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BOOK OF JAMES

STUDY PART 13 - “The Tongue, Our Test Of Maturity”

James 3:1-5 (1) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (2) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. (3) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. (5) Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

Intro: James is the Epistle of right living. Remember, it’s based on a “Belief that Behaves.” Within the pages of this little book are contained some very practical lessons for all of God’s children. James 3 is the most complete section in the Bible dealing with our tongue and our words. Here the Spirit of God brings together the Scriptural teaching on our speech. Many Christians would cringe from such sins as intoxication, infidelity, and lust. Yet, these same Believers may engage in gossip, slander, backbiting, and using God’s name in vane. James 3 contains one of the keys to the solution of most church ills.

I. Position brings Responsibility (vs. 1 & 2) - (1) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. (2) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. –Not many of you should presume to be teachers- “Not many teachers” in the King James is the correct rendering of the word “masters.” Teachers are necessary, but they must be kept in the minority. It is unfortunate when a Christian assembly has no teachers. However, a worse condition arises when everyone wants to teach. God always raises up teachers for His works (I Cor. 12:28). The problem is getting those to exercise there God given gift. Consider what a privilege it is to teach God’s Word. , because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly or King James-“We shall receive the greater condemnation”- In God’s Word, greater privilege always brings greater responsibility. Remember, that teachers of God’s Word must be called by Him to teach (Eph. 1:1) Those who teach must be careful to always teach the truth. False teachers who teach the wrong way to eternal life and lead souls astray will occupy the lowest depths of hell (Ez. 3:18, 19). At the Judgment seat of Christ (rewards that are lost or gained, not salvation), all who believe will answer for all words & deeds (Mat. 12:36) (Rom 14:10) (2) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. - “we all offend” in the King James. This is the verse in its proper order. A) None of us are perfect (I John 1:8) b) We are all guilty in stumbling in many things

Examples, God’s servants from the Bible right down the list are guilty of this stumbling. Moses truly was one of God’s choicest servants, but it is written, “That he spake unadvisedly with his lips.” (Ps. 106:33). Isaiah was a good and holy servant of Jehovah, still he said “I am undone because I am a man of unclean lips.” (Isa. 6:5). Peter, the disciple of Christ, boasted that no man could offend him because of Christ, and yet that very night he denied Christ three times (Matt. 26: 69-75). Paul, God’s great apostle to the Gentiles confessed, “For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing (Rom. 7:18).

All of us must stand guilty in the wrong us of our tongue. Only of Jesus, it is said “Did not sin, neither was guile found in His mouth, who, then he as reviled, reviled not again (I Peter 2:22,23). Look at “the perfect man” in the last part of vs. 2 here in James 3. We see that one who offends not is a mature man. The word perfect, again means, full grown and mature and does not carry the thought of the old nature being eradicated. The control of the tongue is the barometer of Christian maturity. How does your barometer read? David expresses this first lesson of Christian living in Ps. 39:1. Socrates said, “speak friend that I may see thee”.

II. II. Controlled by a Little Member (Vs. 3-5) - (3) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. (4) Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, the are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. (5) Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.

James in vs. 3 uses the illustration of a horse. A bit, though very small is necessary in order to control the horse. The horse can be held in check. The horse can be guided also with the reigns and bit. The moment we loose the reigns we lose the whole horse. The moment the tongue is not held in check, we endanger the whole body (Mat. 12:36, 37). “Be ye not as the horse; whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle” (Ps. 32:9). A horse is literally controlled by his tongue. Just so the man is controlled by his tongue (Ps. 34:13).

James in vs. 4 uses the ships as an illustration. The helm of the ship though small, controls the whole ship. Today, we live in a time of great and mighty ships. But, regardless of the size of the ship, it must have a rudder. To loose the rudder or control over the rudder results in an S.O.S. Distress and helplessness are the results when control is lost over the tongue as well. Notice “are driven by strong winds” in vs. 4. The great ship comes through the storm to bring passengers and cargo safely to shore because the helm was used properly and though small did a great work. Many are the souls lost on the sea of life tossed about by the winds of time. But words from one could be used to guide this soul to a haven of rest (Prov. 3:5, 6). Are your lips ready to guide human souls to the haven of rest defined as the Lord Jesus Christ?

The tongue is a little member (vs. 5). Like the bit of the horse and the helm of the ship, the tongue is a very small part of the human body. It can do a lot of good (Ps 107:2). It can also do a lot of harm, for this is the reason it must be curbed or tamed. The tongue is our most active member of the body. Note it first boasts of great things. It boasts about what we have done, what we are doing, and what we intend to do. (Prov. 27:1). That little word “I” is the most used word in the English language (Luke 12:16-21). Satan boasted against God (Is. 14:12-15). Men boast against God. Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go.” –Ex 5:2. As God’s children, we are reminded that all we have is from God (I Cor. 4:7). The last part of vs. 5 is another illustration from nature. James here says a loosed tongue is like a fire unchecked “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Or the Amplified New Testament “See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze.” The fire needs only a small spark but then it spreads out of control when unchecked. Notice what the fire does. It brings destruction to everything in its path or destruction to those in its path. Fire hurts for there is nothing more painful than a burn. Human hearts have been caused great pain by the tongue and its words. For words can pierce like a sword and cut like a razor (Prov. 12:18) (Ps. 52:2).

CONCLUSION: Christian, our tongue can be used for the spreading of good or evil. The choice is ours on how we decide to use our tongues. Pray that the Holy Spirit searches your heart right now. If you are convicted of an unbridled tongue, confess it as sin and the Lord Jesus Christ will forgive you (I John 1:9). Then from this day forward Christ as your helper through the Holy Spirit will be able to control your tongue (Phil 4:13). Before you receive help for your tongue, you must know Christ as Savior. You must be born again (John 3:3). Remember, Christ not only gives us eternal life but He gives us help and strength for all the days of this Life on earth as well.