James 3:1-12
Series: The Letter of James
1. The tongue is small but disproportionately powerful:
3 When we bridle horses and put bits in their mouths to lead them wherever we want, we can control their whole bodies.
The tongue is a spiritual meter.
The tongue is a Directional
4 Consider ships: They are so large that strong winds are needed to drive them. But pilots direct their ships wherever they want with a little rudder.
The tongue is a spark
5 In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire.
2. How To Tame Our Tongues: (PAUSE — PONDER — PRAY)
Pause
19 Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry. — James 1:19 (CEB)
“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26-27 (NIV).
Ponder
2 We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. — James 3:2
THINK Filter —
T – is it True? 16 Do not testify falsely against your neighbor. — Exodus 20:16 (9th commandment)
H – is it Helpful? 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up (Inspiring) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. — EPH 4:29
I – is it Inspiring?
N – is it Necessary?
K – is it Kind? “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” — Ephesians 4:32
Pray
8 No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. — James 3:8
3 Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep close watch over the door that is my lips. — Psalm 141:3 (CEB)
Speak Blessings
9 With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come from the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, it just shouldn’t be this way! 11 Both fresh water and salt water DON’T come from the same spring, do they? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Can a grapevine produce figs? Of course not, and fresh water doesn’t flow from a saltwater spring either.