ADULT LANGUAGE
James 3:1-12
{1} Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. {2} For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what
he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. {3} Now if we put the bits
into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
(4} Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still
directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. {5} So also the
tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a
forest is set aflame by such a small fire! {6} And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets
on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. {7} For every species of beasts and
birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race.
{8} But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. {9} With it
we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness
of God; {10} from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these
things ought not to be this way. {11} Does a fountain send out from the same opening both
fresh and bitter water? {12} Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce
figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh.
INTRODUCTION:
Today a review of a movie might well say it contains adult language. This designation warns one of the use of profanity. The language is not so much adult as it is gutter language.
Adult Language Includes Words Like, Character! Integrity! Commitment! Forgiveness! Sacrifice! Determination! Moral Values! Sexual Purity! and Love. The text today speaks to us concerning the use of the tongue in an Adult manner..
1. Adult Language and the . . Professor’s Tongue.
2. Adult Language and the . . Populace’s Tongue.
3. Adult Language and the . . Problem Tongue.
1. Adult Language and the . . Professor’s Tongue. v 1
1} Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a
stricter judgment.
EXPLANATION
A. The . . Prohibition to the Professor. v 1 a
1. Therefore determine to . . Teach the truth.
2. Therefore determine to . . Live the truth.
B. The . . Promise to the Professor. v 1 b
1. You will be judge, you will receive a stricter judgement.
a. Note Luke 17:1-2
And He said to His disciples, "It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come! {2} "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.
ILLUSTRATION
When I studied at Southern Illinois University In Edwardsville Illinois I had a unique experience in the cafeteria. A person sat down at my table and we began to talk. He asked what my major was. I said "I am a speech major." He then asked if I planned to teach and I responded "no I am a minister and plan to go from here to seminary." I related that the church I pastored had a parsonage in which I lived and they allowed me to attend college.
This young man asked "can I get a job like that?" I hid my laughter and then said "well maybe; are you saved?" He then asked "saved from what?" At that point I knew he was to eager to enter the ministry. I further related to him concerning salvation but he was not interested.
APPLICATION
Do you know the average Baptist pastor preaches at least 100 times a year? He is expected to have something fresh on Sunday Morning, Sunday Night and on many Wednesday nights. Those sermons equal a chapter each so he will produce 10 books of 10 chapters each. Occasionally there will be a bad chapter and maybe even a book that is not outstanding.
You should not rush into the ministry of preaching or teaching but enter only after being sure of the Lord’s call.
2. Adult Language and the general . . Populace Tongue. v 2
{2} For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a
perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
EXPLANATION
A. The . . Admission for the General Population. v 2 a
1. We all stumble.
a. The tongue is not our only problem. ". . . in many ways . . . "
Humor:
A derelict was to testify in court he was ask if he promised to tell the truth. He responded " I’ll try anything once."
B. The . . Admonition for the General Population. v 2 b
Humor:
A man heard some one say "Your wife is "Outspoken!" The Husband replied "by whom?"
A man was known for his loose tongue someone summed up his speech by saying "He has too much conversation after the end of his ideas."
ILLUSTRATION
Beneath this Stone, A Lump of Clay,
Lies Arabella Young.
Who, On the Twenty-fourth of May,
Began to Hold Her Tongue p 64 Gregory
APPLICATION
All of have misused our tongue at one time or another. As Christians we must seek to allow the Holy Spirit to control our tongue..
3. Adult Language and the . . Problem Tongue. v 3-12
A. The Problem of the tongue’s . . Domination. v 3-5
(3) Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their
entire body as well. {4} Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by
strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot
desires. {5} So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
1. Domination disregarding . . Eminence. v 5 a
2. Domination decrying . . Exaggeration. v 5 b
Humor:
Children watching the boss eat at their home. Were surprised you use a knife and
fork. Dad said you eat like a horse.
Tooth Paste taste like shoe polish for those who are always putting their foot in their mouth.
DOMINATION Illustrated: v 3-5
1. A bit in a horse’s mouth. 2. A ship’s rudder. 3. A small fire
Chicago fire, Oct. 8, 1871, 100,00 people left homeless, 17,500 buildings destroyed, 300 people died, cost over 400,000,000. Reportedly started in O’leary’s barn as a lantern was kicked over. A very large fire from a very small source.
B. The Problem of the tongue’s . . Defiling. v 6
{6} And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members
as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
1. Defiles the . . Body. v 6 a
2. Defiles the . . Behavior. v 6 b
a. Set on fire by Hell.
b. Acts 2:1-5 Fire from Heaven.
C. The garbage dump.
ILLUSTRATIONS
Hitler’s Mein Kampf 125 lives lost for every word. They say Hitler was a very gifted speaker.
John Hagge told of having vicious rumors because the church used a wood refinsher named Bair. The company’s name was "Bair Stripping" some gossip got loose on that.
C. The Problem of the tongue’s . . Domestication. v 7-8
{7} For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has
been tamed by the human race. {8} But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
1. The . . Refusal of the tongue to be domesticated. v 7-8 a
2. The . . Reason the tongue is not domesticated. v 8 b
D. The Problem of the tongue’s . . Depravity. v 9
{9} With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in
the likeness of God;
1. The depravity of . . Obscenity toward man. v 9 a
2. The depravity of . . Objections toward God. v 9 b
E. The Problem of the tongue’s . . Discrepancy. v 10-12
{10} from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought
not to be this way. (11} Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and
bitter water? {12} Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs?
Neither can salt water produce fresh.
1. The . . Source of discrepancy. v 10 a
2. The . . Statute of discrepancy
ILLUSTRATION
Simon Peter Cursed to make himself known as one who did not follow Jesus.
Football coach Cursed all through his half time challenge and then said let’s pray.
APPLICATION
12 WORDS: Please, Thank you, I’m sorry, I love you, I’m praying for you.
Welch Revival Early 1900s: Mules had to be retrained because the miners got saved and stopped cursing.
All of us need to regularly plead the words of Psalms 19:14 (NASB)
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable
in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.
