Study of James

Lesson # 11

Controlling The Tongue

Introduction

            A true mark of Christian maturity is the proper control of one’s speech. As James discusses pure & undefiled religion a further discussion of controlling the tongue had to be mentioned. James introduced the subject earlier in chapter one where he counseled us to be “slow to speak” vs.19 & to “bridle our tongue” vs.26. Now he will discuss in length the importance of controlling the tongue.

James 3:1-12

1.  The Importance Of Controlling The Tongue – Vs.1,2

            a. James specifically speaks to teachers in the following verses, but there is

much for all of us to learn from the principles taught here.

            b. In the early church being a teacher was a position of dignity & respect

similar to the position of a Rabbi in the Jewish synagogue. Along with the

position came various rewards – status, honor, a following etc.

1) Perhaps some aspired to that position for the wrong motives &

intentions. They were unqualified or did not realize the awesome

responsibility that came with that position.

                        2) James wants to warn any & all of the power of the tongue

            c. The church needs teachers

                        1) The Spirit gifted some to be teachers – 1 Cor.12:28; Eph.4:11

                        2) Part of elders qualifications was to be able to teach – 1 Tim.3:2

                        3) All were expected to become teachers over time – Heb.5:12

                        4) James not discouraging us from being teachers but reminding us of the

seriousness of the position.

a) Lk.12:48 – whom given much – much required

b) 1 Tim.5:22 – don’t be hasty in ordaining leaders

c) Mt.12:36 – we will give an account for every careless word

                        5) Teachers need search their motives & desires for teaching

                                    a) What are you seeking?

                                    b) Do you comprehend the responsibility you are taking on –

                                                are you determined to control that member you will be

using; the tongue?

            d. Some teachers who failed

                        1) Acts 15:24 – those who tried to turn Christianity into Judaism

demanding that all be circumcised & adhere to the Law

                        2) Rom.2:17-19 – those who taught others but did not try to live according

to the truth themselves

                        3) 1 Tim.1:6,7 – those who tried to teach before they understood

themselves

                        4) 2 Tim.4:3 – those who pandered to the lusts of the crowd

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            e. We all stumble – make mistakes that are blameworthy

                        1) Present tense = repeated action – occurs over & over again

                        2) Rom.3:23 – all have sinned; 1Jn1:8 – say no sin deceive self

                        3) Rom.3:13-15 – 4 of the 5 body parts Paul lists as vehicles of sin relate

to our speech

                        4) Mt.12:34-37 – tongue reveals what is in the heart

            f. If control tongue a perfect man

                        1) One who has his body under control & has come to spiritual maturity

                        2) If can control most difficult member of body – easy control rest

                        3) James is not arguing for silence, but for an effective use of the tongue –

                                    Jesus is a supreme example – 1 Pet.2:21-23

2. The Need For Controlling The Tongue – vs.3-6

            a. Little things can have a far-reaching effect

                        1) The tongue has great potential – both for good & evil

                        2) Illustrations – bridle & bit ; a ships rudder; fire

                                    a) 1^st 2 are useful – small yet control things many times their size

                                    b) Last shows the destructive power of something insignificant

                        3) Bridle – controls an animated object – power from within

                        4) Rudder – controls an inanimate object – external power

            b. James argues that this great power ought be harnessed for good

                        1) If not – as a spark ignites a forest so tongue destroys

                        2) Two things about fire – wide ranging (no limit to destruction can bring)

                                    Is uncontrollable (can never get back what destroyed)

                  3) Just think about the great and terrible damage that has been done by the

                              fire of words, rumors, tale bearing, and sharp or cutting remarks.

                              Think about the...

