James 3
Taming the Tongue - Now James devotes a whole chapter to the third way by which faith can be recognized: a controlled tongue.
3 Not many of you should become teachers (masters), my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Life Application Bible says - Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teachers’ responsibility is great because their words and example affect others’ spiritual lives.
Jesus warned
Luke 12:48 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
Matthew 12:37 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Now, you can teach any other subject, doesn't matter if you are teaching something that will latter on be proved to be wrong, but if you are teaching the Word of God the consequences of the false teaching are so vast that as the teacher you will be held responsible. That is why I seek to be so careful in teaching the Word of God to keep, as much as possible, my own opinion out of it and speculation out of it completely.
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
To not stumble in word shows true spiritual maturity. This is especially relevant to teachers, who have so much more opportunity to sin with their tongue.
What you say and what you ‘don’t’ say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t!
Typical examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying.
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.
Psalm 32:9
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
You don’t solve the problem of an unruly horse by keeping in the barn, or the problem of a hard to steer ship by keeping it tied to the dock. In the same way, even a vow of silence is not the ultimate answer for the misuse of our tongue.
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.
Psalm 12:3, 4
3May the Lord silence all flattering lips
and every boastful tongue—
and every boastful tongue—
4 those who say,
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
“By our tongues we will prevail;
our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”
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.
Children are told sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me. But that child’s rhyme isn’t really true. The bitter pain of a word spoken against us can hurt us for a lifetime, long after a broken bone has healed.
What others say to us and what we say to others can last a long time, for good or for evil. The casual sarcastic or critical remark can inflict a lasting injury on another person. The well-timed encouragement or compliment can inspire someone for the rest of their life.
Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, “I was only joking!” (Proverbs 26:18-19)
In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. (Proverbs 10:19-21)
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. (Proverbs 16:24)
Proverbs 16:27 27 A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Proverbs 18:21)
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.
Yet it can be brought under the power and the control of the Holy Spirit.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Psalm 140:3 3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
the poison of vipers is on their lips.
the poison of vipers is on their lips.
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. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Jesus taught in Matthew 12:34-37 that a man’s words are a reliable revelation of his inner character. What we say can indicate what we are.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
I know I've said many things that I wish I had not of said; said in a moment of anger. How I wished I could have taken them back. And there are a lot of things that I wish I had said that I didn't - a word of encouragement, a word of forgiveness, a word of comfort. You know we sometimes just don't want to give that person that consolation of saying, "Well that's all right, I understand." If I only had said it though, I could have saved them so much mental anguish and turmoil. I could have let them know that it really didn't matter.
Two Kinds of Wisdom (Wisdom shows us how to do good works)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
True wisdom is also evident by its meek manner. Those who do their good works in a way designed to bring attention to themselves show they lack true wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Their “wisdom” is more characteristic of the world, the flesh, and the devil than of God.
The fruit of this “wisdom” is plain: confusion and every evil thing. The wisdom of the world, the flesh, and the devil may be able to accomplish things, but always with the ultimate fruit of confusion and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Proverbs 11:18 18 A wicked person earns deceptive wages, but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward.
Table Talk
1. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. Are there words Satan has used you to say that have caused scars on someone else? Share, if you can, and pray for forgiveness and restoration.
2. Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise but acted foolishly?
3. Now, what marks your life? What kind of wisdom comes forth from you?
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