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Introduction
Tonight, we will do a review of James 3:1-12.
These verses are the first paragraph of this chapter.
I want to begin by reminding that I give chapter 3 this title.
It is “Living Out Our Faith Skillfully.”
And, as we have already noted in our study, this first paragraph deals with the tongue.
If we are going to live our our faith skillfully, we must understand the power of the tongue.
It is one of the most used muscles in our bodies.
So, let’s take a moment and do a review of what we have learned.
Then, after that, we are going to use the outline of 2 Timothy 3:16-17 as our model for further review of this chapter.
Here is what we learned from each verse or verses we studied.
PARAGRAPH RECAP
We started with:
VERSE 1
In this verse, we learned about the responsibility that comes with teaching others.
The Holy Spirit us to be careful about seeking such a position.
The word “master” literally means teacher.
We also noted that those who teach will one day give an account to God for how and what they taught to others.
They will be the ones who will receive “the greater condemnation.”
PRINCIPLE: Teaching others is a serious responsibility resulting in Divine accountability.
VERSE 2
From this verse, we learned the universality of sin.
There is not one person sitting here tonight or listening on our live stream that is not a sinner.
The fact is we not only sin, but we sin in many different ways.
Additionally, for a person to say that they do not sin, especially in words, is ridiculous.
Only a perfect (completely mature) person can make that claim.
And, if they were perfect, they would be able to control every part of their body.
PRINCIPLE: We are all sinners and must admit we have no control over the flesh.
VERSES 3 & 4
The Holy Spirit follows verse 2 by giving us some practical illustrations.
We have the horses’ bit and a ship’s helm or rudder.
Both are very small devices.
A horses bit is around 6 - 8 inches.
Yet, that small bit controls an 1800 pound animal.
By the same token, the rudder of a ship is very small compared the overall size of the vessel.
That small rudder, under the control of the helmsman, controls the movement of the ship even under adverse circumstances such as fierce winds.
PRINCIPLE: Small things possess great power.
VERSES 5 & 6
The Holy Spirit takes those illustrations and applies them to our tongue.
Just like the bit and the rudder, our tongues are small.
Small things have great power.
The tongue is very powerful.
It is small.
It is pride’s most valuable tool.
An uncontrolled tongue is quite destructive.
PRINCIPLE: Our sinful tongue is small, full of itself, and tends to seed nothing but destruction.
VERSES 7 & 8
There are lot of things man has tamed - beasts, birds, creeping things (serpents), sea creatures.
It is easier to tame things nature than it is our tongue.
No person is able to tame or control their tongue.
The tongue controlled by the flesh is unruly (totally out of control), evil (full of wickedness and sin), and filled with deadly poison (ready to cause destruction).
PRINCIPLE: We are completely incapable of controlling our sinful, fleshly tongue.
VERSES 9 & 10
In these verses, we find that the tongue is a paradox.
With it, we bless God, and, in the same minute, we curse men who made in God’s likeness.
It spews both blessing and cursing.
It is also a parrot.
The word “proceedeth” as the idea of repeatedly doing the same thing over and over again.
Thus, our tongue continually parrots blessing and cursing.
Thus, for the reasons listed in verse 7-10, we must prohibit the tongue.
The Holy Spirit clearly states that we need to stop using our tongues in the wrong way.
PRINCIPLE: Believers must stop using their tongues in a sinful manner.
VERSES 11 & 12
Again, the Holy Spirit uses some practical illustrations.
Three things are used in His illustration.
He uses a spring of water, a fig tree, and a grapevine.
In using these illustrations, He points out our main issue.
Our issues is our heart.
Remember the illustration is about how like kind reproduces like kind.
A fountain cannot produce two kinds of water at the same time.
It either gives you sweet water or bitter.
Fig trees only bear figs, not olives.
Grapevines only bear grapes, not figs.
Thus, the lesson is this.
If you have a carnal minded heart, your mouth will spew forth carnality.
However, if you have a spiritually minded heart, your mouth will spew forth spiritual things.
PRINCIPLE: Your heart determines what comes out of your mouth.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 APPLICATION
Okay, let’s take a moment and reflect on how what we have learned aligns with 2 Timothy 3:16-17 which says:
Now, remember that:
Doctrine - What is Right!
Reproof - What is NOT Right!
Correction - How to GET Right!
Instruction in Righteousness - How to STAY Right!
Let’s start with we have learned that is RIGHT!
WHAT IS RIGHT!
First,
It is right that teaching carries great responsibility and accountability.
This corresponds with the fact that all of us, regardless of teaching or not, are responsible for every thing we do.
And, all of us, as believes, will indeed one day stand before the Lord to account for our stewardship which includes the use of our tongue.
Here are few Scripture passages that speak to this principle.
Thus, we must understand the seriousness of what we do each day in our bodies.
It matters not if it is our thoughts, words, or deeds, all of it will be accounted before the Lord.
For that reason, we must yield to His control in our lives.
Second,
It is right that our tongues are small, powerful, and sinful.
From our text, it is quite clear what are tongues are capable of doing.
Yes, it is small.
However, this small member of ours can set the world on fire around us.
If want an example, just think about the last argument you had with someone.
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