1Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or 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. 5Likewise 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. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11Can both fresh water and salt[
a] water flow from the same spring? 12My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.Taming Tiger Tongue:
I. TRIALS OF TAMING TIGER TONGUE:
It can be very pleasant one time. Another time it can be very vicious. One time it can be very warm and loving, causing the recipient to feel very much loved and appreciated. Another time it can be cruel, vicious and its outflow can feel like the victim's heart is being ripped out of his or her chest! What is it? It is the smallest member of our bodies. It is our tongues. It is amazing as to how such a little bitsy thing like the human tongue can have such a profound effect on others, for better or for worse.
When considering the power of it, it reminds me of an old song where the words are, "I've got a tiger by the tail it's plain to see…" So maybe we should call it "Tiger Tongue?" I dare say that there isn't one single person within the sound of my voice, including myself, or anyone reading this either on my web site or in another publication who can honestly say that they've always had total control of what comes out of "Tiger Tongue." Even with the best of intentions, we simply don't always say what we should. We're going to explore "Taming Tiger Tongue" in this lesson.
For the Christian, we know that what we are in the depths of our hearts is revealed in our outward actions and conversation. That's scary. It is often more revealing than any of us care to consider. James deals with issues that involve our heart attitudes. As Christians, We catch James' sincere concern for a practical, victorious and right relationship between ourselves and our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, as well as our daily interaction and relationships with one another.
As such, as we trust the Holy Spirit to enable and empower us for victorious life and service, our attitudes involve far more than mere endurance. Our heart attitudes lead us to triumph in word, thought and deed. As I've often pointed out, God is a very warm and loving heavenly Father. It is true that He is a just and righteous God and we are to give Him utmost respect and reverence which is rightly due Him.
We also need to realize that He deeply loves you and me. After all, we are His kids. He is our heavenly Father. As such, He wants His very best for His kids. That's you and me. This is a great source of encouragement for each of us, no matter how far off that we may have strayed or whatever extreme actions that we've taken or how terrible that our conversation has gone with its damaging results. As long as there is breath, and our hearts still beat, there is hope for whoever will sincerely reach out to Him for Whom He truly is. He is willing to abide within us in His saving and sanctifying fullness!
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
First, James addresses the serious responsibility of teachers [1]. Often, believers are eager to step out and take positions of authority as pastors, teachers, evangelists, Sunday school teachers, home fellowship Bible study leaders, and so on. James stresses the seriousness of the responsibility that goes along with a position of authority.
We are on display constantly. People are taking to heart what we say, in respect to our authority and position. So it is extremely important that whatever we share is rooted and grounded as truth from God's Word, the Bible. We have to be so careful that whatever we share with others is not taken out of context. That is one reason why I am personally so fond of expository teaching and preaching, doing a lot of series preaching and teaching. As such, we are guiding and influencing people for better or for worse, depending on the accuracy of what we are sharing. So, with greater privileges comes greater responsibility.
James addresses the seriousness of this issue simply stating that not a one of us are faultless [2]. At our best, we often fall short of God's best for us. Even with the best of intentions, we know deep within our hearts we can always do better. As we are set apart (sanctified), we are being made into the image of His likeness. We often make tremendous strides. We enjoy precious new experiences as well as growth. Yet even at our best, we have lots of room for improvement. Thus there is absolutely no room for false pride.
This is a strong argument to walk in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. This is a strong case for total commitment, yielding ourselves openly and honestly to the searchlight of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to fill us, to mold us, to shape us into what He wants us to be. And we need to be on our guard constantly, in word, thought and daily actions. Our speech reflects our inner spiritual condition. So we need to make those commitments that are so crucial to yield our own will to the will of our heavenly Father. We need to allow Jesus Christ, His Son, to dwell in our hearts and to have control of our hearts, our lives, and yes, our words. We find victory by allowing the Holy Spirit to fill us in His saving and sanctifying fullness as only He can do.
Our desire should be as seen in Psalm 19:14,
"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Also, we should yearn to walk and talk as is emphasized in Psalm 15, where we read, "[1] Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? [2] He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart [3] and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman, [4] who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts, [5] who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken." That's what we want, - a right relationship that cannot be shaken.
