Controlling the Tongue: Part 2 - James Lesson 17

 Open your Bibles to the book of James. We are going to be looking at James 3. We took a break from James for Mother’s Day last week. The break came right in the middle of the passage that deals with the control of the tongue. Let’s read the first 12 verses of James 3 as we begin this morning.

 Just to remind you of the context, James has been giving us a series of tests of genuine faith. You can test the reality and validity of your faith by examining the book of James. James has given us the test of how we respond to trials, how we respond to temptation, and how we respond to the word of God. These were in chapter 1. In chapter 2 we had the test of impartial love and the test of works which prove the faith we claim to have as genuinely saving faith. Now in chapter 3 we are looking at the test of the control of the tongue.

 The control of the tongue is a valid test of genuine faith. Our words will inevitably reveal the true condition of our hearts.

 I need to remind you that the test of the tongue applies to the words of our mouths spoken at all times, not just the words spoken when we are at church, or around others who also know how and when to speak words that are only appropriate. The true test of the tongue is applied to those words spoken when we are at home, or in circumstances and situations where the true picture of who we are is portrayed. As I said last time, we all know what to say when we are here. We all do a pretty good job of controlling the tongue at church, or in public. We do a fairly good job when we are in setting where we know others are watching. The real test comes when we are in those settings where we are showing the reality of who we are. You are not who you truly are when you are here. You are who you truly are within the confines of your home. You are who you really are when no one from church is watching.

 We saw three reasons for controlling the tongue last time in verses 1-5a. The first reason for controlling the tongue is the fact that there is accountability before God for the words we speak. James shows us that by explaining why teachers should not rush into the position without proper preparation. There is a stricter judgment, a higher level of accountability for the words spoken by the teacher of God’s word. But it isn’t just teachers who are accountable for their words. Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37, “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We must all control the tongue because we are accountable for the words we speak.

 The second reason to control the tongue is because the tongue is the easiest, and most common avenue by which we express the sinfulness of our hearts and minds. Verse 2 makes this known to us. We all stumble in many ways, and if a person does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man. To the first statement, “we all stumble in many ways” we all have to say, “Amen!” We do stumble in many ways. I grow weary from the constant battle with temptation and the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life. I stumble in many ways. My mouth is the channel through which my sinfulness most often expresses itself. Jesus said it like this. “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, slanders.” (Matt. 15:18-19) We must control the tongue because the mouth is the avenue by which our sinfulness is most readily expressed.

 Thirdly, we must control the tongue because if we can control the tongue, we demonstrate the self-control necessary to control the rest of our faculties. Verse 2 tells us that the one who bridles the tongue bridles the whole body as well. James gave us two examples. One was the horse which is controlled by a small bit in the horses’ mouth. The other was the ship which is controlled by a very small rudder. With these two examples James illustrates the ability to control both internal characteristics and external circumstances. Some people blame their natural tendencies to be hot tempered on their inability to control their tongues. The natural tendencies of horses are controlled with a bit in the mouth. Some people blame their external circumstances for their inability to keep their mouth shut. Ships are controlled in spite of the external influences of wind and currents. If we can control the tongue, we demonstrate the ability to control the rest of our faculties.

 No matter what a person’s natural tendencies may be - to be angry, or critical, or a gossip, or whatever, controlling the tongue shows a commitment to control those natural tendencies. This is what God does through the transforming power of the gospel. No matter what external circumstances we find ourselves in controlling the tongue demonstrates that we are in control of our entire being. Self-control is one of the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit.

 The one who is truly a born again, regenerated, devoted follower of Christ, will take seriously the issue of accountability, especially for his or her words. This one will also take seriously his or her responsibility to pursue holiness and purity in their walk, making sure they do not stumble in word or deed. They will also take seriously their duty to put off all things related to the old way of life and putting on the self-control that manifests the transformation of the work of salvation.

 Let’s move on to the next reasons as we find them described in verses 5b-12. The next reason we find that we must control the tongue is because of the potential of the tongue to cause devastating destruction. Look at the last part of verse 5. “See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” James uses the example of fire to describe the potential devastation because fire is unique in its capacity to destroy. Fire spreads so quickly and extensively without needing additional resources. It consumes everything in its path.

 We live in Oklahoma so we know something about nature’s capacity to destroy. We can see the potential of destructive forces. We have seen devastating tornadoes this spring. They are terribly destructive, but what is the capacity of a tornado to destroy compared to a fire? The tornado destroys the things in its path, but it’s scope of destruction is limited to its path. A tornado won’t touch down in once spot and then spread in every direction growing and consuming everything it touches. Even a flood cannot destroy like a fire. A bomb can destroy, but only things in the vicinity of where it falls.