                                    marriages destroyed

                                    children disturbed

                                    friendships damaged

                                    reputations ruined

                                    wars fought

                                    fights aroused

                                    injuries caused

                                    bodies maimed

                                    promotions denied

                             The list could go on an on, but the point is well made. The tongue

                             can be a little fire that sets ablaze and consumes a whole forest of

                             people and relationships.

            c. Several things about the tongue

                        1) A world of iniquity – a world composed of or characterized by iniquity

                                    a) A universe of evil that voices every evil feeling or thought

                                    b) Sets in motion or gives concreteness to every kind of sinful act

                                    c) Nothing evil is beyond its power of accomplishment

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                        2) Is set among our members as that which defiles the whole body

                                    a) Set – appointed or caused to be

                                    b) The tongue is so made that it can cause all kinds of sin

                        3) Able to defile the whole body – Mt.15:11 – what allow come out

                        4) Sets on fire the whole course of life – all relationships & aspects of

life are effected – pollute & dirty a persons whole life.

How is this possible? Just think for a moment how all the evil of

the world finds expression in our words...

words that lead to immorality

words that lead to wickedness

words that are malicious

       words that are envious

            words that express lust

words that curse and blaspheme

       words that show covetousness

            words that lead to idolatry

words that lead to murder

            words that express anger

            words that are divisive

                             Name the sin, and words are involved either through thoughts of

                                    the mind or verbally through the tongue.

                        5) Set on fire by hell – inflamed by Satan himself

3. The Difficulty Of Controlling The Tongue – vs.7,8

            a. Man able tame all kinds of creatures – our responsibility to subdue the earth

                        1) Are being & have been – throughout time been this way

                        2) Art of taming is as old as man & has gone on since beginning of time

b. The tongue can no man tame

1) It is a restless evil – unstable; like a caged animal pacing back & forth

2) No matter how hard you try – still be times we say wrong thing

3) It is full of deadly poison – how deadly is gossip & slander - it can

bless God in one breath and curse men in the next, men who are

made in the image of God.

            c. Taming the tongue

                        1) Dedicate both your heart & your tongue to the Lord – Ps.19:14

                        2) Put your heart in tune with God’s Spirit – Ps.119:11

                        3) Assume responsibility for every word you speak – Mt.12:36

                        4) Ask those around you what do I say that is offensive – Prov.27:17

                        5) Commit yourself to speaking wholesome things – Eph.4:29

                        6) When necessary to confront another follow Mt.18:15 – Gal.6:1,2

                        7) Fulfill past promises & be careful before making new ones – Ps.15:4

                        8) Ask forgiveness for any unloving words or attitudes – 1 Jn.1:9

                        9) Learn to speak words that encourage, comfort, inspire & edify – Col.4:6

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d. Passages to memorize that will help us tame our tongues

                        1) Prov.13:3 - He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks

rashly will come to ruin. (NIV)

                        2) Prov.29:20 - Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more

hope for a fool than for him. (NIV)

                        3) Prov.18:13 - He who answers before listening-- that is his folly and his

shame. (NIV)

                        4) Mt.12:36 - But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day

of judgment for every careless word they have

spoken. (NIV)

                        5) Eph.4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to

their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

                        6) Prov.15:23 - A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a

timely word! (NIV)

                        7) Prov.21:23 - He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself

from calamity. (NIV)

                        8) Prov.15:1,4 – Vs.1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word

stirs up anger. (NIV)

Vs.4 The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a

deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. (NIV)

                        9) Prov.17:28 - Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and

discerning if he holds his tongue. (NIV)

                        10) Prov.18:8 - The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go

down to a man's inmost parts. (NIV)

                        11) 1 Pet.3:10-12 - For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must

keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful

speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek

peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the

righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the

face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (NIV)

                        12) James 1:26 - If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not

keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his

religion is worthless. (NIV)

4. The Inconsistency Of An Uncontrolled Tongue Vs.9-12

            a. Here we are blessing God & professing to be His children, yet cursing men who

are made in His likeness – even nature is more consistent than this.

1) On one hand we praise & extol God

2) On the other we invoke evil & damnation on those who bear His

likeness – in a sense we are harming God too.

            b. Out of the same mouth comes blessing & cursing – ought not be

                        1) Don’t get sweet & bitter water from same fountain

                        2) Don’t expect different fruit from the same kind of tree

                        3) Spring not yield sweet & salt water