The Troublesome Tongue. Are you aware of it?

Book of James
March 19, 2017
Key Text: James 3:1-12

News nowadays really do spread fast, as a Filipino saying goes “May pakpak ang mga
balita”. But because of our advance technology, it as if one can already say “May Fiber
Optic na ang balita”.
Social Media is so amazing, they simply put a topic on the net that people can talk
about, then the more comments on the topic, the more interesting it becomes. But in
reality, it is not the topic which is interesting but the “Comments Section”. It is where the
action happens! One can either read here how funny, brilliant or foolish one is. In
reading one’s comment as if the reader is already listening on what the commentator is
saying.
The most talked topic here in the Philippines is “Death Penalty”. When a Filipino sees
as an article of the said topic, he/she is just can’t stop him/herself to say his/her
opinions on the matter (The Duterte Administration really has its popularity).
There is nothing wrong with us (Christians) barging in with this matters. The only
problem is how we deliver the comment we have on the matter. Have you asked
yourself, “In my commenting or sharing news, post, etc. does my Christian life reflects?”
If yes the Good Job but if not time for you to be aware of it. (Title of the message)

The writer of James:

There are many men named “James” in the bible, but this epistle was associated with
James, brother of Jesus. The theme of James writing was not of too much doctrine but
more of application (James 1:22).
On one chapters of his epistle, James lend it solely on the “Tongue”. This chapter is
widely used by preachers to make us aware of how powerful our tongues are. James
used many metaphors to describe the tongue.
The chapter is very straightforward but yet puzzling. I hope and pray that as we listen,
may God speak, enlighten and bring forth change in our lives with this message.
1.) Incriminating to one’s self

James 3:1-2
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall
receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone
does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the
whole body.

Let us break down these 2 verses:

On Verse 1, James is giving a warning to those who desires or already
teaching/preaching the word.
On Verse 2, He now is telling us that our tongue causes us to stumble.
Question: Does James tell us to be silent/quiet? The answer is NO!

Ptr. Santi once said: “Not all Christians were called to be Preachers but all
Christians were called to be a soul winner”
James on these first 2 verses is clearly tells us to be mindful of what we
say, for we are and will be held ACCOUNTABLE of what we say, will say
and had said. Even Jesus gave us a warning about our speech.

Matthew 12:36-37
But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give
account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be
justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

We Christians should already be knowing that the people around us will

always pay attention to what we say, either they are to listen or to use it
against us. If we are professing we are a Christian, then it must reflect in
our Speech. James in his writings labeled Christians who do not mind of
what they say.

James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his
tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

There are also times where in Christians stumble in the vows they make.
Whether it is for the Lord or not. The OT gives us verses that gives us the
accountability regarding such vows.

Deuteronomy 23:21-22
“When you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay to pay it;
for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to
you. But if you abstain from vowing, it shall not be sin to you.
 Ecclesiastes 5:5
Better not to vow than to vow and not pay.

Also in regards to such vows, a Christian should not be rash on making

vows to God. The story of Jephthah one of the Judges, who made a rash
vow to the Lord will be one of the most tragic stories in the bible.

Judges 11:30-31
And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed
deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, then it will be that whatever
comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in
peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I
will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

As he went home, His very daughter welcomed him. When he saw her, he
was already in tears. The good thing is that he did his vow but on the
expense of his daughter. (Supporting Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5)

As teachers or one who shares the Gospel, we are to be very careful for
we are accountable to God of what we say, will say or had said. As the
most famous line goes “Practice what we preach” and “Walk the Talk”.

2.) Influencing

James 3:3-5a
Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we
turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and
are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder
wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and
boasts great things.

Earlier on chapter 3, James was telling us about responsible speaking. On

this very verse, a Christian should already know why does James tells us
to do so. One can be Influential in a good way or a bad way. Ears do listen
as a Christian speaks. When Peter on his first preaching spoke, People
were cut to their hearts!

Acts 2:37
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter
and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

But sadly as it may, there were also biblical characters who influenced the
people in the wrong way (Supporting Scripture: Titus 1:6).
The 10 Spies who went to spy on the promise land. Upon returning, they
gave a bad report that cause the whole assembly of Israel to murmur
against God.

