James 3:1-12 NLT
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5a In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. 5b But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
John Wesley Quote page 221 (2)
“Let no more of you take this upon than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much.”
I. A tongue Controlled
2b: “For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”
The word perfect here is the word “teleios” in the greek… Which means those who fully attain to their high calling…
If you can control your tongue you can control all you conduct… Being what God created you to be… Perfect
Matthew 12:34-37 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Jesus told us in Matthew to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect Matthew 5:48.
(Perfect in heart intention/attitude, may not always be perfect in execution)
Be perfect in what God has created you to be…
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
II. A tongue is powerful 3-5a
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5a In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
III. A tongue can cause devastation 5b-6
“5b But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself."
The tongue which is small can cause a huge tragedy just as a spark can cause a huge fire.
Proverbs 18:21 NLT
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Matthew 15:10-11 NLT
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
IV. A tongue can not be tamed by man 7-8
“7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”
Psalm 141:3 NLT
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
V. A tongue of trouble and of praise 9-12
“9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”
James knows there is a solution to this contradiction and unnatural condition. The answer is found in verses 17-18…
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Matthew 12:34-37 NLT
34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Here are some things to think about before you speak:
Is it true
Does it need to be said
Is it kind
Does it benefit the Kingdom of God
If we keep these four things in mind it will help keep our tongues in control
Something to remember:
Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Proverbs 15:1-4 NLT
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. 4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5a In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. 5b But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
John Wesley Quote page 221 (2)
“Let no more of you take this upon than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much.”
I. A tongue Controlled
2b: “For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.”
The word perfect here is the word “teleios” in the greek… Which means those who fully attain to their high calling…
If you can control your tongue you can control all you conduct… Being what God created you to be… Perfect
Matthew 12:34-37 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Jesus told us in Matthew to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect Matthew 5:48.
(Perfect in heart intention/attitude, may not always be perfect in execution)
Be perfect in what God has created you to be…
Psalm 19:14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
II. A tongue is powerful 3-5a
3 We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. 5a In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
III. A tongue can cause devastation 5b-6
“5b But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself."
The tongue which is small can cause a huge tragedy just as a spark can cause a huge fire.
Proverbs 18:21 NLT
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Matthew 15:10-11 NLT
10 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. “Listen,” he said, “and try to understand. 11 It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come out of your mouth.”
IV. A tongue can not be tamed by man 7-8
“7 People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.”
Psalm 141:3 NLT
Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
V. A tongue of trouble and of praise 9-12
“9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.”
James knows there is a solution to this contradiction and unnatural condition. The answer is found in verses 17-18…
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Matthew 12:34-37 NLT
34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”
Here are some things to think about before you speak:
Is it true
Does it need to be said
Is it kind
Does it benefit the Kingdom of God
If we keep these four things in mind it will help keep our tongues in control
Something to remember:
Proverbs 12:18 NLT
Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Proverbs 15:1-4 NLT
A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. 4 Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.