I. Introduction
a. Book of James
i. Written as a pastoral encouragement
and rebuke
ii. The book caused a lot of controversy in
the early church.
b. James uses the term we in these passages
i. Many of us can think of times when we
have stuck our foot in our mouth.
ii. James is not talking about the use of
four letter words, he is talking about
the tearing down of others.
iii. James gives us Four Truths about the
tongue.
II. First, the tongue is not easily controlled
(3:2-5a)
a. James says that the person who can control
his tongue is a perfect man.
b. Even animals are controlled by their
tongues.
c. We use our tongues to gossip.
d. We often shout at others when we are driving
in our cars.
e. We lie, put others down, we boast and
exaggerate.
f. Rumors destroy lives.
III. Second, no man can control the tongue (3:5b-8)
a. Only God can control the tongue
b. We either allow God to control our tongue or
our tongue controls us.
c. A ship is out of control or a horse is out
of control.
d. A “fire from hell”
IV. Third, the tongue can be used for good or evil
(3:9-10)
a. We sing praises to God, but curse others on
the way home.
b. Our words can destroy.
i. 1 John 4:20 - “If someone says I love
God yet hates a brother he is a liar.”
ii. Proverbs 12:18 - “Reckless words pierce
like a sword, but the tongue of the wise
brings healing.”
c. Our words should be used to encourage people.
i. Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome
word proceed from your mouth, but only
such a word as is good for edification
according to the need of the moment, so
that it will give grace to those who
hear.”
ii. Hebrews 3:13 says, “encourage one
another day after day, as long as it is
still called today, so that none of you
will be hardened by the deceitfulness of
sin.”
V. Fourth, what I say is a reflection of who I am
(3:11-12)
a. Jesus said, “But the things that come out of
the mouth come from the heart, and these
make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart
come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual
immorality, theft, false testimony,
slander. These are what make a
man ‘unclean.’”
b. Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the
heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings
good things out of the good stored up in
him, and the evil man brings evil things out
of the evil stored up in him. But I tell
you that men will have to give account on
the day of judgment for every careless word
they have spoken. For by your words you
will be acquitted, and by your words you
will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:34-37)
VI. Closing
a. James 1:26 says, If anyone thinks himself to
be religious, and yet does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this
man’s religion is worthless.”
b. James says that we should show our
Christianity by what we say.