Numbers 13:31
But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up
against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Levites who influenced the Israelites to

question Moses’ leadership. On the day of their rebellion, they took with
them 250 leaders of Israel!

Numbers 16:3
They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, “You
take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one
of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves
above the assembly of the Lord?”

Both of these people were not able to enter the promise land. This is the
punishment they received for leading the people to rebel and murmur
against God (Supporting Scriptures: Proverbs 6:16-19).

The tongue is so influential that if a Profess Christian uses it to turn others

away from God, he/she will have a terrible punishment.

2 Pe 2:12&17
But these, like natural brute beasts made to be caught and destroyed,
speak evil of the things they do not understand, and will utterly perish in
their own corruption,
These are wells without water, clouds carried by a tempest, for whom is
reserved the blackness of darkness forever.

When one speaks, others listen. The listener’s reasoning or decision

making will either be greatly or slightly influenced by the one who speaks.
A life of one person can be changed/influenced with a simple piece of
advice.
So every time we are to speak, make sure that we are to influence them in
way that they will grow deeper with God.
3.) Imprudent

James 3:5b-8
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it
defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is
set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature
of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can
tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

James on these verses tells us how worst the tongue could be! The
tongue is so wicked that according to these verses it causes your and
others life to be totally destroyed!

Jesus also said that tongue defiles the whole body. He lectured the
Pharisees on what causes a person to be defiled.

Matthew 15:11
It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the
words that come out of your mouth.”

Have you heard of the line ““Sticks and stones may break my bones, but
words will never harm me.” This is not true for the tongue also destroy the
life of others!

Proverbs 12:18
The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise
brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

And James did not leave us wondering of who sets the tongue on fire. He
clearly stated that it is the Devil!

The Pharisees having an argument with Jesus, telling He was not sent of
the Father. Jesus replied to them an answer that stirred them up in anger
(Supporting Scripture: John 8:37-47).
 John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want
to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the
truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks
from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

The story of Saphira and Ananias tells us that it is Satan who causes us to
lie (Acts 5:3).

James also stated that any beast can be tamed by man but not his
tongue. The tongue being unruly evil makes it a deadly poison. During the
creation, Eve was deceived by the serpent’s speech.

Question: Does James tells us not to rebuke? The answer is definitely NO!
Even the very Word of God can be used to rebuke others as stated in 2
Timothy 3:16-17. So how are we to do it? Simply, Paul in one of his
epistle gave us an answer.

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done with love.

All of us needs correction some or most of the time. But if you are to
correct someone from his/her mistakes, make sure that you are doing it
because you love that person, not do it to break him/her that will harness
revenge on his/her heart to you.

4.) Indefinite

James 3:9-12
With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who
have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth
proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be
so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same
opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear
figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

James now tells us how uncertain our tongue is. Times we can use it to
edify and encourage or we can use it to degrade and curse others.

Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will
eat its fruit.
 Peter is the best example of how indefinite the tongue is. On Matthew
16:16, he was the one who said that Christ is the Messiah, but some
verses later on Matthew 16:22, he was rebuking Jesus, telling Him that he
will not allow such thing to happen to Christ, because of this Peter was
called an OFFENSE!

Christians should not have this kind of tongue. Being a new creation we
should have a transformed speech. Paul in his epistles gave us the
descriptions of a transformed speech.

Ephesians 4:29 (The Message)

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your
mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Ephesians 5:3-4
But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be
named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish
talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of
thanks.

Colossians 3:8
But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Our tongue should be reflecting our transformed lives. It must be use to

edify our brethren and most importantly for the Glory of God.

Conclusion:

On this chapter, James did not clearly told us the very reason of why the
tongue is becoming troublesome. Did James leave us wondering of why the
tongue is troublesome? If you are to digest verses 11-12, James speaks of a
spring, he means that there is a source of our words. Jesus clearly states that
the problem of the tongue is a problem of the heart.

Luke 6:45
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an
evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the
abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

The problem of the heart can only be resolved with a total surrender of
our lives to Christ.