Opener:
Well Good Morning Church! We are so excited that you have decided to join us here this morning. What a blessing to be here worshiping the Lord together!
Those that are watching online, Welcome, we are so happy that you have joined us here this morning and those that are watching the replay!
We are continuing our sermon series in the book of James here this morning. During our first installment of the series, we learned that James, the half brother of Jesus, wrote this book to the twelve tribes of Israel that were scattered around. Duly noted, this book was the first written in the New Testament. We learned that through our trials and tribulation, we are called to count it all joy. We talked about how we are called to be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Last week, we talked about James Chapter two. We talked about that as believers; we are not to show partiality towards others. This partiality or favoritism in the eyes of God is a sin. We talked about having an active faith in the Lord and that this faith saves us from the enemy. We talked about how walking by faith will cause us to produce good works in our lives.
This morning, we are talking about James chapter three. James chapter three opens with a warning. It warns that not many should be teachers as teachers shall be held to a higher standard and will be judged more strictly.
James further goes on to talk about the power of words.
American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne said, “Words - so innocent and powerless as they are, as standing in a dictionary, how potent and evil they become in the hands of someone who knows how to combine them.”
Yes, words can be evil and destructive. Honestly, if you’ve ever lived through the Junior High years you know just how true this is. But words can also be life giving, creative, and wonderful. Simply think for a moment about a time when someone spoke encouraging and life-giving words to you. Wasn’t it absolutely amazing!?!
In fact, we know from the book of Genesis that God literally spoke the world into existence. And Psalm 33:9 says, “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Words are powerful! Words have meaning. An ill-timed or perfectly timed word spoken to another can impact them for their entire lives. Think about that for a moment… You can change the trajectory of another person’s life, simply by the way you speak to them.
I. Warning to Leaders
A. Not many teachers
a. If you have your bibles, turn with me to James Chapter three starting in verse one: James 3:1-4 (NKJV) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
b. This particular text is a warning to church leaders. It is a warning for pastors, missionaries and those that preach the Word of God.
c. Those that are teaching God’s Word must know that this is a great responsibility and they will be held to a higher standard.
d. Therefore, take this responsibility seriously, one with a Godly fear.
e. James is acknowledging just how serious the situation is by revealing the weight of that responsibility he or she carries.
B. Practical examples
a. James goes on to give three practical examples (Verses 3-5) about how something large and powerful is controlled by a comparably tiny thing.
b. A horse’s bit, the rudder of a ship, and even a small fire are all used to make a big point. All of these things are ultimately under the control/will of something else.
c. It’s a good reminder that we do have a role to play in all this—we have a responsibility over our words, our tongues, and the choice to use them for profit or destruction in the kingdom.
d. And what is the potential for disaster here? Why is this such a big deal? Just read verse 3:6 and think about all the ways the tongue is described in one verse:
i. Is a fire
ii. A world of unrighteousness
iii. Set among our members (All the “members” of our bodies)
iv. Staining the whole body - This one member has the ability to stain and pollute all other members of the body.
v. Setting on fire the entire course of life - this is better translated as the circle of life. Which shows the tongue’s ability to spread evil beyond just the individual and literally to everything in its sphere of influence.
vi. Set on fire by hell - The tongue has the unique potential to “unleash hell” on others.
e. That’s a pretty intimidating list… and the point James is trying to make is getting clearer and clearer. No human has been able to tame the tongue!
f. When we curse others and then sing praises out of the same mouth it sends the wrong message to others. But worst of all, it reminds us of our inherent sinful nature.
g. Yes, we are new creations, yes we are being sanctified, and yes God will bring us through trials and sufferings all the way to perfection. But, our words often remind us, in a very painful way, just how rotten and awful we can be to one another.
C. Preach the Word
a. Let’s be very clear, while James is giving us a warning, it is not to be used as an excuse not to preach the Word.
b. James is just letting us know that those that do preach, they will be given a stricter judgment.
c. In fact, Timothy instructs us to preach the good news in 2 Timothy 4:2(NKJV) 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
d. In other words, be ready at all times to share the good news of the gospel. To encourage and correct if necessary.
e. The preaching of the Word is necessary because people will not put up with sound teaching, instead they will gather around them teachers that preach what their ichy ears want to hear.
f. Please will turn away from the truth and turn to myths.
D. Profitable
a. Preaching of the Word is profitable. It is useful, the bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16(NKJV) 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
b. In other words, the preaching of God’s Word will yield a great harvest.
c. It will be beneficial to the one who receives the Word and will also bless the one sharing.
d. The Word brings sinners to repentance, for the believer the Word brings them to a maturity in their walk with Christ.
i. When the believer’s comes to a maturity, they will begin to understand and use the authority that they have been given.
ii. When we operate in Christ authority, we will pick up poisonous snakes and they will not harm us, we will trample over the enemy. Hallelujah!
