James 3:1-12 ESV
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2For 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. 3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4Look 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. 5So 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! 6And 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. 7For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
We needed to teach our children the importance & permanence of our words.
Impossible! Once the words are out, you can’t pull them back.
“Do it God’s way; watch what you say.”
Whose Words?
Everything Changes at Mount Sinai where God Speaks
Deuteronomy 4:12 ESV
12Then the Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice.
What matters is not Thunder, Lightning, Smoke, Fire & Fear
A Verbal Revelation of God’s Mind and Will
It is the Words that Matter for God has Spoken
If GOD has spoken then…
1. There is a firm basis to our Life & Ministry
We have an authority for our preaching & teaching. We’re not making this up as we go along!
And, because we have heard, we cannot feign ignorance—we are accountable for what we hear.
2. We know only by His Mercy. There is no pride in knowing. If we are to know Him, He must speak – and He has! God lets His people hear.
Therefore—Intellectual Pride is the Enemy of any True Knowledge of God, any Real Theological Education.
We know by Grace & Mercy.
3. We too must speak. We Preach & Teach & Speak, because God has spoken. We Dare Not Remain Silent. We are to be the Speaking People of the Speaking God. Marked not by our silence but by our speech.
Characteristics of the Mature Christian
James 1: Patient in trouble
James 2: Practices the truth
James 3: Control of his tongue / words
James 3:1 ESV
1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
Jeremiah 14:14 ESV
14And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds.”
James 3:2 ESV
2For 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.
James 1:19-20 NIV
19My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
James 1:26 ESV
26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
James 3:3 ESV
3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
James 3:4 ESV
4Look 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.
James 3:5a ESV
5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
A Judge speaks a few words; someone is declared guilty and headed for prison.
Someone shares a few words of Gossip; A reputation is tarnished or ruined.
A cynical professor makes some snide comments in class; and a student’s faith is destroyed.
For every word in Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf”; 125 people died.
Robert Downs – “Books that Changed the World”
Reckless Driving → operating a vehicle in a manner likely to endanger yourself and others
Proverbs 12:18 NIV
18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Reckless: Irresponsible, Wild, Rash, Hasty, Careless, Uncontrolled or Out of Control, Thoughtless – No Concern for Danger, Damage, or Consequences
Proverbs 12:18 NIV
18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
No one will ever love you!
You’re a failure and you’ll never amount to anything!
You are lazy and worthless and I can’t stand to be with you!
I wish you’d never been born!
Sword ⇒ Body
Words ⇒ Soul
Keller Comments
Proverbs 12:18 NIV
18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 25:11 ESV
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Proverbs 16:24 NET
24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 17:27 NIV
27The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 18:21 AMP
21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.
“Glorious Day” – Kristian Stanfill
“Do It Again” – Elevation Worship
“Revelation Song” – Kari Jobe
“Nothing Else” – Cody Carnes
