The Tongue

Today we discuss a member of the body that is unique in creation. While small, it boasts great things! And it can set great things in motion – for good or evil.

You can play, download, or read the transcript of this Take Note Podcast below.

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James 3, Luke 6

We approach two passages of scripture today regarding the tongue
It is revealed to be unique among God’s creation
Having power far beyond its size
Able to set great things in motion

We find it can be used for good or evil
That it can deceive
But that it eventually reveals our hearts
And sometimes that is not a pretty sight

Today in James and Luke – “The Tongue”

When we cover the category of the tongue from scripture, we could be talking about a few things
Of course it is the content of what we say
It could be the way in which we say it – with less emphasis on content
How often we say something – again, with slightly less emphasis on content
And the timing of our speech – when we choose to say something, positive or negative

We could be dealing with the truthfulness of our speech
Or speech that is harsh or abrasive or foul
Perhaps something we say is true, but does not need to be said – it is out of place or time

All of these potential options should be considered as we begin…

James 3:1-2

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

The passage begins dealing with those who lead and teach
Because they have greater opportunity to speak
Their words are often carry a greater weight
And leaders (teachers) speak with those who trust them
This is why this passage essentially says…

“My brothers and sisters, not many of you should be teachers. I say this because, as you know, we who teach will be judged more strictly than others.”

Some consideration should be given to the control one has of their tongue
Especially when the opportunity to teach is provided

This is because the tongue is an indicator of our self-control (even our spirituality)
Unfortunately we know that none of us measure up, no man is perfect
If any of us were able to control our tongues fully – not offending with our mouths
We would be perfect
And we see why this is the case in a few verses

The limited control we do have is an excellent indicator of our heart-condition
(The second passage of the day makes this clear)
And we can use our words (often) to measure what is happening inside

What is the mouth capable of doing?

James 3:3-4

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Small things determine direction, steering big things
The relatively tiny tongue of man can steer him in one direction or the other
And as with any horse or any ship, they can be directed rightly or wrongly
In the right direction – or the wrong direction
The tongue is the helm
It is the rudder that determines where the ship of life may go
And once it has been turned, things happen – whether we want them to happen or not

We know this to be the case, for how many world events have been triggered by words?
How many leaders have set movements and actions in motions simply by speaking?
How many families have been altered for good or ill by words?

And so we must be cautious…

James 3:5

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Even though the tongue is small, it can do great damage
Words can set real-life calamity in motion
They can start a chain reaction
They can bring about outcomes we never intended (or certainly didn’t anticipate)
The tongue can boast
We can use it to make ourselves and our actions seem noble
Or seem bigger (greater) than they are

These facts should be considered before every mouth is opened – every day
In every conversation, in every situation

There is danger in speaking
Certainly in speaking without thinking
Absolutely in speaking that which is ungodly

Because…

James 3:6

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

There is so much potential for damage in the tongue
We can make people think less of other people
We can undermine authority
We can spread rumors (things that are untrue)
We can discourage people
We can make them question the goodness of God
We can cause doubt, when we ought to reassure
We can accuse others of wrongdoing without the facts
And all manner of other destructive things
(The list could be paragraphs, even pages long)
Everything on the list – hellish
Characteristic, not of God’s character, but of the enemy

We’re beginning to understand why this is a key issue in the Christian life
As this passage goes on…

James 3:7-8

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Unlike wild animals of all sorts
The tongue cannot be tamed
We can get in the pen with wild lions or tigers or bears
We train them to do things we want them to do
This is not the case with the tongue
There is no means for any natural taming on the tongue
It is unruly

The good news is the Spirit of God can give us power to control it
Not to tame it, but to control it
When, not we ourselves, but the Spirit is in charge
We can use the tongue properly

Too often, something else is the case…

James 3:9-10

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

There is hypocrisy in an uncontrolled tongue
We can use it to do mutually exclusive things
Praising God and cursing men are opposites, they cannot coexist
Yet the mouth can do both
Revealing the wickedness inside us

This ought never to be the case
Because…

James 3:11-12

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

The tongue is unique in the natural world
It too often springs forth with bitter water and sweet water
Revealing there is a grave problem with the water source
It reveals something false in us that must be confronted and altered
And only God is powerful enough to do the altering

Let’s look at our passage in Luke…

Luke 6:41

41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?

We must beware the correction of others
For our problems are often far greater than their own
And our vision (as a result) can be fatally obscured
We can be prevented from seeing with any clarity

This passage helps us…

Luke 6:42

42 Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother’s eye.

There can be great hypocrisy in correcting others
(Assuming we have unresolved sin of our own)
Therefore we help not our brother, but hinder him
And damage ourselves

Back to a familiar idea from our passage in James…

Luke 6:43

43 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

The natural world works in a certain way
It cannot be altered

In fact…

Luke 6:44

44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

There is knowledge in the fruit
And men are not unlike trees
Our fruit reveals what kind of tree we really are

And…

Luke 6:45

45 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 the heart his mouth speaketh.

So, where do these good or evil words come from?
Despite our insistence about words we “didn’t mean”
We say words for reasons
And when they are evil words, they come forth of evil
Good words, of good

Realizing this, the critical question arrives…

Luke 6:46

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Why does the mouth speak one thing, the actions revealing another?
Because the mouth can deceive
But it can only deceive so long
Our words will eventually betray the reality

How seriously then, are we taking our words?

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