The Power and Peril of the Tongue
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound impact of the tongue on our lives as believers, drawing from the wisdom of James chapter 3. The tongue, though a small part of the body, wields tremendous power to direct, destroy, and define our faith and actions. I began by addressing the dangers of desiring to be a teacher or leader for the wrong reasons, highlighting the greater condemnation that comes with misleading others through our words.
I emphasized that everyone, including myself, is prone to misusing the tongue. This was illustrated by my own lapse in speech during a live-streamed church event. This vulnerability to error underscores the first fact about the tongue: it is standard equipment, and if one could control it flawlessly, they would be perfect. However, since perfection is beyond our reach, we must recognize the tongue's potential for both good and harm.
I then delved into the seven examples James provides to illustrate the nature of the tongue: the horse, the ship and the rudder, the fire, the wild beast, the poison, the spring, and the tree. Each of these examples serves to demonstrate a different aspect of the tongue's influence. For instance, the horse and the bridle, as well as the ship and the rudder, show how the tongue can steer our entire life's direction. The fire, wild beast, and poison illustrate the tongue's destructive potential, capable of defiling not only the speaker but also those who are spoken to.
The spring and the tree examples highlight the dichotomy of the tongue's output. Just as a spring cannot produce both sweet and bitter water, and a tree cannot bear different kinds of fruit, our tongues reveal the true nature of our faith. If we bless God and curse men with the same mouth, there is a fundamental inconsistency that needs to be addressed.
In conclusion, the tongue is a sign of our faith. It can express a living, active faith that aligns with the commandments to love God and our neighbor, or it can betray a faith that is lacking. Our speech should reflect the fruits of a genuine relationship with God, and when it does not, it calls us to examine the authenticity of our faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The tongue's power to direct our lives is akin to a small rudder steering a large ship. It may be small, but it has the potential to set the course of our entire existence. We must therefore approach our speech with the understanding that our words can have significant and lasting effects on ourselves and others. [01:05:26]
- Words have the capacity to destroy, much like a fire that spreads uncontrollably. The tongue can defile not only the individual but also those around them. This destructive nature of the tongue serves as a reminder to guard our words carefully, as they can cause irreparable harm. [01:08:55]
- The inconsistency of the tongue, as illustrated by the spring and the tree, challenges us to consider the congruence between our speech and our faith. If our words do not align with the fruits of the Spirit, it is an indication that our heart may not be in the right place. [01:14:19]
- The tongue is a sign of our faith's authenticity. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our speech reveals the true nature of our heart. If our tongue produces blessings and curses, it may be a sign that our faith needs to be examined and realigned with God's word. [01:18:04]
- Controlling the tongue is not merely a matter of willpower; it requires a right attitude towards God. Without submitting our hearts to God's authority, we will struggle to tame the tongue. This submission is the first step towards aligning our speech with the will of God. [01:07:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- James 3:1-12
- Luke 6:44-46
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the seven examples James uses to illustrate the nature of the tongue? ([41:21])
2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the horse and the bridle in relation to the tongue? ([01:04:03])
3. How does the sermon describe the destructive potential of the tongue using the example of fire? ([01:08:21])
4. What does James say about the inconsistency of the tongue, and how does it relate to the spring and the tree? ([01:12:21])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James warn against the desire to become a teacher or leader for the wrong reasons? How does this relate to the greater condemnation mentioned? ([52:09])
2. How does the sermon illustrate the idea that the tongue can both bless God and curse men? What does this reveal about our faith? ([01:12:21])
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that controlling the tongue requires a right attitude towards God? ([01:07:05])
4. How does the sermon use the examples of the spring and the tree to challenge the congruence between our speech and our faith? ([01:14:19])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent time when your words had a significant impact on someone else. Was it positive or negative? How can you be more mindful of your speech in the future? ([01:05:26])
2. The sermon mentions that words can destroy like a fire. Can you think of a situation where your words caused harm? What steps can you take to seek reconciliation or prevent similar situations? ([01:08:55])
3. Consider the inconsistency of the tongue as described in the sermon. Are there areas in your life where your speech does not align with your faith? How can you address this inconsistency? ([01:14:19])
4. The sermon emphasizes that the tongue is a sign of our faith's authenticity. What does your speech reveal about your heart and faith? How can you ensure that your words reflect a genuine relationship with God? ([01:18:04])
5. Controlling the tongue is not merely a matter of willpower but requires submission to God's authority. What practical steps can you take to submit your heart and speech to God this week? ([01:07:05])
6. Think of a person in your life who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help control your tongue? ([01:19:24])
7. Identify one specific way you can use your words to build up and encourage someone this week. How will you follow through on this commitment? ([01:20:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Power of Words to Direct Life
The tongue may be small, but it holds the power to steer the course of our lives, much like a rudder directs a ship. This power is not to be taken lightly, as our words can set in motion a series of events that shape our reality and influence those around us. It is essential to recognize the weight of our words and the responsibility that comes with them. By speaking with intention and care, we can guide our lives in a direction that honors God and reflects His love to others. The ability to control our speech is not just about avoiding harm; it's about actively choosing to speak life into every situation we encounter. [01:05:26]
"Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" - Psalm 141:3
Reflection: How can you intentionally use your words today to steer a conversation towards something that honors God and edifies others?
