Taming The Tongue
The tongue of the human body is a very specialized organ. It is used for two distinct purposes. One is for eating. In eating the tongue is used in tasting as well as (did you know digestion). In digestion the tongue crushes food against the mouth, and also moves the food along so that the teeth can grind the food down and also helps the food along the pathway of you throat to you stomach.
There are some folks that say the Human adult tongue is specialized for speaking. The way that it is designed allows for the tongue to help in saying all of the various vowels, consonants, and other sounds that help us to communicate regardless of what language we speak. Some have even given the tongue, the great title of The strongest muscle in the Body.
How interesting it is that the strongest muscle in the Body is also the Hardest one to Tame.
In James chapter 3 we see through the eyes of the Pastor of Jerusalem some advice given by the word of God the wisdom in controlling the tongue.
James has just completed his talk about faith and works. Some say this is an abrupt change of course. But as teachers in Chapter 1 our words affect the faith of others, and our words can harm or destroy. Lets look at how James explained the strength of the tongue.
This 3rd chapter of the Epistle of James or letter of James seems in verse 1 to be directed to those who desire to become teachers in the Church of Jesus. I believe that not only teachers but all God’s people can gain wisdom, insight, and grow in the Lord by understanding what James was trying to say to the people of his day.
James 3.2-12
I. Tongue Tactics—The Tongue direction.
A) It takes a perfect person to tame the tongue. (James 1.2)
1) What are Christians found of saying.
“I’m not perfect just forgiven.” (found on cars as bumper stickers)
2) There is only one Good and perfect person that ever walked the earth—Jesus Christ.
3) James shows or reminds us about stumbling.
Romans 3.23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.”
Verse 2 we all stumble in many ways.
a) We are told if we could only bridle our tongue (like a horse) we could control the whole body.
1) No more chocolate attacks
2) No more need for drugs
3) No more lusting
4) No more caffine chaos
If we could only stop stumbling, inserting foot in mouth.
B) 3 Great Illustrations. On the power of small things.
1) James 3.3 -- Bits in Horses mouths.
a) With something as small as a round piece of metal the very direction of the horse can be changed. (With only a gentle tug)
b) The bit affects the entire body not just the mouth.
2) James 3.4 – Ships and their rudders.
a) Large vessel moved directed by a small piece of wood
1) Tongue shapped rudder moves the boat
2) Big Strong powerful, but controlled by a small stick
A 300 lb man can be brought to his knees by a master martial artist.
Why are these illustrations so important?
-- They show that small almost insignificant things can change the direction or course of much larger things. A small but powerful force can often change the tide of battle.
C) How can control over our Tongues help our bodies.
1) James 3.5
a) The body like a horse and a Ship can be directed by something seemingly insignificant.
b) I already said the tongue is Highly specialized.
a) For speech
b) For digestion.
2) But also it has power. Jas 3.5
Proverbs 18.21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue. And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
The meaning of this proverb may be gleaned from Proverbs 13.3
“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
Speak life not death
Power to spark feuds, arguments, divisions, strife, pain, anguish, etc. . .
-- As the proverbs, which James has a big foundation, show the import of wisdom, it can be taken from these that, The ability to bridle or control or reign in ones tongue is one of the clearest or most illustrative (illustrations) marks of wisdom.
The fruit of guarding would be life.
The fruit of using it unwisely or harmfully death.
Be one who heals not one who harms.
Don’t let the tongue wag the person have the person wag the tongue.
Transition: Where there are tactics there is often present war. The tactics of the tongue or direction can often lead to Tongue Armageddon.
II. Tongue Armageddon – destruction comes easily from the tongue.
A) Jas 3. 6-8 Tongue is likened to fire and Posion.
1) Flames are often described like a tongue
The flames licked up the side of the building ever growing in intensity until the monster finally devoured the beautiful home.
2) What is one of the greatest wildfires to ever burn across the modern day Church.
a) Paul talked about it in his day.
1) 2 Timothy 3.2-5 Turn to and read.
2) The great WA Criswell in a Sermon titled our Words.
Pointed out that those that were malicious gossips, without self-control were ranked among those that were unloving, irreconcilable, brutal, haters of good.
b) If we are like those he spoke of we will answer for such actions.
1) Jesus said in Matthew 12.37
“For by you words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
2) As I stated earlier our Death and life are in the power of the tongue, we should be like Jesus spreading Words of life.
B) Fighting the Word of death (Devil is the demon of death words)
1) James 4:7 says “Submit therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
2) But How brother Billy (submit and resist)
a) Revelation 12:11
“But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and the word of their testimony
they did no love their lives even in the face of death.
1) Blood of the lamb –
if you are a Christian you victory in Jesus.
a) overcame, Nokai , nike, victory
Complete
2) Word of their testimony.
3) Didn’t love their lives
a) Stop boasting in yourself
b) Start boasting in Christ.
Don’t Pass the Trash. Gossiping, backbiting, story telling( tall tales), have no place in either God’s house, your house, or my house.
Don’t let your tongue control you control your tongue.
III. Tongue Wrangling. -- God who is perfect alone can tame the Tongue.
A) We must first realize we can’t tame our tongue alone.
1) Jas 3.8
2) Restless evil full of deadly poison.
B) In verse 2 James stated if anyone does not stumble in what he says (controls their tongue) he is perfect.
1) Only God is good and perfect.
2) James has drawn us back to God.
3) Only through spiritual warfare can the tongue be tamed.
1) With the same tongue we can bless God
and Curse men.
--These things ought not to be Jas 3.10
4) Argument from the absurd
a) Does a fountain have clear cool tasty water
and at the same time black stinking nasty water
Answer No
b) Can a fig tree produce both figs and olives.
Answer No
c) It is crazy to think that a fig tree could produce anything other than figs
-- You wouldn’t expect a tomato plant to produce cucumbers, or an apple tree to produce watermelons.
5) Then why is it okay for the mouth of Christians to produce strife, conflict, pain, suffering, discontent. And more and more.
Answer it is not!
Jesus talking about taking oaths said let your yes be yes and your no be no.
I could tell you about a 8 or 12 page paper I wrote no that subject but let me instead put it as simply as I can.
If you can’t say it to someone’s face te bible is saying don’t say it at all.
Build up or edify, not tear down.
If we can’t build each other up how can we hope to help someone with no foundation in Christ to build a holly temple for the HS to reside in.
Conclusion
Tactics
Tactics can change the course of a battle.
So can your tongue through confession or rejection change the course of your life.
Tongue Armageddon
Fight against the devil with words of life
Not against each other with words of death.
Submit to God and resist the devil
Tongue Wrangling.
Only God can give you power to control the tongue.
