The Transformative Power of the Tongue
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into James chapter 3, focusing on the power of the tongue. James is a book that challenges us to live out our faith authentically, and chapter 3 is no exception. The tongue, though small, wields immense power. It can uplift and inspire, but it can also destroy and corrupt. We explored four key powers of the tongue: the power to condemn, control, corrupt, and contradict. Each of these powers carries significant weight, and we must be mindful of how we use our words.
James begins by addressing teachers, emphasizing the heightened accountability they face because their words can lead others astray. He then uses vivid imagery to illustrate the tongue's power to control, comparing it to a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a ship. Despite its small size, the tongue can steer the course of our lives. James also warns about the tongue's corrupting power, likening it to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire. Finally, he highlights the tongue's contradicting power, pointing out the inconsistency of praising God while cursing others.
The solution to these challenges lies in seeking God's wisdom to govern our words. We must strive to use our speech to praise, encourage, and uplift rather than to condemn, control, corrupt, or contradict. By doing so, we align our words with our faith, ensuring that our speech reflects the love and wisdom of God.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Tongue's Power to Condemn: Teachers and leaders bear a significant responsibility because their words can lead others astray. James warns that those who teach will be judged more strictly, emphasizing the need for reverence and respect in our speech. This accountability extends to all of us, reminding us that our words have the power to condemn or acquit us before God. [09:51]
2. The Tongue's Power to Control: James uses the imagery of a bit in a horse's mouth and a rudder on a ship to illustrate how the tongue, though small, can control the direction of our lives. An uncontrolled tongue can lead to dangerous situations, much like an untamed horse or a ship without a rudder. The solution is to learn to control our speech, understanding that sometimes the best course of action is to remain silent. [14:43]
3. The Tongue's Power to Corrupt: James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire, highlighting its potential to corrupt and contaminate. Our words can spread negativity and poison relationships if not kept in check. The solution is to let the Lord guard our mouths, ensuring that our speech is life-giving rather than life-corrupting. [19:39]
4. The Tongue's Power to Contradict: James points out the inconsistency of using the same tongue to praise God and curse others. This contradiction undermines our faith and witness. We must strive to use our words to praise, encourage, and uplift, ensuring that our speech aligns with our faith and reflects the love of God. [24:43]
5. Practical Application: Before speaking, we should run our words through a threefold test: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? This practical approach helps us ensure that our speech is aligned with God's wisdom. Additionally, praying for God's guidance in our conversations can help us avoid saying things that might condemn, control, corrupt, or contradict. [28:32]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:03] - Introduction: The Power of the Tongue
[02:21] - The Tongue as a Weapon
[03:49] - Taming the Tongue and Wisdom
[05:03] - Personal Reflection and Goal
[06:12] - Acronyms and Their Meanings
[07:22] - The Tongue, Heart, and Everything
[08:41] - Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak
[09:51] - Power to Condemn
[11:04] - Accountability in Teaching
[12:13] - Power to Control
[13:30] - Word Pictures: Horses and Ships
[14:43] - Learning to Close Our Mouths
[17:01] - Digital Communication
[18:22] - Power to Corrupt
[19:39] - The Tongue as a Fire
[20:55] - Taming Animals vs. Taming the Tongue
[22:03] - Life-Giving vs. Life-Corrupting Speech
[23:22] - Letting the Lord Guard Our Mouths
[24:43] - Power to Contradict
[26:03] - Nature's Consistency vs. Human Inconsistency
[27:13] - Real-Life Example
[28:32] - Practical Challenge and Prayer
[29:45] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. James 3:1-12
2. Proverbs 4:23
3. Matthew 12:36-37
#### Observation Questions
1. According to James 3:1, why should not many people become teachers? What is the reason given for this caution? [09:51]
2. How does James illustrate the power of the tongue in verses 3-4? What comparisons does he use? [13:30]
3. What does James say about the tongue's ability to corrupt in verses 5-6? How does he describe its impact? [19:39]
4. In Matthew 12:36-37, what does Jesus say about the accountability of our words? How does this relate to the message in James 3?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does James emphasize the heightened accountability for teachers in James 3:1? How does this apply to leaders in the church today? [09:51]
2. James uses vivid imagery to describe the tongue's power to control and corrupt. How do these images help us understand the significance of our words? [13:30]
3. In what ways can the tongue contradict our faith, according to James 3:9-10? How does this inconsistency affect our witness as Christians? [24:43]
4. Proverbs 4:23 advises us to guard our hearts because everything we do flows from it. How does this connect to the idea that our speech reflects our inner state?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your words had a significant impact, either positively or negatively. How did this experience shape your understanding of the power of the tongue? [01:03]
2. James 3:2 states that anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect. What steps can you take to better control your speech and avoid causing harm with your words? [14:43]
3. The sermon mentioned a threefold test for our words: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? How can you implement this test in your daily conversations? [28:32]
4. Think about a recent conversation where your words may have contradicted your faith. What could you have done differently to ensure your speech aligned with your beliefs? [24:43]
5. Proverbs 4:23 emphasizes guarding our hearts. What practical measures can you take to ensure your heart is in the right place, thereby influencing your speech positively?
