THE PERFECT MAN AND SPEECH
I. Introduction:
A. In Bible times, men were allowed to meet in assemblies and discuss--debate issues.
Men were free to discuss whatever was on their mind.
This method was often used by Jesus, Paul and others to spread the Gospel.
It gave men a sense of authority and importance and could result in more a show of
pride than anything else. Also it opened the doors for many who carried false—destructive
ideas. Many who were not mature to speak were allowed to speak.
B. Apparently, there was a rivalry in the assemblies over who would teach. James
warns them of the responsibility of teaching. Those who teach will have a stricter
judgment than those who listen. It is a sad thing when immature Christians try to
become teachers before they are ready. They think they have attained a great
blessing, when they are really asking for a more severe judgment from God!
II. TEACHING AND TEACHERS
A. Teacher
1. Term usage
a. teach --- 108X
b. teacheth --- 17
c. teacher --- 13
d. teaching --- 27
e. teach--- 183
2. Amplified version James 3:1-2
Not many (of you( should become teachers (self-constituted censors and
reprovers of others(, my brethren, for you know that we (teachers( will be
judged by a higher standard and with greater severity (than other people(.
Thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation.
For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if any one
does not offend in speech--never says the wrong things--he is a fully developed
character and perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his
entire nature.
3. Defined:
1320 didaskalos (did-as”-kal-os) from 1321
1) Teacher
2) in the NT one who teaches concerning the things of God, and
the duties of man
1a) one who is fitted to teach
B. Why Teachers?
1. To pass truth from one generation to the next.
2. To offer salvation to the lost.
3. To perfect (mature) the saints --- Eph 4: 11 - 13
C. Importance of Teachers
1. Offices given as Gifts from God --- Eph 4: 11 - 13
2. God set them in the Church -- --1 Cor. 12:28 - 29
Teaching comes before miracles and tongues.
D. Responsibility of Teachers
1. A Watchmen for men's souls --- Ezek. --- Chap. 3
2. Must deliver self from men's blood --- Acts 20: 26
3. Accountability of Knowing --- Luke 12: 46 - 48
James 4:17 no to do good
4. Greater Condemnation --- Judgment --- James 3:1
Condemnation Defined:
E. Requirements to Teach
1. Must be called according to God's purpose ---Members in the body-- Rom 12:5
2. Must be "gifted" with the ministry to teach --- Romans 12:6 - 8
Amplified version Romans 12: 5 - 6
Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace
given us, let us use them: (He whose gift is( prophecy, (let him prophesy(
according to the proportion of faith.
(He whose gift is( practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who
teaches, to his teaching;
3. Not a Novice
a. Teaching can create a feeling of superiority --- pride I Tim 3:6
b. Teaching requires some knowledge
c. Teaching requires spiritual maturity --- Hebrews 5:12 - 14
4. Must have experienced the Baptism of the Holy Ghost
a. Jesus said tarry (for power) before you carry (the message) Acts 1
b. The Holy Ghost Baptism is a sign of surrendering the whole person
to God --- exhibited by the little member --- Tongue
v. 8 "But the tongue can no man tame" --- The Holy Ghost can
c. Holy Ghost Teaches
(1) Luke 12:12
(2) John 14:26
(3) I Cor. 2:13
(4) I John 2:27
F. Who can teach?
1. Those who have the calling and meet the requirements of spiritual maturity.
2. Pastors Teach --- I Tim 3:2 II Tim 2:24 (apt to teach)
3. Older Holiness Women (Mothers in Israel) --- Titus 2:3 - 5
4. Nature Teaches --- I Cor 11:14
G. Who cannot Teach?
1. Those who have not the calling and do not meet the requirements
2. False Teachers are to be shunned --- II Peter 2:1 - 3
3. Jezebel ---symbolic name for false, rebellious doctrine Rev 2:20
H. Who can and can not be taught?
1. Can be taught
a. A teachable spirit can learn --- subjecting oneself to another to profit
b. An open mind can learn
c. Constructive criticism is good --- Search the Scriptures Acts 17:11
2. Cannot be taught
a. A proud spirit cannot learn
b. A closed mind cannot learn
c. Destructive criticism is a sign of a proud mind which cannot learn
Some Christians seldom receive a blessing in the public worship
and teaching service because they did not come to be taught, but rather
to judge the content and composition of the speaker's message. (Lehman Strauss pg 122)
I. Two Dangers which every Teacher must Avoid.
1. Truth vs. Opinion
Always have every care that he is teaching the truth, and not his own
opinions, or even his own prejudices.
2. Talking vs. Walking
He must have every care that he does not contradict his teaching by
his way of life.
III. The Barometer of Christian Maturity --- The control of the tongue is the barometer of
Christian Maturity. The speech of any Christian will soon reveal whether or not he is
spiritual. (Remember Teachers --- This is where you can distinguish if you qualify)
A. Masters (teachers) must tame the tongue.
The content and character of one's conversation is an indicator of his maturity.