 Fire is different. Fire has a different destructive nature than anything else. A tiny match, or a carelessly discarded cigarette, or a spark from a very small campfire can ignite a fire that will continue to burn in every direction. The fire needs no additional energy. It creates its own energy to destroy as it burns. It will continue to burn until either the fuel sources are completely consumed, or something else happens to extinguish the flames. A tornado eventually looses its strength and dies out on its own. A flood requires rain to keep providing what it needs to continue to destroy. Inherent in the fire is the ability to keep on going, destroying and causing devastation.

 Likewise, the tongue has the ability to keep on hurting, keep on destroying, keep on devastating those around us. If our tongues are spewing out hateful words, or critical words, or complaining words, or attacking words, or vile words, or angry words, or course words, these are hurtful words. These are words that destroy and devastate. The tongue can just keep on hurting, and damaging, and destroying, and devastating the hearts and minds of those around us. And usually those hurt the worst by the tongue are those we are supposed to love the most.

 The first part of verse 5 states a truism. The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. The Greek word which is translated “boasts of great things” is one word in the Greek. It is “megaloucheo.” It means to boast exceedingly. When we think of boasting exceedingly we think of the braggart who loves to tell of his accomplishments. This is not what James is saying. What James is telling us here is that the mouth is speaking abundantly loud and clear and it is telling us, in no uncertain terms, the truth about the heart of the person from whose mouth the words are flowing. If the words are words that are damaging and destroying another person, the mouth is proclaiming the truth about the character and nature of the person who speaks.

 The person who speaks words of destruction reveals the very source from which he or she comes. The mouth that habitually destroys is speaking on behalf of the destroyer. This person’s tongue is set on fire by hell. Any of us is capable of speaking hurtful words. When I say hurtful things to my wife, and I do on occasion, I am convicted and remorseful and I apologize and repent and determine not to do that again. But you show me a man who habitually speaks hurtful, critical, unflattering, angry, or vile words to his wife and I will show you a man who speaks on behalf of the destroyer, Satan. He is not a Christian. His words boast exceedingly of the reality of his spiritual condition.

 James goes on to explain this in verse 6. “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.” This verse says a lot. It is very descriptive. What is James saying? Well, the tongue is called “the very world of iniquity.” “World” is “kosmos” and can speak of the physical world, or of a system. We often speak of the world in terms of the evil world system which lies in the power of the evil one. When John tells us to not love the world or the things in the world, he is telling us not to love the evil world system with its influences and customs and practices. This is the same use of the word “world” in verse 6. It is the realm of iniquity.

 “Iniquity” speaks of all that is inappropriate, unrighteous, and vile. When James calls the tongue the “world of iniquity” he tells us that the tongue is capable of all kinds of wickedness. The tongue, like no other member of our body, is capable of expressions of wickedness. You can’t think of an evil that cannot be expressed with the tongue. Because the tongue is the very world of iniquity, the totality of our iniquity will be revealed through the tongue. The tongue is what expresses the entire realm of iniquity.

 James further explains this by saying, “the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body.” The tongue is set among our members. This means it is one of the many parts of the body. But it is the only part of the body that can defile the entire body. The word “defiles” means to spot or stain in a moral sense. The tongue can produce moral stains or defiling marks on the entire person. Again, quoting the words of Jesus, from whom James borrowed so much of what he writes, Jesus said in Mark 7:20-23, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.” How do these proceed from within the person? They flow out of the mouth.

 James continues in verse 6 to say that the tongue “sets on fire the course of our life.” The word course is describing the path of life. It is your pattern of living. “Life” is “genesis” in the Greek. It speaks of your origin, or the place from which you rise. What James is saying here is that your words reveal the truth concerning who you are as a person and the path you are on. Your words will reveal the pattern of your life and they will generally dictate the path of your life. For example, if your words are characterized as impatient words, you will be considered an impatient person. If your words are characterized as hateful words, you are a hateful person. If your words are characterized as critical words, you are a critical person. If your words are characterized as angry words, you are an angry person.

 Conversely, if your words are characterized as kind words, you will be considered a kind person. You will be known by the words you speak.

 Not only this, but your words will affect everything and everyone in your circle of influence. That word “course” is a word that pictures a wheel rolling around in a rut. It is a picture of a wheel that goes around in a circle. We speak of life in general as a circle of influence. Your words will affect everything and everyone within that circle of influence. Either for good, or for destruction and evil, your words will touch everyone within the course of your life.

