Just a quick recap of part 1
Our passage of examination is James 3:1-12.
We covered James 3:1–3 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 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. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.”
James was a leader-teacher of the church in Jerusalem.
He was addressing that body of believers on the power of the tongue and the need for self-control.
Last Sunday after service, Lisa mentioned that I didn’t use as much scripture as I usually do.
Let me assure you, I will make up some lost ground, today!
Although it may seem that I’m all over the map today, I’ll remind you that the 3 common threads of this series are:
If our tongues are out of control, our relationship with God is out of control.
Our speech, both publicly and privately, is seen by God.
Children hear how we talk to our spouses, our friends and to them.
The adjoining key verse that tied in with these first three verses of James chapter 3 was:
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”
Lastly, as a yard marker for our speech, I asked you to consider these 3 questions:
Is what I am going to say, true?
Proverbs 11:13 ESV “Whoever goes about slandering, reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” -watch yo mouth-
Is what I am going to say, kind?
Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” -watch yo mouth-
Is what I am going to say, necessary?
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” -watch yo mouth-
BODY
Today, we will examine verses 4-8 in James chapter 3.
Please stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.
James 3:1-8 read from my bible.
As we examine verses 4-8, I’d like us to consider:
The importance of God’s spoken Word.
Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Apparently, God left it up to us to have dominion over our tongues!
Two things to reflect on in chapter one:
God created us in His likeness, therefore our words have power in them, as well.
In the first chapter of Genesis, we see “then God said”, 10 times! He spoke it, into existence.
John 1:3 “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
God has given us the power of the spoken word, what we choose to do with it, is up to us:
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Last week I told y’all Ephesians 4:29 is a power verse for me.
This week, I’m sharing another power verse with you, and it is the key verse that ties-in with today’s message:
Luke 6:45 “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.”
Let’s take a brief look at what God’s word says about good and evil treasures of the heart.
Let’s begin with a good treasure of the heart:
1 Kings 3:9–14 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.””
Solomon asked for understanding so that he may discern good from evil.
His words pleased the Lord.
God gave Solomon, not only what he asked for, but much more!
Let’s look at a scripture on evil treasures of the heart:
Romans 1:18–21 “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Pr
Although they knew God, their foolish hearts were darkened.
Another scripture on evil treasure of the heart:
Proverbs 10:20 “The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.”
Now, probably greatest good treasure of the heart:
Romans 10:10 “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
I’d like to go back to:
James 3:4–6 “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. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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.”
James 3:7–8 “For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
James writes about taming the tongue in the first chapter:
James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;”
James 1:26 “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”
This passage in in chapter 3 of James, clearly illustrates how the tongue can put into expression all the wickedness of the world, and conversely:
How a living faith through sanctification can produce the fruit of self-control!
In my first closing today, I want to share with you a few thoughts:
One very effective way to control our tongue is be better listeners.
When you are in a conversation with someone to you listen intently to what the other person is saying, or do you impatiently wait for them to stop talking so you can what you want to say, which of course is infinitely more important?
Proverbs 17:28 “Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.”
Zig Ziglar put it like this: “Better to keep quiet and thought to be fool, rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt!
Solomon also wrote this in:
Ecclesiastes 3:7 “A time to tear, And a time to sew; A time to keep silence, And a time to speak;”
When I meet someone for the first time and we have a one on one conversation, I have a very specific way to learn more about that person.
It is all about asking questions.
When we depart from that conversation, I typically know much more about that person than they know about me!
This is one reason, I so deeply desire us to draw closer to each other through our fellowship potluck.
I want us to move from superficial conversation to meaningful conversations with such intimate details as:
What brings us joy?
How’s our walk with Jesus?
What does our salvation mean to us?
What are we struggling with TODAY?
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying we never have meaningful conversations, just that we need more to become a healthy, growing, tightly bonded church that will withstand all the arrows the devil fires at us!
There is a certain cultivation of trust required to get to that level of conversation, but I believe it will be sooo worth it!
Now, for my second closing:
This is for you husbands and wives.
Anytime I attend a wedding, and there is a journal for people to write to the newlyweds, I usually write these words:
Always remember what attracted you to each other. (Crystal and Ashley’s wedding-write one thing you love about the other person)
The second thing I write is: Never take the other person for granted.
I don’t write this part but “in other words, don’t get complacent in your relationship”.
Continuously use words that build your spouse up!
Ephesians 4:25–27 “Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”
And for my final closing:
3 parts to this closing.
1) Church we need to remember to be pleasing to God in our speech:
Ephesians 5:19 “speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,”
2) Is lengthy, but my belief it is vital for our Spiritual growth:
We need to find ways to encourage others in their and our discipleship:
Paul Blart Mall Cop- Someone said to him “just send them a text”, he replied “I prefer the sentiment of a hand-written letter”.
Doesn’t necessarily need to be hand-written, although there is uniqueness in that. But write someone a hand-written letter of encouragement, put it in an envelope with their name on it, and leave it in the chair they normally sit in at church. Talk about starting someone’s church service experience with an upbeat note!
Encourage someone by sharing your personal testimony of overcoming and growth.
Affirm someone’s worth, in Christ, by tangibly expressing kindness, especially when they hurt!
Be a good listener!
Rejoice in their success- however small or large.
Offer to help someone in their disciple maker experience.
Speak words of encouragement over someone.
Encourage someone by praying for them. Doesn’t get more powerful than that!
Speak kind words. Tami’s grand-daughter.
Try this for a week-intentionally compliment someone-watch their reaction!
3) 100 day challenge-every day read one of the verses included in your handout today.
At the end of the day be intentional of these things:
Did that verse have an impact on your day?
Did it cause you to consider how you speak to others?
Did it soften your heart in any way?
Say goodbye to online viewers.
Heart and Hands fundraiser- Mens basket “fishing lures/gear”
Ask someone to pray us out and bless food.