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of using our words to praise, encourage, and uplift. Identify one person in your life who needs encouragement. How can you intentionally use your words to uplift them this week? [27:13]
7. Reflect on the prayer suggested in the sermon: "Heavenly Father, today, allow me to say some worthwhile stuff. Nudge me when I've said enough." How can incorporating this prayer into your daily routine help you become more mindful of your speech? [29:45]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Weight of Our Words
Description:
The tongue holds the power to condemn, especially for those in positions of teaching and leadership. James emphasizes that teachers will be judged more strictly because their words can lead others astray. This accountability is not limited to teachers alone but extends to everyone, reminding us that our words have the power to either condemn or acquit us before God. We must approach our speech with reverence and respect, understanding the significant impact our words can have on others. [09:51]
Bible Passage:
"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, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a recent conversation where your words may have had a significant impact. How can you ensure that your future words are more life-giving and less condemning?
### Day 2: Steering the Course of Our Lives
Description:
James uses vivid imagery to illustrate the tongue's power to control, comparing it to a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a ship. Despite its small size, the tongue can steer the course of our lives. An uncontrolled tongue can lead to dangerous situations, much like an untamed horse or a ship without a rudder. The solution is to learn to control our speech, understanding that sometimes the best course of action is to remain silent. [14:43]
Bible Passage:
"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, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider a situation where you felt the urge to speak but chose to remain silent. How did that decision impact the outcome? How can you practice more self-control in your speech?
### Day 3: The Destructive Potential of Words
Description:
James compares the tongue to a small spark that can set a great forest on fire, highlighting its potential to corrupt and contaminate. Our words can spread negativity and poison relationships if not kept in check. The solution is to let the Lord guard our mouths, ensuring that our speech is life-giving rather than life-corrupting. We must be vigilant about the words we speak, understanding their potential to cause significant harm. [19:39]
Bible Passage:
"So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness." (James 3:5-6a, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on a time when your words caused harm to someone. What steps can you take to seek forgiveness and ensure your future words are more constructive?
### Day 4: Consistency in Our Speech
Description:
James points out the inconsistency of using the same tongue to praise God and curse others. This contradiction undermines our faith and witness. We must strive to use our words to praise, encourage, and uplift, ensuring that our speech aligns with our faith and reflects the love of God. Consistency in our speech is crucial for maintaining the integrity of our witness and demonstrating the transformative power of our faith. [24:43]
Bible Passage:
"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." (James 3:9-10, ESV)
Reflection:
Think about a recent instance where your words did not align with your faith. How can you work towards greater consistency in your speech to better reflect God's love?
### Day 5: A Threefold Test for Our Words
Description:
Before speaking, we should run our words through a threefold test: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? This practical approach helps us ensure that our speech is aligned with God's wisdom. Additionally, praying for God's guidance in our conversations can help us avoid saying things that might condemn, control, corrupt, or contradict. By being mindful of our words, we can better reflect the love and wisdom of God in our daily interactions. [28:32]
Bible Passage:
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29, ESV)
Reflection:
Before your next conversation, take a moment to pray and run your words through the threefold test. How does this change the way you approach your interactions with others?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "James would say, if you're going to be a Christian, be a real one. If you're going to do this, do it all the way, 100%. And so we're going to jump into week three of this. I love this. If you missed any of the weeks, you can go back to our Facebook, to our YouTube, and watch those weeks. Pastor Jason had an incredible message last week that we should operate in dynamic faith. That means our belief meets our behavior, and it turns into action. So we don't just want to talk about it, but we want to be about it." (25 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "My goal for us today is that we would use God's wisdom, come on, to govern the words spoken from the tongue. Oh, we need this message. You need this message. Some of us, 2.30, 3 a.m., when we can't sleep, we're looking at the ceiling, and all that we can replay in our mind is the words that have been spoken over us, and so we need God's wisdom to govern the words spoken from our tongue." