James (Part 9) Control What You Say
By: Ben Fronczek
James 3:1-12
I believe that one of man’s most powerful possessions are not the bombs we’ve developed, not our guns or battle ships, stealth flyers, nor any other implements of war. Rather I believe the most powerful thing that we possess are the words we speak from our mouth. Words spoken have not only sparked wars that led to thousands and thousands of deaths, the right words spoken also have led people to achieve amazing goals; from great physical feats to landing a spacecraft and walking on the moon.
Our words are powerful. They can create or destroy. They can encourage us to reach new heights, or plunges us into such a depressed state that some commit suicide or even harm others.
God’s words are super powerful. He spoke words and all creation was created, and He created us in His own image… with power in our words as well. So in today’s lesson from James chapter 3 we’ll see where James encourages us as Christians to keep a tight rein on, or control our tongue or the words that come out of our mouth.
Read James 3:1-12.
James 3:1-12 (NIV) “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
I wonder if there were issues in James’s home growing up, or if his parents coming from a humble background taught their children to be careful about what they said. Earlier in this letter James wrote in 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,”
And here in this chapter I believe that he is emphasizing that when we do speak, we need to control our tongue.
In verse 3, he talks about putting a bit in a horse’s mouth. Why? Because when the rider pulls on that bit it presses down on the horse’s mouth and tongue and he can control that 1000 pound beast. It says, “3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.”
Verse 7 says that, “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” To tame a beast here means to “changed from the wild or savage state; or to domesticate.”
We may not be able to tame our tongue like we tame an animal, but I believe with the Lord’s help we can bridle it, or control it just like a rider can control a powerful horse.
In verse 4, James also talks about how a boat, or even a big ship is controlled or steered. The pilot steers or controls that ship like a rider turns a horse with the use of a small rudder. I believe this text is emphasizing more of how the rider or the pilot can control the boat or the beast than it is about a little bit, or small rudder. As the pilot of our own body we likewise need to control our tongue just like the pilot and rider take control and steer their ride in the right direction.
David wrote in Psalm 39:1, “I said, “I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth while in the presence of the wicked.”
James knew like David that there are times when we need to get what we say under control, we need to bridle or muzzle it, because what we say can do some real damage just like a spark igniting and forest fire. In vss 5 & 6 James writes, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
I’ll never forget the time when I was a teen when fire swept through part of my parent’s property. My parent’s farm adjoined another farm at the rear, and beyond that farm was a road. Apparently someone flicked a cigarette butt out of their car window and it landed in some dry pasture grass. Well with the help of a breeze it wasn’t too long before the sparks in the cigarette became a small flame and before long it began to consume a huge dry hay field. Well flames swept across that big field in no time and then entered my parent’s property which was part field and part forest. Before the firemen could put a stop to the fire that fire not only burned a couple huge fields of grass, it also burned off 20-25 acres s of my parents land. And it all started because someone could not take proper care of a lit cigarette butt.
Likewise, loose, unbridled words you say and just thrown out not only can get you in trouble, they may also hurt or destroy someone else. I believe we are being encouraged to never under estimate the power of what we say.
As a matter of fact James even makes a point to warn those who want to teach or instruct others; because teachers will be judged more strictly. Before and as I prepare my lessons each week, I not only pray every day for God’s help, guidance, and wisdom as I prepare them, I also spend a lot of time researching the facts so I can be as accurate as possible when I present the lessons. Why? Because I know that I am responsible and will be held accountable for what I teach you.
…..No teacher should take this responsibility lightly.
As a matter of fact all of us should be careful of what we say to others.
So what about you? Do you have this problem. When you angry or upset do you rattle off all kinds of harsh and sometimes hurtful words. Do they just flow out of your mouth in frustration? Do you respond so quick that you don’t even know what you are going to say until it is already out of your mouth? And then after you said those words do you regret you ever said them.
James is instructing you to take control of that tongue of yours and what you say. And how do you do that?
Well the first bit of advice he gave in Chapter one is a good place to start. Rather than blasting people with our words, he said that we should first of all be ‘Quick to listen’, (in other words really take the time to listen to the other person, or get the whole story before you blast them.) He then instructed us to be ‘Slow to Speak’(In other words wait, maybe even think about what you are going to say before you say it.)And finally he adds that we should also be ‘Slow to get angry.’ Why? Because we all know the kind of words that come out of our mouth when we are angry.
Solomon wrote: “Reckless words are like a sword.” Proverbs 12:18 ….What do swords do? Wound or kill.
He also wrote: “He who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19 25:11 says,“Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.”
Your words if delivered in the right setting and at just the right time can be a treasure.
So are you still unsure how to get your mouth under control? In James chapter 1 he gives even more good advise. He writes, “5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
If you want to get your mouth and what you say under control ask God to help you get it under control. In a situation be QUICK to listen, SLOW to speak, SLOW to get angry, and pray that God will give you wisdom.
David said to God, “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight.” Psalm 19:14
James wrote, “10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”
Take control of the reins. Take control of the rudder. And for God’s sake take control of your tongue. And I would also like to recommend that as much as possible we should season what we have to say with Love.
If you decide to control your tongue you can do it. It may take practice, determinations, and a lot of pray, but remember, you can do all things thru Christ who gives us strength.
Let the power that is in your words bring Glory to Lord.
In Proverbs Solomon wrote, “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” (10:11a)
And In (18:4) “Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.” And like cool clean water such word of wisdom are refreshing.
David asks an interesting question in Psalm 15 and then answers it. Listen to what he says:“Who may worship in your sanctuary,Lord? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?” And here’s his answer…
2 Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts.3 Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends.”
From this day forward, like James I am encouraging you to control what comes out of your mouth. Those words you speak have tremendous power, maybe more than you realize. And so I encourage you to use those words and that power to do good, encourage others and bring Glory to your Father in Heaven.
