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Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd.   P.O. Box #3762   Gillette, WY  82717   (307) 686-1516

 

- Preaching the Living WORD through the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 -

 

 

 

 

TAMING THE TONGUE

 (James 3:7-12)    11-28-12

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

 

I.     MORE ILLUSTRATIONS ON THE TONGUE

 

A.    Tamed Nature (7-8)

1.     James gives more illustrations on controlling the tongue, reflecting on the world of nature.

2.     He drives home the point that “every species” of animals in nature has been tamed to one degree or another. He speaks of “animals” (thêri,on - wild animals, beasts), “birds” (peteino,n - winged birds), “reptiles” (herpeto,n - reptiles and crawling thngs), and “creatures of the sea” (enali,on - fish and marine species).

3.     They all have been tamed (perfect passive - dama, - subdued, tamed, or controlled) and are being tamed (present passive - dama,) by man.

a)    His point however is that the human tongue can be tamed by “no one” (oudeis) (8). That is, no man, in and of himself has the ability to tame the tongue. Such power must come from God. Unfortunately, sometimes Christians, who can avail themselves of God’s power, yield to their sinful nature and the proof is in their speech.

b)    James describes the tongue as a “restless evil.” It is “restless” (akata,statos - unsteady or unruly) in the sense that it is unruly and uncontrollable in what comes out of the mouth. What does come out of the mouth is described as “evil” (kako - bad) in the sense that it is bad to the core.

c)     James also describes the tongue as being full of “deadly poison.” It readily and purposefully hurts and injects poisonous words (Ps 5:9; 10:7; 140:3; cp. Ro 3:13-14).

d)    James was fully aware of what Jesus said in regard to the mouth, “the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Mt 12:34).

e)     James’ readers’ evidenced their bitter and vengeful hearts even though they professed to be believers. This was not in keeping with works that evidenced their saving faith.

B.    Fountain of Water (9-11)

1.     Speaking specifically of his readers (and of all men), James included himself (“we”) concerning sinful speech.

a)    The problem was that “with it” (en autê), the tongue will “bless” (euloge,ō - speak well, praise, bless, Eng. “euology) the Lord and then “with it” (en autê) turn around and curse, speaking evil of men.

b)    We may ask why is that so wrong? After all, some people deserve it, right? James responds by reiterating that when we curse a member of mankind we are cursing God’s creation. Men, as the Bible describes them, are made in the likeness of God.

c)     Do men sin? Sure they do. Is God pleased? Of course not. But did not God create mankind? Are they not in the likeness (homoiōsis - likeness, resemblance) of God (Ge 1:27; Ro 8:29)? Did He not send His Son to die for sinful mankind (Jn 3:16; Ro 5:8)? Obviously, God’s perspective toward mankind is much different than man’s.

d)    Furthermore, it is completely illogical to say we love God but hate His creation (mankind). How can blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth? The Scriptures, through James, tell us that such behavior “ought not” (ou, chrê - verb - ought not or should not) to be the case for believers (“my brethren”).

e)     Though such behavior is common to man, it is sinful to God and foreign to His ways and design.

2.     Fond of poignant illustrations, James uses the imagery of a spring or fountain (pêgê - spring or reservoir of water, i.e. fountain) of water (11).

a)    James rhetorically and logically asks can a spring “send out” (bru,ō - pour or gush out) both “fresh” (gluku,s - sweet or fresh) and “bitter” (pikro,s - sharp, harsh, brackish) water?

b)    The answer is “no” and his point is made. Neither should blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth.

C.    Fig Tree (12)

1.     Next, James uses the illustration of fruit trees. Each fruit tree produces its own kind of fruit and produces no other.

2.     James again asks in rhetorical questions: 1) Is a fig tree able to produce olives? 2) Can a grapevine produce figs? 3) Can salt water produce fresh water?

3.     Of course, James’ readers know the answer is negative in all three cases. But evidently they did not believe the same about the tongue.

4.     On a special note, James is not only fond of illustrations, but he is fond of illustrations about God’s creation. There are at least some 30 illustration from nature (Jm 1:6, 10, 11, 17, 18; 3:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 18; 4:14; 5:2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 17, 18). Not only does this stem from the picturesque Hebrew language, but James understood God’s wisdom and principles are also found in His creation (Jb 12:7-8; Pr 6:6; Ro 1:20).

5.     In addition, there is a great similarity between James’ illustrations and those of Jesus. Jesus used the fig tree on several occasions (Mt 21:19-20; 21:21; 24:32). Jesus’ illustration of fruit trees in Mt 7:15-20 is somewhat of a correlation to James’ topic here. In reference to false teachers, Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” The believer is to be known by his fruit, which is exactly what James has been teaching.

 

II.    OBSERVATIONS ON TAMING THE TONGUE

 

A.    James talks about the believer who must tame his own tongue and describes him as “perfect” or mature in his Christian walk. This assumes that the Lord will enable believers to “tame” their own tongues as one would tame wild animals.

B.    “Self-control” is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit who is working His fruit into the believer. The Christian life is not only doing what God asks us to do, but also controlling ourselves from doing what we should not do (cp. 2Pe 1:6). It is in the area of speech that self-control is so desperately needed (Col 3:8).

C.    However, we must also realize that the mouth speaks out of the abundance of the heart (Mt 12:34). There is “heart-work” to do if before we can do “mouth-work.” How is this accomplished?

1.     By not responding immediately, viscerally, or carnally. We must say “no” to the impulses of our sinful nature (Ro 6:12; Ga 5:19-21).

2.     By understanding that we do not have the right to say anything we want anytime we want (Ep 4:29; Jm 1:19).

3.     By understanding god’s wisdom and perspective on area of life:

a)    Looking at everyone as a creation of God made in His likeness (Ge 9:6).

b)    Looking at everyone as someone for whose sins Christ died (1Jn 2:2).

c)     Looking at everyone as someone who could receive Christ and be used by the Lord (1Jn 2:2).

d)    Looking at everyone as someone who has struggles just like we do (Jm 3:2).

e)     Looking at everyone as an opportunity to fulfill the Great commission and minister (Mt 28:18-20).

4.     By committing to responding in a manner worthy of the fruits of our salvation (Ga 5:22-23; Col 4:6).

5.     By yielding to the Spirit’s power in every area including our speech (Ga 5:25-26).

6.     By renewing our minds and hearts with Scripture so that the overflow will come out of our speech (Ro 12:1-2).