James 3:1-12 JAMES (Series)

1) If your mind goes blank, don’t forget to turn off the sound. 2) What one does not say does not have to be explained. 3) Blessed is he who has nothing to say and abstains from giving verbal evidence of the fact. 4) Saving face is most often accomplished by keeping the lower part of it shut. 5) A closed mouth gathers no feet.

James 3:1-6 “Let not man of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And 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.

James 3:7-12 “For every species of beast and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 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. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh water.”

MOSES“…spoke rashly with his lips.” Ps. 106:33 ISAIAH“Woe is me. I am a man of unclean lips.” Isa. 6:5 JOB“…I put my hand over my mouth.” Job 40:4

SOLOMON “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable; but he who restrains his lips is wise.” Prov. 10:19 “One who speaks rashly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Prov. 12:18 “The one who guards his mouth preserves life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” Prov. 13:3 “A gentle answer turns away wrath; but harsh words stir up anger.” Prov. 15:1 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who use it well eat of its fruit.” Prov. 18:21

JESUS “FOR OUT OF THE HEART, THE MAN SPEAKS.” OUR WORDS ARE A WINDOW TO THE INSIDE OF THE SOUL!

THE POWER OF WORDS!

I. WHAT IS THE TONGUE LIKE? (WORD PICTURES) IT IS LIKE A HORSE OUT OF CONTROL THAT NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL! “Now if we put the bits into the horses mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well.” vs. 3 (POSITIVE) A. THE TONGUE IS LIKE A HORSE’S BIT

WHAT IS THE TONGUE LIKE? (cont.) (NEGATIVE) THE TONGUE IS LIKE A SPARK THAT STARTS A FOREST FIRE! It is small but can be very destructive! “Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire.” (vs. 5)

WHAT IS THE TONGUE LIKE? (cont.) (NEGATIVE) THE TONGUE IS LIKE DEADLY POISON! It not only destroys – it can bring death! “…it is a restless evil, and full of deadly poison.” (vs. 8)

II. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TONGUE (WORD PICTURES CONTINUED) WILD ANIMALS ARE TAMED! YOU EXPECT FROM THE TONGUE A CERTAIN PERFORMANCE! “For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue….” vs. 7,8

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TONGUE (cont.) A FOUNTAIN PRODUCES ONE KIND OF WATER! YOU EXPECT NOT TO BE SURPRISED BY THE SOURCE! “Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?” (VS. 11)

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE TONGUE (cont.)

III. WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TONGUE “If your lips would keep from slips five things observe with care: To whom you speak Of whom you speak And how And when And where”

III. WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TONGUE (cont.) 1.BE AWARE OF THE DANGER! (3:1-12) 2.BE CAREFUL HOW IT IS USED! (3:1) 3.HAVE A STRATEGY FOR EVERY MOMENT! (3:2) “…if a man does not stumble ‘what he says’ (logos), he is a perfect man….”

WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR TONGUE (cont.)

PRAYERS TO PRAY