Questions For Reflection and Direction:
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. 5Likewise 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 person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
In the first two verses, James discussion regarding Christian speech in view of the responsibilities of teachers is emphasized. Then he goes on to include say,
"If any man, [2]" widening the application of his teaching to include all Christians.In Matthew 12:33-37, as He addressed the Pharisees, Jesus said,
"[33]Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. [34] You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. [35] The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. [36] But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. [37] For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."The one who is careful in what he says pleases God. Why? Because one's conversation often reveals what one's spiritual condition is. We know that only God knows one's heart, but we also know that the Bible teaches us that we shall know a person, for better or for worse, by the fruits of their lifestyle, including what comes out of one's mouth. That is simply because one's speech is a reflection of what's in one's heart.
James uses three very striking illustrations to emphasize the power of the tongue. It is a very small part of the body. Yet its influence is very big. The size of the instrument is not a true measure of the significance of our words. The first two illustrations emphasize the positive values of controlled speech. The bits in a horses' mouth [3] are small things. But by using the bit, which literally controls the tongue of the horse, we guide the animal and accomplish our purposes. The helm (ruder) of a ship is very small in comparison to the ship. However, by controlling the rudder the pilot, or captain, is able to guide the ship safely through many dangers to its destination.
In both of these illustrations, James shows that some very small things can produce very significant results. It is the same with our conversation. Phillips comments, "The human tongue is physically small, but what tremendous effects it can boast of!" Even though the effects of speech are often out of proportion to the size of the tongue, these effects may be wholesome and constructive. Control is the key. Such control is a decisive action that is the distinct responsibility of the Christian.
The tragedies of the untamed tongue are seen in the next illustration. James third illustration describes a fire out of control. A tiny spark can set quickly spread into a major fire, creating lots of damage. Here in the southwest part of the United States, we live in a dryer climate than other parts of the country. So when a forest fire starts, it is crucial that the fire fighters gain control of it quickly. If a fire is not contained quickly it can burn up literally thousands of acres.
James uses this picture to contrast the size of the cause and the extent of the effect, emphasizes the tragic results of uncontrolled speech. Note the seriousness of James wording as he stated,
The picture given here of a major fire that results from the original spark illustrates the negative side of improper conversation. James now describes the wicked tongue. As such, the fiery tongue's heat is a destructive fire! It defiles.
You and I do not exist as separate entities. What we do and what we say effects others around us. Again, the tongue is as a flame of fire. It is set on fire by hell, itself, and can turn one's life into a blazing flame of destruction and disaster. It has the effect of a devouring fire raging out of control.
James also comments as to how wild beasts of many kinds have been tamed and controlled. As such, they are often utilized for mankind's good. However, even with best of intentions, man cannot control the tongue, and, when left unchecked, it spreads evil influences. No matter how we might try, self-control is not enough. Only the Holy Spirit's indwelling empowerment can enable us to be victorious in this area. We cannot do it on our own yet we can be totally victorious when we live totally yielded hearts and lives to the Lord.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
How many times are we aware of those who praise the Lord while gossiping and slandering others. On one hand, they praise. On the other hand, they speak improperly against other, including fellow-professing Christians. James rebukes such ones! As such, a double-talking tongue is simply not acceptable for the Christian. It is as unnatural as a fresh-and-salt water spring. You can one or the other, but not both in the same spring.
So James knows that there is a solution to this unnatural condition and this moral confusion. It is found "in the wisdom that is from above [verse #17]. It is found in the freedom from double-mindedness that comes when a man asks "in faith, nothing wavering" [1:1-5].
James spoke the truth when he stated that no man can tame his own tongue - but God can do it! So what is the answer? According to our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, He says,
"Cleanse first that which is within… that the outside may be clean also [Matthew 23:26]." When the inner life is cleansed and controlled by the Holy Spirit, the Christian's speech can be controlled and disciplined in ways that are pleasing to God. The tongue, unruly as it may be, is confined to one's mouth, and God can give grace to close the cage when it ought to be closed!Questions For Reflection and Direction:
As you pray today:
[1] How do these illustrations, as given in today's Word, speak to you?
[2] What action do you intend to take regarding control of your own conversation?
[3] How can you influence others to utilize speech that is beyond reproach?
Please note:
You are welcome to share this Bible study in your local churches, but I suggest that you personalize it. You do not have permission to publicize it or to make money from it in any form. May God richly bless you as you minister for Him with rich spiritual rewards of seeing many souls saved and sanctified for all eternity! Please let me know whatever helpful results you may get from this!
With Warm Sincerity in Jesus’ Love,
Rev. Don Schink, Pastor-Evangelist
Sonlight Ministries
Tijeras, NM
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