As we continue our study in the book of James, we come to one of the most descriptive biblical passages about the tongue. As we pour over the first 12 verses of chapter 3, we find some very convicting truths about the tongue.
- My tongue is an of instruction.
“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1)
“As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.” (I Timothy 1:3-4)
“If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth.” (I Timothy 6:3-5)
2. My Tongue is an of what is in my heart.
“For 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 3:2)
“Watch over your heart with all diligence; for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put devious lips far from you.” (Proverbs 4:23-24)
“For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” (Matthew 12:34)
3. My tongue has a powerful Influence over others.
a. My tongue has the power to .
“If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look 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 3:3-4)
b. My tongue has the power to .
“So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.” (James 3:5a)
“A turtle lays thousands of eggs without anyone knowing, but when a hen lays an egg, the whole country is informed.” – Malayan Proverb
c. My tongue has the power to .
“How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!” (James 3:5b)
“Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man’s inmost parts.” (Proverbs 26:20-22)
d. My tongue has the power to .
“And 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.” (James 3:6)
4. My tongue is a source of .
a. My tongue is .
“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.” (James 3:7-8a)
b. My tongue is .
“it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8b)
c. My tongue is .
“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pound yield fresh water.” (James 5:9-12)
Our Response
- Ask God to your
- to your words.
- Practice speaking.