TAMING THE TONGUE

James 3

 

 

1.  Into our History:

 

     Suggested ice breaker:

             

It has been estimated that on average a person speaks nearly 17,000 words each day.  Jesus once said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36).  What if you had to listen to the words you spoke on a given day, or the 6,205,000 words spoken in a given year, or the 433,160,000 words that we utter in an average lifetime?  The statement by Jesus recorded in the book of Matthew is one that we should heed and never dismiss lightly.  In judgment we will hear our words once again, words that will disclose who we were on the inside.  What will be the pattern woven by the words in your life?

 

·         Will it be a pattern that proclaims to the world “It’s all about me”?

·         Will it be a pattern of complaining and ingratitude?

·         Will it be a pattern that included gossip, slander, or cursing?

·         Or will it be a Godly pattern of encouragement, comfort, mercy, love,

and peace?

 

Remember, words, our words, live far beyond the moment they depart our lips.

 

2.  Into the Bible:

 

“There’s only one thing that travels faster than light -  gossip.”

    

     a.  Read James 3:3-5: 

 

     1.  Summary:  The book of James proclaims that the Christian faith is always  

     characterized by good works. In chapter 3, James gives us warnings and advice

     concerning the good work of bridling our tongue

 

     2.  Questions: 

 

§         Is your faith made evident to others by the words you speak outside of church?  Or, would people find it difficult to discern your faith because of what you say and how you say it?

 

·         James uses the rudder of a ship, the bit of a bridled horse, and the initial spark of a fire as metaphors for what principle?

 

Answer:  The tongue, although a small member of the body, has the power to direct your life for the better or the worst.

 

·         Think back over your life and consider how your tongue has directed it.  Can you think of a time when your tongue benefited the direction of your life, and a time when it hindered it?

 

“He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles” (Proverbs 21:23)

 

·         What does it mean in James 3:6 when he says that our tongue is “set on fire by hell”?

 

Answer:  Satan, for whom hell was originally prepared (Matthew 25:41),  makes special use of the tongue when he tempts us to lie, slander, gossip, or speak in any way that causes destructive and often irreparable harm to another’s reputation or life.

 

·         When do you feel as if your tongue is set on fire by hell?

 

     c. Read James 3:7-8. 

 

1.  Summary: These verses should serve to remind believers of the continued presence of our sin nature and the powerful effect that this nature has on our tongue.  James’ declaration that the tongue is untamable demonstrates that even the “best” Christian will never control his or her tongue perfectly.

 

            2.  Question: Why do you think that man is unable to tame the tongue?

 

3.  Into Our Lives

 

            How might we control the content of our speech?

 

     a. Regulate what comes into our hearts and mind

 

Luke 6:45   45 "The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.

 

Philippians 4:8  8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

 

     b. Regulate what comes out of your mouth

 

Proverbs 10:19  19 When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

 

“Its better for a man to keep silent and be thought a fool, then for him to speak and dispel all doubt.”

 

     c. Pray for God’s help

 

Psalm 141:1-3  O LORD, I call upon You; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to You!  2 May my prayer be counted as incense before You; The lifting up of my hands as the evening offering.  3 Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

 

Isaiah 6:5-7   5 Then I said, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts."  6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs.  7 He touched my mouth with it and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven."