Carefully steering the tongue
James 3:17-18
[17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
James broken into C’s
James 1 is Confidence – What a Christian has (maturity, the word, good influence)
James 2 is Compassion – What a Christian does
James 3 is Careful – What a Christian says
James 4 is Contrite – What a Christian feels
James 5 is Concerned – What a Christian gives
James 3
[1] Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. [2] For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. [3] If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. [4] Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. [5] So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! [6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. [7] For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, [8] but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. [9] With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. [10] From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. [11] Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? [12] Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. [15] This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. [17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The Tongue
- Powerful
- Perverse
- Polluted
James 3:5
[5] So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! – Powerful
James 3:6
[6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. – Perverse
James 3:9-10
[9] With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. [10] From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. – Polluted
If motivated from our own flesh or Satan can be full of:
Bitterness
Selfish ambition/Envy/Jealousy
Lying
Ungodly ideas
Confusion
Evil/Vile practices
Matthew 15:10-20
[10] And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: [11] it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” [12] Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” [13] He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. [14] Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” [15] But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” [16] And he said, “Are you also still without understanding? [17] Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? [18] But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. [19] For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. [20] These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
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Jesus tells us it is what is on the inside (the heart) that counts and that eventually it shows. It comes out in the forms of speech or even our actions.
So what we actually say….. and what we shouldn’t say…. are in view here in James.
- We can either speak wise words to people
- Or……We can speak wrong (unwise) words that do not honor God.
To make sure we get the point James compares the tongue to:
A bit and a horse
A rudder and a ship
A spark in the forest
All three are tiny compared to what is given as an example, but you see the truth here in what can happen. A little bit can turn a huge horse, a small rudder can turn a big ship and a little tiny spark can burn down the whole forest.
Notice how these examples don’t just affect the person, but others. Especially the ship and forest. Notice how just saying something can affect many, again…sin doesn’t just impact you (that’s Satan’s lie) it always affects others.
Does fire bring to mind anything else in the Bible? Suffering, Hell? Ever been burnt? It’s different isn’t it? Mostly worse than even a deep cut. Fire in the Bible often means punishment and judgment.
Does anyone actually want to be around anyone who is like this? Who talks like this? Bitter, jealous self centered????
So, if James here in verse 2 is saying we will stumble unless we are perfect, then how in the world can we bridle the tongue, let alone our whole body?
Here is our how..
James 3:17-18
[17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
So instead of listening to our flesh, our inner voice, our emotions, our desires.
“I just tell it like it is”
“I just have to speak my mind”
“That’s just the way I am”
We have to let the Holy Spirit reign in our lives. Listen to the Holy Spirit, He guides us.
And…..“The key to right speaking is right thinking” (wisdom)
John 16:13
[13] When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
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Wisdom
What does wisdom look like?
Proverbs 1:1-7
[1] The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
[2] To know wisdom and instruction,
to understand words of insight,
[3] to receive instruction in wise dealing,
in righteousness, justice, and equity;
[4] to give prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the youth—
[5] Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
and the one who understands obtain guidance,
[6] to understand a proverb and a saying,
the words of the wise and their riddles.
[7] The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge;
fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Wisdom here in James is:
- Humble
- Gracious
- Peaceable
James 3:13
[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. – Wisdom is humble
James 3:14
[14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. – Wisdom is gracious
James 3:17-18
[17] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. [18] And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. – Wisdom is peaceable
If our tongue is motivated by God and the wisdom shown here to will look/sound like this:
Humble
Gracious
Pure
Peaceful
Gentle
Reasonable
Impartial
Sincere
Righteous
James 1:19
[19] Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;
Can I say this again this week? I’m paraphrasing but Patrick Schriner said this “Am I just trying to be a Christian and thinking it’s (be saved) and then feel bad for the sins I keep doing?
You all realize that’s an awful way to live but many of us do. Sin separates us from God, it doesn’t help us, though that’s the temptation of it. We “think” doing whatever the sin is, will make us happier or more fulfilled, but actually it’s just separation and death.
John 10:9-10
[9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
If we obey Jesus and live wisely we talk less and listen more.
When we do speak we will speak life. Not death.
We will find pasture or rest for our souls and even draw others or encourage others to do the same…
