|
|
|
- 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,zō - subdued,
tamed, or controlled) and are being tamed (present passive - dama,zō)
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). |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
