The Power of the Tongue
The Epistle of James: A Call to Spiritual Maturity • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
The Tongue has 3 Outstanding Capabilities
The Tongue has 3 Outstanding Capabilities
3 Outstanding Capabilities of the Tongue
Power to Direct
It has power to direct
It has power to destroy
It has power to delight
The Power to Direct
The Power to Direct
The tongue has the power to direct.
Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
James 3.3-
The Power to Destroy
The Power to Destroy
The tongue has the power to destroy.
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
James 3.5-6
The Power to Delight
The Power to Delight
The tongue has the power to delight.
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
James 3.9
Notes:
James used negative illustrations, but these capabilities are necessarily evil
in reality, the tongue has no power by itself. It depends on the power behind it.
the ship’s rudder depends on the pilot
the horse’s bit depends on the horse rider
the fire depends on the wind
the tongue depends on the person using it.
Spiritual Maturity is Expressed in how our Tongue Works
Spiritual Maturity is Expressed in how our Tongue Works
The mature Christian has power over his tongue.
He does not stumble in what he says.
He does not stumble in what he says.
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
James 3.
he does not commit sin by in his speech
If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.
I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence.”
He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles.
He uses the tongue for good.
He uses the tongue for good.
Note: the bit, the rudder and the fire are useful instruments.
His tongue delivers wisdom.
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly.
Proverb s 15.
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.
His tongue is gracious.
Titus 2.7-8
in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
His tongue is gracious.
Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
His tongue destroys only that which is wicked and evil.
in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified,
sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.
Conclusion
Conclusion
1. Tame your tongue.
tame means to subdue, put under control.
you can control the tongue by controlling the power behind it.
He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.
Proverbs 1
It is not good to eat much honey, Nor is it glory to search out one’s own glory.
Like a city that is broken into and without walls Is a man who has no control over his spirit.
2. Train your tongue.
you train your tongue by meditating on the right words.
Deuteronomy
“Now therefore, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the sons of Israel; put it on their lips, so that this song may be a witness for Me against the sons of Israel.
Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes.
Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
3. Season your tongue.
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians