Sermon series: Pressure Points
To be used with: Session Four, The Pressure of Words
Alternate title: A Mighty Power Redeemed
Scriptures: James 3:1-18
Connection to unit theme
Our words are very powerful. Apart from the redeeming work of Christ we will only do harm with our words. We need wisdom from above to use our words wisely. Our words also reveal the state of our hearts.
Introduction
Time and again the Scriptures address the tongue. James devotes an entire chapter to controlling the tongue. When we consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:34 we see why the tongue is given such extensive treatment. How we handle the tongue is a great indicator of our hearts before God. Aesop shares a helpful fable to illustrate this point:
Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion's skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. But the fox, hearing the donkey's voice, said, "If you want to terrify me, you'll have to disguise your bray." Aesop's moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.
Our words give us away. In James 3:1-18 we see that the tongue has power; that it is by nature hypocritical; and that it can only be transformed from above.
I. We must know the power of the tongue (3:1-8)
Most people want to be heard. What better way to be heard as a believer than to be a teacher of the gospel? Yet, James urges us to consider the power of the tongue. We must not be hasty in propelling ourselves into a position where the tongue is constantly used. It is powerful and as such will incur a "stricter judgment."
A. Control the tongue, control the man
James argues from greater to lesser in verse 2. If one can control their tongue then they will be able to control the rest of the body as well.
As illustrated by the horse (verse 3)
As illustrated by ships (verse 4)
B. Big things come from the tiny tongue
As illustrated by a wildfire (verse 5)
Words can build or destroy
Better than anything else the tongue displays the state of our hearts
Humanity alone cannot control the tongue
If James left us here this would be a miserable message: the tongue is a deadly poison that no man can stop. Thankfully, we aren't left to ourselves.
II. We must know the hypocrisy of the tongue
The powerful tongue can be used for great good or great evil. Apart from redemption it will only tear down and destroy. Perhaps better than anything else the tongue reveals the "already" but "not yet" of Christian sanctification.
A. The tongue can worship or curse (verse 9-10a)
B. This hypocrisy should not be the case (verse 10b-12)
James is not saying that they are unbelievers because of their hypocrisy. Note that he says "my brothers"
James is saying that such duplicity is inconsistent with a life redeemed by Christ
Believers ought to be growing more consistent in their speech
III. We must know the source of the tongue's redemption: Redeemed speech only comes from godly wisdom being imparted to us. Worldly wisdom will lead to a tongue infused with bitterness that will show itself through bragging and a denial of truth. Godly wisdom will lead to pure and peaceable speech.
A. Worldly wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic
Shows itself in bitter envy and selfish ambition that is accompanied by bragging and a denial of the truth (v14)
It leads to "disorder and every kind of evil"
This type of wisdom and speech is our default position
B. Godly wisdom comes from above
Characterized by all that is pure and peaceful
It leads to peace
This type of wisdom only comes from God's redeeming grace
The type of wisdom and speech that governs our life displays the work of God in our hearts. Where our speech and wisdom is worldly we see that the earthly, unspiritual, and demonic is the governing authority. Where our speech and wisdom is characterized by purity and peace we see that something "from above" has taken root and is spreading through our lives.
Conclusion
Aesop was correct, our speech and the type of wisdom that governs our lives displays the state of our heart. What does your tongue reveal about your heart? Are you increasingly maturing in your speech? Or do you find your tongue a "restless evil" that you cannot control? Aesop's solution was to control your tongue. James has taught us that apart from Christ, such an exhortation is impossible. Redeemed speech and wisdom only come from the work of the Redeemer. Let us cast ourselves on the mercy of our Redeemer and pray that He will continueHis work of overthrowing the demonic words that occasionally flow from our mouths.