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TONGUE AMOK. James 3:5-12. 9/29/2024. #12.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or some grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
1. The destructive tongue
a. James had used the illustration that the tongue is small, but powerful
a1. Like a small bit in the horse’s mouth or a small rudder determining the ship’s course
a2. The tongue projects feelings, beliefs, attitudes, desires, worship, blasphemy, lies, truth, comfort, cruelty, and other things
b. The tongue is only a tool directed by what is inside the person using the tongue (control only own talk)
c. James speaks of a misused tongue destroying those who are the object of its venom
d. 1st illustration is fire
a1. Controlled fire can provide power to heat meals, homes, or people, while also producing steam to drive mighty engines
a2. Uncontrolled fire can destroy forests, homes, businesses, and lives
a3. Wildfires started by a campfire or just a discarded cigarette can take thousands of acres
e. An uncontrolled tongue can destroy lives, start wars, and ruin ministries (great accountability)
f. 2nd illustration is poison
a1. The venom from the taipan can kill within minutes, even though a few drops are injected into a person
a2. The hurt caused by careless or hateful words can destroy lives and relationships
2. The uncontrolled tongue
a. James states that the natural tongue is untamed
a1. Due to our fallen nature our speech is contaminated by sin and is naturally evil
a2. We learn from others the art of ridicule, anger, lying, manipulation, deceit, and gossip
b. Like animals, we can learn to tame the tongue
a1. As a dog, parrot, or chimp can be trained, so can we control our speech
a2. Just as the natural tongue can harm, the controlled tongue can heal
c. Just as removing a talebearer ends strife (Proverbs 26:20-21), so a restrained tongue can bring understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 17:27)
d. It is the words of the wise that bring life (Proverbs 18:4; 10:11; 10:21; 12:18; 13:14)
e. John 6:63-69 Jesus’s words give life and those who follow his words lead others to the Light (our goal)
3. The forked tongue
a. James then speaks of the greatest deception: those who bless and curse with the same tongue
b. Jam. 1:8 a double-minded man produces contradictory speech
a1. To praise God and curse man who is made in God’s image makes us hypocrites
a2. A spring can’t bring forth fresh and brackish water at the same time and a fig tree can’t bear olives or a grapevine bear a fig
c. What is the source (root) of speech determines what manner of person you are
d. Only a life completely dedicated to the Lord will be rid of corrupt thoughts that produce vile talk
e. Matthew 12:34 what is in the heart reaches the tongue
f. We must learn how to measure our words (testimony)
Key passage: John 6:63-69 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”