Day 2: Destructive Nature of Words
Words have the capacity to destroy, akin to a small spark that can set a great forest ablaze. The tongue can corrupt the whole body and set the course of one's life on fire. It is crucial to be mindful of the words we speak, as they can cause deep wounds that are not easily healed. The destructive power of the tongue is a stark reminder to guard our speech, ensuring that what we say builds up rather than tears down. By doing so, we not only protect others from harm but also safeguard our own spiritual well-being. [01:08:55]
"For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." - Matthew 12:37
Reflection: Can you recall a time when your words caused unintended harm? How can you make amends and practice speaking with kindness today?
Day 3: Consistency of Speech and Faith
The inconsistency of the tongue, as illustrated by the spring and the tree, calls us to examine the congruence between our speech and our faith. A spring does not pour forth both fresh and bitter water, and a fig tree does not bear olives. Our words are a reflection of what is in our hearts, and they should align with the fruits of the Spirit. If there is a disconnect between what we profess and how we speak, it is a sign that we need to delve deeper into our relationship with God and align our hearts with His teachings. [01:14:19]
"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit." - Matthew 12:33
Reflection: Are there inconsistencies in your speech that reflect a deeper spiritual struggle? What steps can you take to ensure your words are in harmony with your faith?
Day 4: Authenticity of Faith Revealed in Speech
The tongue is a powerful indicator of the authenticity of our faith. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, our speech can reveal the true condition of our hearts. If we find ourselves praising God one moment and speaking ill of others the next, it is time to examine the genuineness of our faith. Our words should consistently reflect the love and grace that we have received from God, and when they do not, it is an opportunity for introspection and growth. [01:18:04]
"Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be." - James 3:10
Reflection: Listen to your words throughout the day. Do they reflect a heart transformed by God's grace, or do they reveal areas where your faith may need strengthening?
Day 5: Taming the Tongue Through Godly Submission
Controlling the tongue is not a matter of sheer willpower; it requires a heart submitted to God. Without aligning our hearts with God's will, our efforts to tame the tongue will be in vain. Submission to God is the first step toward ensuring that our speech is a reflection of His love and truth. When we surrender our hearts to God, He empowers us to use our words to bless, encourage, and speak truth in love. [01:07:05]
"Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." - Proverbs 21:23
Reflection: What area of your speech do you find difficult to surrender to God, and how can you invite Him into that area to help you speak with grace and truth?
Quotes
1) "The tongue is simple it has the ability to destroy and defile not only the person but those around them. This is James's theme guys. He's not departing, he's telling you just as your fate ought to produce work, your tongue is producing something and by the product that comes from your tongue, your fate is revealed." [01:12:38]
2) "If I'm in here this morning and I'm appealing unto God to touch me, to impact me, to mold me, to teach me, and then I stroll out in the parking lot and get in my car and somebody pulls turns in front of me and I jump out of the car and I custom for all their worth, something's not right about that. There's an obvious issue there." [01:14:19]
3) "The tree can only produce fruit of its seed. The vine can only produce fruit of its seed. The fountain can only give water of its source. A fountain can give sweet water or it can give salt water but it can't give both. A tree can give apples or it can give pears but it can't give both." [01:16:28]
4) "We stumble all. All of us, everybody is indicated. This problem indicates everyone. The construction lends itself to certainty, an absolute statement that everybody is indicated in this problem. We stumble, period. All of us, exclamation. We're all guilty, no one is excused." [01:02:11]
5) "The tongue can control the whole body but you are not capable of controlling the tongue without your attitude being right towards the Lord. Secondly, he talks about the ships... the tongue is small in relation to everything else but it has the ability to direct the entire course of life." [01:07:05]
6) "Behold how great a matter a little fire kindleth and the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity... it defiles the whole body and the word defile there is the word for stain and it discolors, disfigures, and defiles. It leaves an impression when we think about the tongue, we're talking about speech, words are very damaging." [01:08:55]
7) "By the tongue our faith and its type are determined. For every tree is known by his own fruit. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil for of the abundance of his heart the mouth speaketh." [01:18:04]
8) "What does your tongue say about your faith? That's what James is asking. What type of water are you producing, salt water or sweet water? Is the fruit in your life evident of the faith in your heart? If you are calling upon God for your salvation and for your sustenance, you should be producing in your life works that are evident of a living faith." [01:19:50]
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