James 3:2 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. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 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. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 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. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 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.
V2. Because we all "stumble in many things"
This should not discourage any from trying to find out if teaching is a gift that they might have if nurtured along, but one should proceed with humility and caution.
V3 A bit controls a horse Psalm 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."
V4 1. A rudder controls the ship
V5 A small fire can easily cause great destruction (Great Chicago Fire 1million acres in 3 states)
v6 James describes an uncontrolled tongue as;
Ecclesiastes 5:6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?
The Devil is described as an accuser of the brethren Rev 12:10,
The Devil is described as a liar and murder John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
V7 Despite being able to tame wild animals, man is unable to tame the tongue!
Gen 1:26 Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. Gen 9:2 again we have control after the flood
V8 It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison! Ps 140:3 They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; The poison of asps is under their lips.
Ps 52:1-5
Gossip - Prov 17:9 He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
Pastor’s advice Woman was told to cut the hole in a pillow, the next day go back and pick them up
PG 62 poem about gossip
Flattery - Ps 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
Ps 64:3-8
Ps 141:3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
Ep 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
Co 4:6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
V9-10 As one more example of how difficult it is to tame the tongue, James uses a very common (and fitting) problem
1) We spend time in worship, blessing God
2) But after church, someone may give us a hard time for going to church or irritate us somehow
v11-12 The illustrations of a spring, a fig tree and a grapevine, James shows the inconsistency of this!
Mk 7:20-23 And He said, "What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23 "All these evil things come from within and defile a man."
In CONCLUSION
May David's prayer be our own:
Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
Lastly, remember v11-12
The true believer in Jesus Christ will not contradict his profession of faith by the regular use of nasty and offensive words
Mt 7:15-23
Do you know Christ? If so prove it by taming your tongue with God’s help
If not then, trust Him today:
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