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:33-37
This reference indicates there will be a divine judgment based on our words.
The thought of accountability for every word is frightening.
4. Insight #4 – our speech yields a powerful influence
James hammers home four power principles regarding speech/words. Remember, James focuses on speech which emanates from our heart.
a. The tongue wields great influence both good and bad.
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. James 3:3-6
We observe four readily recognizable analogies. Note the common theme in all of them.
Tiny bit controls the whole horse.
Tiny rudder controls the whole ship
Tiny spark destroys the whole forest
Tiny tongue enflames and defiles the whole body and life
Words play a crucial role in our personal and public life. Words influence the very course of our life and the lives of others.
Paul was clear about what the intent of our words should be.
Let no worthless speech come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the need, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
This serves as a template for all our words.
Some people have no filter for their words. Paul told the Ephesians to filter their words so that only words that build make it through the filter.
Only words that help and heal.
Only the words that energize others.
Only positive words that lift.
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Prov 16:23-24
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:5-6
There are “death” words and “life” words; words that build, words that break.
Does our speech energize or discourage?
Does our communication motivate of mutilate?
Does our talk shame or support?
Does our conversation communicate reception or rejection?
Paul’s instruction about what we think about serves as a good tool for what we talk about.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
Talk about these things.
Sometimes it is not just the words but the tone and body language that communicate rejection or negativity.
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1
The wise in heart will be called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Prov 16:21
James focuses on the speech that potentially destroys.
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. Proverbs 21:23
b. The tongue is greatly influenced by hell 3:6
and is set on fire by hell.
“hell” is associated with Satan just as heaven is associated with God. Shortly James will identify the source of worldly thinking.
This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. James 3:15
There may be occasions when we allow the enemy to influence our conversations.
Peter allowed Satan to use his tongue to try to influence Jesus.
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:32-33
When we allow Satan to influence our thinking it will ultimately come out in our talking. Many of us have heard some speech set on fire by hell. Sometimes we ourselves have allowed the enemy to ignite our speech. Some of it is obvious. Some not so obvious. Often, we do not realize the power of our negative words. We sometimes feel a negativity, a darkness, an assault on our spirit. People’s words have a “pull”. Either they produce a positive pull or a negative pull. Not only do they cause emotional harm, but they can energize demonic powers to act. They can serve as a curse that demons view as permission to do harm. This is especially true when uttered from authority figures. How many times have we said, “I wish that…” followed by some negative wish.
c. The tongue is untamable and destructive 3:7-8
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.
Thus the opening observation that we ALL stumble in MANY ways.
Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God endures all day long.
Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit.
You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right.
You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue. Psalm 52:1-4
His speech was smoother than butter, but his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords. Psalm 55:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21
d. The tongue is highly inconsistent 3:9-12
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. James 3:9-12
It is inconsistent to bless God and blast His kids. It is inconsistent to commend the artist and condemn the artist’s work. Most of us could cite examples of this insight.
People who at one time commend you end up condemning you. One time you feel blessed, another time you get blasted. What does not occur in nature seems to happen with people. Fresh and bitter water. Life and death words. Olives on fig trees. Encouraging and discouraging words. Salt water and fresh water. Words that hurt and words that heal.
Of course, the cause of an inconsistent message is an inconsistent heart. James addresses the source of quarrels and disputes among Jesus followers. It involves the condition of the heart. Paul listed numerous tell-tale signs of the one living by the flesh not the Spirit. Many of them connect to speech.
Enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy (Galatians 5:20-21)
Fortunately, James later includes a cure for the “disease” of the heart that produces the destruction of the tongue.
The book of Proverbs address both the negative and positive influence of speech.
Proverbs makes a strong correlation between a wise heart and encouraging speech.
All through the New Testament we find calls to encourage one another with words.
I have included in your notes some Bible verses that I call “Tongue Tamers”.
I urge you to read through them this week. When you realize there may be a problem with you tongue, ask God to do some investigation of your heart.
Prayer
O LORD, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You! May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering. Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice deeds of wickedness with men who do iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Psalms 141:1-4
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalms 139:23-24
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14