 This last phrase in verse 6 is powerful. “and is set on fire by hell.” The explanation of this that makes the most sense in this context is that the tongue is the tool of Satan if it isn’t controlled. Hell is Satan’s place. Hell is the place prepared for Satan and his demons. James’ point in these verses is that the tongue must be controlled because of its great potential to destroy like a fire. The tongue, when set on fire, goes about its work of destruction, and it is doing the work of hell. To be set on fire is to be inflamed. If when your mouth opens you are bringing destruction with your words you are Satan’s mouthpiece. You are doing hell’s work.

 There are so many Scriptural examples of this and time will permit me to only mention one example. Proverbs 16:27 says “A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like a scorching fire.” In 1 Samuel 22 there is a story about David as he was running from Saul who wanted to kill him. David went to the priest at Nob, a city about a mile outside of Jerusalem. Ahemilech the priest gave David consecrated bread and the sword of Goliath which had been stored there. There was a worthless man named Doeg the Edomite. Doeg told Saul what happened. Saul sent for Ahemilech and sentenced him and his household to death. Then Doeg attacked the city of Nob and killed the women and children of that city.

 Doeg was the worthless man who dug up evil and his words were like a scorching fire as described in Prov. 16:27. When his words were shared they unleashed a firestorm of Satan’s work resulting in the destruction of many righteous men and innocent women and children. Doeg’s words were set on fire by hell.

 Look at verse 8. This verse emphasizes again the tremendous potential for destruction possessed in the tongue. No one can tame the tongue. It can really only be tamed by the Lord through the transforming power of the gospel. That isn’t going to be a perfect taming as long as we live in this fallen world. But no one can tame the tongue apart from the regenerative work of the Spirit of God in salvation. The unregenerate will continue to speak with untamed tongues.

 An untamed tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. The word “restless” paints a vivid picture for us. It describes a wild animal that is fighting against the restraints of captivity. We can all relate to that picture of our tongues. We know how easy it is to let our words slip out. Sometimes the cage of teeth is not sufficient to hold in the restless tongue. But it must be controlled because it is full of deadly poison.

 If we had a bottle here that was marked with the skull and cross-bones and labeled “poison” we would not dare to pick up that bottle and drink its contents. Do you know what is just as dangerous as a bottle of poison? Some words are just as deadly. As a pastor, and a minister of the gospel, I have to carefully watch my steps to make sure my life is lived above reproach in every way. Even the slightest suggestion of inappropriate behavior on my part could bring deadly destruction to a lifetime of work. Words can be full of deadly poison. We must control our tongue because of the potential to destroy.

 We must move on to the next reason. We find it in verses 9-10. “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” We must control the tongue, otherwise our words will stand as a complete contradiction to our claims to be Christians.

 Psalm 34:1 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 63:4 says, “I will bless You as long as I live…” Psalm 145:1 says, “I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever.” There is a great patter for our praise to God. The first verse speaks of praising continually. The second verse speaks of blessing His name as long as I live. The third verse speaks of blessing God forever and ever.

 If we were to make that the primary function of our tongues, that wouldn’t leave much time for things like criticism or gossip. It is really impossible to be blessing the name of the Lord and cursing or swearing or complaining at the same time. Those things are pretty much mutually exclusive activities.

 Contradictions are easy to see. Listen, it is hard to convince someone, especially a skeptical unbeliever, that you are the real deal in regards to this Christian life. Skeptics are not easily convinced concerning the reality of your faith. However, it is easy to convince someone you are a phony. Just let the words of your mouth contradict your claims, and they are easily convinced that your claims of Christianity are merely empty words.

 The final reason James tells us to control the tongue is because our words reveal the truth about the source from which they come. We find this in verses 11-12. “Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?” What is the answer to that question? The answer is “no.” Absolutely not. It is impossible for the same fountain to send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water. If the fountain sends out bitter water the fountain is full of bitter water. If the fountain sends out fresh water, it is full of fresh water. There isn’t any denying that reality. There isn’t a good way to dispute that certainty.

 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? No. The nature of the fig tree demands that it produce figs. The nature of the olive demands that it comes from an olive tree. The vine produces grapes, never figs. Figs will only come from fig trees. Angry, complaining, critical, hateful, hurtful, abusive words come from a source that is all those things. Loving, patient, kind, considerate, edifying, encouraging, soothing words come from a source that is all those things.

 James closes with this conclusion. Nor can salt water produce fresh. If water is salty, it comes from a salty source. If water is fresh, it has to have come from a fresh water source.

 There is only one way for a bitter water source to become fresh. Look at Exodus 15:22-25. God showed Moses a tree, which transformed the bitter water into sweet.

 Your words reveal the truth about the source from which they come. If they are bitter words they come from a bitter heart. There is a tree that works to transform the bitter heart into a sweet source.