People who gossip simply are immature (spiritually and perhaps mentally
as well).
B. The Power of the Tongue
1. Power to Direct: The Bit and Rudder (Helm)
a. Opposing Forces
(1) The Bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse.
Disobedience results in pain.
Human Application--- Unguarded statement results in trouble.
(2) The Rudder must overcome fierce winds
The mistake of the steersman can sink the ship.
Human Application --- Loose lips sink ships. (WW II )
One slogan used during World War II was "a slip of the lip may
sink a ship." There is a picture of a South Pacific battle scene
in which marines are storming a beachhead. They are dropping
everywhere. One marine is wounded and bleeding. The
picture bears a two-word title: "Somebody Talked." It may be
that the tongue has slain more than have all the bullets and
bombs of battle. (RRR pg 78)
The bit and the rudder have power to direct, which means they
affect the lives of others. A runaway horse or a shipwreck could
mean injury or death to pedestrians or passengers. (WW pg 92)
We often think that our words are unimportant, but the wrong word
can direct the listener into the wrong paths. An idle word, a questionable
story, a half-truth, or a deliberate lie could change the course of a life and
lead it to destruction. On the other hand, the right Word, used by the
Spirit, could direct a soul out of sin and into salvation. Just as the horse
needs a guide, and the rudder needs a pilot, so our tongues need
the Lord to control them.
2. Power to Destroy: The Fire and Animal (v. 5 - 8)
a. A fire can begin with just a small spark, but it can destroy
a city. (Even the city of Refuge)
b. Our words can start fires.
Prov. 26:20 -21
In some churches, there are members or officers who cannot
control their tongues, and the result is destruction. Let them move
out of town or be replaced in office, and a beautiful spirit of
harmony an love takes over. (WW pg 94)
c. Fire not only starts small and grows, and creates heat; it defiles.
Smoke--- Kills the victim ----- defiles the property.
d. Fire burns and hurts, and our words can burn and hurt.
Prov. 26:22
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go
down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Read Psalms 64
Prov. 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever:
but a lying tongue isbut for a moment.
Prov. 16:27 An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his
lips there is as a burning fire.
e. Fire spreads, and the more fuel you give it, the faster and
farther it will spread.
(People who visit the scene of a fire don't know who is to blame,
but they can sure see the effects of the fire.)
f. As it spreads, fire destroys; and the words we speak have the
power to destroy. For every word in Hitler's book, Mein Kampf,
125 lives were lost in WW II.
Prov !8:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue:
and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
g. Not only is the tongue like a fire, but it is also like a dangerous
animal. It is restless and cannot be ruled, it seeks its prey down
and then pounces and kills.
Prov. 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword:
but the tongue of the wise is health.
h. Some animals are poisonous, and some tongues spread poison.
Ps 140:3 They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent;
adders' poison isunder their lips. Selah.
How many times has some malicious person injected a bit of
poison into a conversation, hoping it would spread and finally get to
the person he or she wanted to hurt?
Would you turn hungry lions or angry snakes loose in your Sunday
Morning Service? Of course not! But unruly tongues accomplish
the same results.
i. Animals can be tamed; and fires can be controlled. When you
tame an animal, you get a worker instead of a destroyer. When you
control fire, you generate power.
Tongue is an unruly evil
3. Power to Delight: The Fountain and Tree ( v. 9 -12)
a. Water is life-giving, and our words can give life.
However, if water is not controlled, it brings death and destruction.
John 4 at the well --- "living-water"
b. Water cleanses.
Ephesions 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it (church(
with the washing of water by the word,
c. The tongue is also delightful because it is like a tree.
"Please" and "Thank you" --- show appreciation
"I'm sorry" --- breaks down walls and builds bridges.
"I love you." --- Not romance, but caring.
"I'm praying for you." --- caring and encouragement
d. The most important thing about a tree is the root system.
Ephesions 3:17-19 (read) That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;
that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
e. A fountain cannot give forth two different kinds of water,
and a tree cannot bear two different kinds of fruit.
Matt 3:10 hewn down and cast into fire
Matt 7:15 Sheep or Wolves; Grapes or Thorns ; Figs or Thistles;
Good Tree or Corrupt Tree; Good Fruit or Evil Fruit
f. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something radically wrong
with the heart.
What is in your heart will be on your lips.
IV. CONCLUSION ON TEACHERS
A. THE MAN WHO OUGHT NEVER TO BE A TEACHER
"Who is a wise man?" --- Remember --- Be not many masters (teachers)
1. "and endued with knowledge" Define endued with knowledge:
It is not enough simply to stand before the people and say words;
you must have something to say. This is where spiritual wisdom
comes in. All of us have heard preachers or teachers who say many
good things, but who somehow miss the heart of God's message and
fail to relate truth to everyday life. (W. W. pg 103)
2. "with meekness of wisdom"
Meekness is not weakness; it is power under control. The Greek word
was used for a horse that had been broken so that his power was
under control. (W. W. pg110)
If you think being meek is weak, try being meek for a week.
