Man's Deadliest Weapon
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Man’s Deadliest Weapon
Man’s Deadliest Weapon
Man’s Deadliest Weapon
Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
I. Introduction
A. The Book of James … The Book of Action
1. Faith is not something intangible that does nothing
2. Faith without works is dead
3. Faith in Jesus Christ links with God and changes every part of life
B. Faith in Jesus Christ must also have its Influence over the Tongue
1. This little member of the body is given an entire Bible chapter
2. Dynamite comes in small packages
3. Jesus said – “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
4. Punches and kicks heal but the tongue can hurt in ways that may never heal
5. You can never unsay a word, once it is let loose it destructive power continues and on
6. Don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all…
II. Body
A. The Tongue’s Tremendous Power in Relation to its Size (vv. 1–5)
1. St. Paul uses two images: Bits in horse’s mouths … rudders of ships
2. The tongue has the power to change the course of your life
a. “I do” in marriage
b. “Guilty” in court
c. Doctor says – “it’s a boy or it’s a girl”
3. The power of the tongue has changed the course of nations
a. Patrick Henry’s cry
b. Hitler’s rhetoric
c. Martin Luther King speeches
4. The tongue can be like a fire … destructive:
“The tongue can speak a word whose speed,
Outstrips the very fastest steed”
5. The tongue can be like honey…uplifting – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones Proverbs” 16:24
B. If a tongue is not tamed by the Power of God it is destructive (vv. 6–8)
1. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity”
2. The tongue can defile the whole body (v. 6)
3. Because of the tongue:
a. Families torn apart by uncontrolled tongues
b. Words spoken in anger between husbands and wives
c. Harsh words spoken by Christians to one another
d. Board meetings … parish meetings … groups
4. Full of deadly poison – “their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips.”
a. Critical tongues have closed church doors
b. Never allow a negative or critical word to pass your lips
C. A God-Controlled Tongue (v. 9)
“Out of the overflow of the heart doth the mouth speak”
“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father” (v.9)
1. “Therewith bless we God”
2. : “Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus”
3. The tongues highest purpose is to express love:
a. Sharing the gospel
b. Soothing the sick
c. Teaching a class
d. Training our children in the way of the Lord
f. Speaking words to bring peace between enemies
g. Telling friends and associates of God’s love for them
4. Psalms and hymns and spiritual songs ()
III. Conclusion
A. How God Changed the Tongues of Men
1. Moses, stuttering then speaking to Pharoah
2. Peter, cursing then preaching on Pentecost
3. Paul, consenting to Stephen’s death then Telling the Good News
B. The tongue is like an alarm clock pointing to the condition of your heart
If your tongue constantly spews words of:
· Anger
· Hatred
· Judgement
· Cursing
· Lord’s name in vain
Then you must ask yourself, what is wrong with my heart…
Christ is the means by which the heart is converted and the tongue speaks peace
We must first have peace in our hearts and only then will we find joy spring from our tongues
C. See How Many are Helped.
“Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop,
But a good word maketh it glad” ()