II. Powerful words
A. The power of the tongue
a. James starting in verse five which says: (NKJV) Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
b. While the fire that the tongue has is little, it can be used to burn many.
i. As I kid, I can remember the saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones but names have never hurt me.
ii. This little saying could not be the farthest thing from the truth.
c. The pain of harmful words can hurt us for a lifetime, long after a broken bone has healed.
B. Power of life or death
a. Our words are so powerful that they can either produce life or death in our lives and those around us.
b. Since this is the New Testament proverb’s, let’s look into the Old Testament proverbs which talks about the power of one’s words:
i. Proverbs 10:19-21(NKJV) 19 In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little. 21 The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.
ii. Proverbs 18:2 (ESV)- “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
iii. Proverbs 18:4 (ESV)- “The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.”
iv. Proverbs 18:6 (ESV) - “A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.”
v. Proverbs 18:7 (ESV) - “A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.”
vi. Proverbs 18:20 (ESV) - “From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.”
vii. Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)- “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
C. Out of the heart
a. The words that we speak are a direct result of what is in our hearts.
b. Luke 6:45(NKJV) 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
c. A heart that is critical is a heart that will produce critical words.
d. A loving heart will produce a gracious tongue.
e. May your words be a fountain of life that just pour out to other people’s lives. Therefore, seek opportunities to build others up, look for opportunities to speak kind words to others.
D. Hypocrisy of the tongue
a. James continues in verse 9-12 (NKJV) 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
b. The tongue can be the highest calling or expression of our adoration to God and it can also be the lowest of evil in that we use it to curse God’s creation.
c. James is trying to teach us that our speech should be consistent.
d. We should not use one type of tone while in church and then a completely different one at home or at our workplaces.
e. How many are you feeling a bit convicted right about now?
E. Salt or Fresh Water
a. James points out the fact that it is impossible for a body of water to produce both salt and fresh water.
b. While it may be our natural reaction to share harsh or bitter words, we have to be careful as this is damaging our walk with the Lord.
c. As an observation, I have noticed that those that are mature in their walk with the Lord, they work to keep their tongues under control.
d. Truly, this can only be done by the power of the Holy Spirit.
III. Heavenly Wisdom
A. Good works
a. James follows up on the topic of heavenly wisdom here in verse 13which says: 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
b. Wisdom is not just having head knowledge. Rather, wisdom is revealed when our lives reflect the good conduct of following the Lord.
c. True wisdom is revealed through a meek heart. Jesus taught us in the book of Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) 5 Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
d. So when good works are done, we do not blow a horn or trumpet to draw attention to ourselves as this lacks heavenly wisdom.
B. Good character
a. Having heavenly wisdom will be displayed in our character.
b. James further goes on starting in verse 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
C. Earthly wisdom
a. When looking at wisdom, there are two kinds. There is an earthly wisdom which is rooted in worldly standards and thinking. It is noted that this worldly wisdom can fluctuate dramatically.
b. This worldly wisdom seems right and good however, it does not come from God rather, it comes from the devil and his accomplices.
c. This type of wisdom is foolishness in the sight of the Lord.
D. Heavenly wisdom
a. As believers, we are not interested in having worldly wisdom. We are interested in heavenly wisdom.
b. James further goes to say in verse 17 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
c. Notice how heavenly wisdom comes from above. It comes by the voice and revelation of God in one’s life through the Word.
d. This wisdom is pure and peaceable and produces and abundant harvest.
Closing:
As we close this morning, James gives us a tremendous amount of insight that we have been given authority over the enemy in our lives. This chapter in particular is filled with words of wisdom and warnings. The goal of James three and not only this chapter but overall is for us to come into a spiritual maturity in Christ. Without reservation, we need to draw closer to God in our lives.
While this chapter in James may be the shortest, it provides us with some practical tips that will assist us in living out our faith. The power of the tongue is immense. It can cause you to steer your ship to safety or it can navigate you to sure destruction. Our words are powerful, they can produce life in our lives and others or they can cause destruction and be very harmful to others. The choice is ours! Are we going to use our words to build others up or tear them down? I trust we will choose to build others up. I trust that we will be consistent with our words while in the community at large. James further goes on to teach us about acquiring true wisdom. The wisdom that we are seeking originates from above. This type of wisdom will cause us to flourish in our walk with the Lord.