B. A Scholar and a teacher is always under a DOUBLE TEMPTATION
1. He is under the temptation of ARROGANCE.
a. They are used to being listened to.
b. They are used to having their words accepted.
c. They are used to telling people rather than listening to people.
Jeremiah 9:23 And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies:
but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they
proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the LORD.
It is easy to go on an ego trip under the guise of spiritual zeal. (W. W. pg 108)
It is very difficult to be a teacher or a preacher and to remain humble; but
however difficult it is, it is absolutely necessary. (W. B. pg 107)
2. He is under the temptation of BITTERNESS.
To be utterly convinced of one's own beliefs without at the same time
being bitter to those of others is no easy thing, and yet it is a first
necessity of the Christian teacher of scholar. (W. B. pg 108)
1 Cor 3: 1- 3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto
ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you
envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and
walk as men?
C. Four Characteristics of the WRONG kind of teaching.
1. It is fanatical. The truth it holds is held with unbalanced violence rather
than with reasoned conviction.
2. It is bitter. It regards its opponents as enemies to be annihilated rather
than as friends to be persuaded.
3. It is selfishly ambitious. It is , in the end, more eager to display itself
than to display the truth, and it is interested more in the victory of its own
opinions than in the victory of the truth.
4. It is arrogant. Its whole attitude is pride in its own knowledge rather
than humility in its own ignorance. The real scholar will be far more
aware of what he does not know than of what he knows.
D. The WRONG kind of Wisdom (v. 15-16)
1. It is earthly. Its standards are earthly standards; its sources are earthly
sources. It measures success in worldly terms; and its aims are
worldly aims. (W. B. pg 109)
2. It is characteristic of the natural man. --- sensual --- animalistic
It was used of the Greeks to describe a politician out canvassing for votes.
Simply put --- Dirty Politics
4. Envying and strife breed confusion.
Job 5:2 Call now, if there be any that will answer thee;
and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?&
1 Cor 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of
peace, as in all churches of the saints.
E. The TRUE Wisdom (v. 17-18)
1. From above --- James 1 :17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
2. It is pure
The true wisdom which is so cleansed of all ulterior motives,
so cleansed of self, that it has become pure enough to see God. Worldly
wisdom might wish to escape God's sight.
Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that
are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.
3. It is peaceable.
The church can never have peace by sweeping sins under the rug and
pretending they are not there. Man's wisdom says, "Cover up sin! Keep
things together!" God's wisdom says,"Confess sin and My peace will
keep things together!" (W. W. pg 111)
Heb 12:11 Peaceable fruit Now no chastening for the present seemeth
to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth
the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby.
Heb 12:14 Follow Peace Follow peace with all men, and holiness,
without which no man shall see the Lord:
4. It is gentle.
Of all the Greek words in the N. T. this is the most untranslatable.
The man who is gentle is the man who knows when it is actually wrong
to apply the strict letter of the law. He is the man who knows how to forgive
when strict justice gives him a perfect right to condemn. He is the man who
knows how to make allowances, the man who knows how to temper justice
with mercy, the who always remembers that there are greater things in the
world than rules and regulations. (w. B. pg 112)
Matthew Arnold called it "sweet reasonableness".
It carries the meaning of moderation without compromise, gentleness
without weakness.
5. It is easy to be intreated.
The truly wise man is for ever ready and willing to obey God, whenever
God's voice comes to him.
God's wisdom makes the believer agreeable and easy to live with and work
with. He can disagree without being disagreeable. When God's wisdom
is at work, there is a willingness to listen, think, pray, and obey whatever
God reveals. (W. W. pg 111)
6. It is "full of mercy and good fruits". Define full again: (Also in v. 8 Compare)
Christian mercy is mercy for any man who is in trouble, even if he has
brought that trouble on himself.
7. True wisdom is without partiality.
It means true wisdom has certain convictions which it will not change.
8. True wisdom is without hypocrisy.
It does not deal in deception.
F. Concluding Remarks by:
1. William Barclay.
Nothing can grow in an atmosphere where men are at variance with each other.
A group, a Church, anybody of men where there is bitterness and strife is a
barren and a sterile soil in which the seeds of righteousness can never grow, and out of which no reward can ever come. The man who disturbs personal relationships, the man who is responsible for strife and bitterness has cut himself off from the reward which God gives to those who live His life.
Without right relationships between man and man, righteousness cannot exist, and all man's striving for righteousness is rendered ineffective and without reward. (pg 114)
2. Warren W. Wiersbe
The most important thing we can do in our local churches is measure
our ministries by the Word of God, not by wisdom of men. The many
battles among Christians, the church splits, the absence of purity and peace
all suggest that something is wrong. Perhaps that "something" is the
absence of the wisdom of God. (pg 114)
"Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth
understanding." Prov 3:13