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Proverbs says that the power of life and death is in the tongue. Some of us are still battling with things that people have said. This is a big deal. I hate that phrase. You know, sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never, that's not true because all of us have that. Whether someone verbally said it, or maybe they wrote something about you. Maybe they sent you an email. Maybe they sent you an angry text. We all deal with this, but man, if we're going to use God's wisdom to govern our words, we have to know this is the power of the tongue." (29 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Is your speech life-giving, or is it life-corrupting? This is what we strive for at the church, and this is an honest question that we have to ask ourselves. I have to ask, is my speech life-giving? Or life-corrupting? I've heard it said often that you'll know you've seen a great movie because when you leave the movie theater, you feel something. Now, that something might be anger. It might be a joy. It might be gladness. It might be pride in something. And whatever it is, you'll feel something. Now, here's my question. Our tongue has this corrupting power, so here's my question. When people leave your presence, what do they feel?" (41 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "For James, what we say actually matters. All over this room, let's bow our heads and I want to pray over us and we'll be done in just a second. But Lord, I pray that you would help us in this area. This isn't necessarily the easiest thing to talk about because, man, we're all guilty. But you can help us. Apart from you, we can't do anything. But with you, man, we can learn to control the words. Lord, set a guard over each and every one of our mouths this week. Help us in this area that we might, glorify you, that we would become mature, as James would say, perfect, able to do what we need to do. Help us in that, I pray." (37 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "I brought something to church, and it's actually something super, super important. It's critical to living each and every day. It's very important. I brought it to church today, and I need you to know that this thing, with it, I can lift people up, and man, I can inspire people. I can do all sorts of things, depending on the platform I have, the stage I have. Man, I can lift people up. I can change a whole nation, a whole people group. Man, I can give hope and life to people with this thing I brought today. Man, I can turn somebody's whole day around. I'm sure with this thing that I brought today, I can turn somebody's whole life around, but here's the crazy thing. I was thinking about it, and also with this thing I brought to church, I could destroy somebody's life. I could take somebody's hope and their life right out in one split second. I can do that." (47 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "James chapter 3. Here's my whole hope. My goal for us today is that we would use God's wisdom, come on, to govern the words spoken from the tongue. Oh, we need this message. You need this message. Some of us, 2.30, 3 a.m., when we can't sleep, we're looking at the ceiling, and all that we can replay in our mind is the words that have been spoken over us, and so we need God's wisdom to govern the words spoken from our tongue. So, here's what I want to do to kick us off. I want to talk just for a moment about acronyms, and so you know what an acronym is. It's like, it's a word, and each letter of the word spells out another word, and usually it's a catchy phrase or something like that." (24 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Your tongue has the power to condemn. So we begin in James chapter three. He says this, that not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged. More strictly. So he begins at the top talking to all of those that teach. And when he says people that teach, that's those that do this for a living, like what we do, or it's even people that remember Sunday school, raise your hand. You remember Sunday school, going to Sunday school and it's people like that, that maybe they're volunteering their time, but they're taking time to open up God's word. It may be you, if you're leading an access group, you are teaching God's word. Dare I say you are speaking on behalf of God." (39 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Your tongue has the power to control. Now, James is going to give us some word pictures to really look at. He says this, when we put bits in the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Everyone say the whole thing. He says we can turn the whole thing or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. So what he's saying is that, that a horse is strong and powerful. And, and I don't know if you've been around horses and I certainly didn't grow up around horses. I mean, look at me. I'm like, I am not a horseman. I'm not a, I don't even know what you're a jockey or I don't know. What's that movie? There was the Toby. It doesn't matter. I don't even, I don't know that. But one thing I do know is if you get kicked by a horse, it's going to hurt, right? They're powerful. And so, but they're controlled by the small bit that's in their mouth. Ships are so large and they can navigate all of the seas and they can do so much, so much powers behind them. Yet they're controlled by just a small rudder." (67 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father. We praise you. We do all of that. And with it, we curse human beings who have been made in God's name. So in other words, I'm singing praise. I'm sorry, I can't sing, but you know, we're singing praise the Lord, and then we get on the Polk Parkway, and we cut somebody out. Come on, I know this is tough. We come here, and we sing praise the Lord. And then we get on the Polk Parkway, and we cut somebody out. We sing all hail King Jesus, but when I get on I-4 going to Orlando, talk to me. He says, this is crazy. With our tongue, we contradict. We curse human beings. When someone doesn't treat us right, they cut us off. They did us dirty. They talk behind my back. I praise on Sunday, but on Monday, you're going to get where you're from and where you need to go to. Come on, this is crazy. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing." (54 seconds)(Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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