Cecil A. Fayard
Elliott Baptist Church
February 27, 2005
The Unruly Member
(The Tongue)
James 3:1-12
INTRO: There is a member that I am constantly having trouble with. This member gives me fits and needs to be exposed. This member has caused lots of heartaches and troubles. This particular member has separated good friends, made enemies, and falsely accused the innocent. Many good men and women have been cursed by this member. This member is a small member; this member is the tongue.
George Sweeting says of the tongue: "The tongue can be a beautiful angel or a hideous demon. It can be pure or vile. It can caress or cut. The tongue can arose men to act as well as it can subdue their emotions. A false whisper can infuriate a nation, but the power of eloquence can quell the fury of a multitude. A word of anger can wound while a word of kindness can win. Words of hate can kill and words of comfort can heal. God says: ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue’ Proverbs 18:21." (74-75)
I. VSS 1-4, THE POWER OF THE TONGUE TO CHART A COURSE
A. Vs 1, This verse emphasizes the responsibilities that a teacher has. In the church that James is writing to, it seems that many folks wanted the prestige of being a teacher. The word "Masters" in this verse means teachers.
1. James sends out a warning to these would be teachers, telling them that they should take a serious look at the responsibility and accountability of teaching.
2. Those who do not take their responsibility seriously will come under condemnation.
3. Teachers love your students, keep in touch with them, minister to their needs, be a good example.
B. Vs 2, Everybody will stumble once in a while and folks will be offended. One of the main ways that we offend is with our tongues.
1. If you can control your tongue, then you show maturity in your Christian life. Prov 13:3 says: "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life, but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."
2. If you can control your tongue, then you have the power to control the desires and passions of the body. Prov 21:23, "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles."
C. Vs 3, The horse is a large and strong animal. For many years, horses ran wild. Then man came along and put a bit in the horse’s mouth. With a bit in the mouth, man was able to control and direct the course of the horse.
1. Barclay said: "We put a bit into the mouth of a horse, knowing that if we can control its mouth, we can control its whole body... . if we can control the tongue, we can control the whole body; but if the tongue is uncontrolled, the whole life is set on a wrong way" (84).
2. James 1:26 says a lot about controlling the tongue. The plea is not for complete silence, but for the wise use of words.
D. Vs 4, James now uses the illustration of a ship’s rudder. The rudder is small in comparison to the whole ship; yet it is very powerful. By the grasp of the hand on the helm, the course of the ship can be set or altered.
1. Your tongue is not large at all, but it can direct the very course of your life.
2. The bit and the rudder must be under the control of a strong hand. The expert horseman can control the power of his steed. The experienced Captain can steer his ship through the raging storm. The man who controls his tongue has victory in life.
3. The key of controlling the tongue is the heart. Keep your heart right and the tongue will follow (Pro 4:23; Psa 141:3-4; Mt 12:34).
II. VSS 5-6, THE DESTRUCTION FIRE OF THE TONGUE
A. Vs 5, Fire! Fire is destructive. Fire destroys homes and business. Each year thousands of acres of timberland go up in smoke. A little spark can start a bit blaze.
1. The words you say can start fires and keep them going (Pro 26:20-21).
2. The fire the tongue starts can cause spread over the earth (Psa 73:9).
B. Vs 6, "The tongue is a fire," James says. He goes on to say that "it is a world of iniquity" that "defileth the whole body....."
1. The little spark of verse 5 is now a raging, roaring fire. It can destroy men, women, families, and churches.
2. The tongue defiles the whole body. The tongue spreads the trash that is down within the soul, defiled and defiling.
3. "Setteth on fire the course of nature." The "course" here is a cycle or the whole of being. Your tongue effects who you are, what you are (Pro 4:23).
4. "Set on fire of hell"– kindled with hell’s fire.
III. VSS 7-8, THE VICIOUS TONGUE BEYOND TAMING
A. Vs 7, The tongue is described as a dangerous animal. The only difference between the wild animals and the tongue is that the animals can be tamed, but not the tongue.
B. Vs 8, No man can tame the tongue; only Jesus can do that. He can take the vilest tongue and clean it up.
1. The tongue can be full of poison like a venomous snake. The tongue can hurt, even kill.
2. If your heart is full of hatred, then poison will ooze out (Mt 12:34).
IV. VSS 9-12, BLESSING AND CURSING, BITTER AND SWEET
A. Vs 9, the same tongue that sings: "O, how I love Jesus" curses the man in the next pew.
1. The same tongue that reads the Word of life speaks words of cruelty about his brother.
2. The tongue that testifies of God’s grace speaks wrathfully of his neighbor.
B. Vs. 10, Blessings and cursings should not proceed from the same mouth.
C. Vs 11, A water fountain is consistent. It brings forth either sweet or bitter water but not both.
1. The tongue should bring refreshment, not bitterness.
a. Water is life giving. Our words should give life.
b. Water cleanses. God’s Word is the spiritual water that cleanses us. John 15:3; Eph 5:26-27.
2. Out tongue can help to bring the cleansing message of salvation.
D. Vs 12, The fig tree bears figs and the vine its fruit.
1. If the tongue is inconsistent then something is wrong.
2. We need to strive to have a tongue that glorifies God.
CONCLUSION: Let us pray with David: "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing." Psa 141:3-4
For additional copies of the sermon CD's, please contact the church office:
Elliott Baptist Church
566 Nat G. Troutt Road
Elliott, Mississippi 38901
Phone: 662-226-4425
Pastors Email: cecilafayard@msn.com