Jam 3:6-10 Faith that Tames the Tongue

# Faith that Tames the Tongue
## James 3:6-10

[Kristina Flour](https://unsplash.com/photos/BcjdbyKWquw "caption")

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# Do my **words** matter to God?

>>>
+ aren't **actions** more important?
  + give to charity, yield in traffic, attend church
+ my **intentions** are noble?

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## [James](#/outline "ref"): **Keep the Faith**
+ Stands the **Test** [(1:2-12)](# "ref")
+ Demands a **Change** of Heart [(1:19-25)](# "ref")
+ Loves **Impartially** [(2:5-9)](# "ref")
+ **Acts** [(2:15-24)](# "ref")
+ Tames the **Tongue** [(3:6-10)](# "ref")

[Plattenkogel, Austria. Lukas Budimaier](https://unsplash.com/photos/6cY-FvMlmkQ "caption")

>>>
2:16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?

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[6](# "ref")
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**.

[James 3:6 (NIV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")

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[7](# "ref")
All kinds of **animals**, birds, 
reptiles and sea creatures 
are being **tamed** 
and have been tamed by mankind,

[8](# "ref")
but **no** human being can **tame the tongue**. 
It is a **restless evil**, full of **deadly poison**.

[James 3:7-8 (NIV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

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[9](# "ref")
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](# "ref")
Out of the **same** mouth 
come **praise** and **cursing**. 
My brothers and sisters, this **should not be**.

[James 3:9-10 (NIV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

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## Faith that Tames the Tongue [James 3a](# "ref")
1. **Course** [(v3-6)](# "ref")
2. **Control** [(v7-8)](# "ref")
3. **Cleanliness** [(v9-10)](# "ref")

>>>
+ (1) critical **importance** of watching our speech
  + affects **course** of life
  + kind of **person** I become
+ (2) overwhelming **challenge**
  + Not easily **controlled**
+ (3) honest **assessment** of self
  + words reflect **heart**
  + Pursue **holiness**, integrity

---

When we put **bits** 
into the mouths of **horses** 
to make them **obey** us,

we can **turn** the whole animal.

[James 3:3 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Violeta Pencheva](https://unsplash.com/photos/12dXKDujs40 "caption")

>>>
+ (1) horse, (2) ship, (3) forest
+ contrast **size**/strength of horse
  + with apparent **insig** of bit
+ **steering**: direction, course
+ **submission**: control, power
  + "obey": persuade, **trust**, believe

---

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.

[James 3:4 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Ludolf Bakhuizen, ~1690](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ludolf_Bakhuizen_-_Ships_Running_Aground_in_a_Storm_-_WGA01131.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ strong winds: **hard**, unyielding, stubborn
  + driven: propelled, force
+ wants: the **impulse** of the guide **desires**
+ **steering**: led/turned around
+ **submission**: will of the pilot

---

Consider what a great **forest** 
is set on **fire** by a small **spark**.

[James 3:5 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Estreito da Calheta, Portugal. Michael Held](https://unsplash.com/photos/Of-NXuECJbE "caption")

>>>
+ "such a fire" kindles "such a forest"
  + of this **size**, greatness
+ e.g., BC summer forest fires
+ **consumes** entire forest
+ what took **years** to grow
  + consumed in **minutes**

---

The **tongue** also is a **fire**, 
a **world of evil** among the parts of the body.

[James 3:6 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Gulf of Mexico. NASA](https://unsplash.com/photos/Q1p7bh3SHj8 "caption")

>>>
+ *world* (ὁ κόσμος): **totality**, complete ordering
  + every *unrighteousness* can be **expressed** through tongue
+ not **exclusive** to tongue
  + e.g., **eyes**, finger, hands
  + but **especially** tongue
  + **stands**: established
+ represents **speech**: me'to-ny-my
  + **body** holy, created by God
  + how we **use** it: world of evil

---

It **corrupts** the whole body,

[James 3:6 (NIV)](# "ref")
[© 2009 Gunnar Grimnes, CC-BY 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/gromgull/3375802661 "caption")

>>>
+ *corrupter* (ἡ σπιλοῦσα): spot, stain
  + that which **spoils** all the body
+ all **else** could be holy, but
  + **one** unholy utterance, and
+ **focus** on the stain
  + like white **tablecloth** with wine spot
+ **scandals**, e.g., Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey
  + don't think we are above it
+ e.g. pastor quietly semi-retired

---

sets the whole **course** of one’s life on fire, 
and is itself set on fire by **hell**.

[James 3:6 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Peter John Maridable](https://unsplash.com/photos/C2a4RGapd8s "caption")

>>>
+ *course of life* (τὸν τροχὸν τῆς γενέσεως):
  + **wheel**, run: sequence / pattern
+ *on fire* (φλογίζουσα): inflame, arouse
  + c.f. v5 *kindle*
  + easily **angered**, chip
+ **hell** (τῆς γεέννης): valley of **Hinnom**
  + trash/bodies **burned**

---

A **gentle answer** turns away wrath, 
but a **harsh word** stirs up anger.

[Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not that **other's** anger
  + is my **fault**,
+ but **power** in one soft answer

---

# Do I believe my **words** can affect the **course** of my life?

>>>

---

## Faith that Tames the Tongue [James 3a](# "ref")
1. Course [(v6)](# "ref")
2. **Control** [(v7-8)](# "ref")
3. Cleanliness [(v9-10)](# "ref")

---

All kinds of **animals**, birds, 
reptiles and sea creatures 
are being **tamed** 
and have been tamed by **mankind**,

[8](# "ref")
but **no** human being can tame the **tongue**.

[James 3:7-8 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Flängan, Norberg.  Adam Morse](https://unsplash.com/photos/M7fi58_dF5k "caption")

>>>
+ *tame*: **subdue**, master, control
+ *animals*: wild **beasts**, brutes
+ *by mankind*: (bend) to the **nature** of man
+ *the tongue*, on the other hand:
  + **contrast** animals vs our speech

---

He who is **slow** to anger 
is better than the **mighty**,

And he who rules his **spirit**, 
than he who captures a **city**.

[Proverbs 16:32 (NASB)](# "ref")
[Ben White](https://unsplash.com/photos/qYanN54gIrI "caption")

>>>
+ often **unaware** of own speech
+ e.g., wife gently **reminds**
  + when get **sarcastic** with kid

---

It is a **restless evil**, full of **deadly poison**.

[James 3:8 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Tainan City, Taiwan.  Boris Smokrovic](https://unsplash.com/photos/bPldxRHkTzw "caption")

>>>
+ *restless* (ἀκατάστατον): contrary to **standing** firm
  + unrestrainable, **uncontrollable**
+ *poison*: as of snake **venom** (Rom3:13)
  + **rust**: corrosion (Jam5:3)
+ *deadly*: **brings** / carries death
+ So if tongue that **bad**,
  + just keep **silent**?

---

For out of the abundance of the **heart** 
the **mouth** speaks.

[35](# "ref")
The good **person** out of his good **treasure** 
brings forth **good**, 
and the evil **person** out of his evil **treasure** 
brings forth **evil**.

[Matthew 12:34-35 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")
[Aaron Burden](https://unsplash.com/photos/y02jEX_B0O0 "caption")

>>>
+ insinuated Jesus used **demon** to cast out demon
+ can't just **bottle** up inside
  + outwardly **polite**
  + inwardly **resentful**
+ heart **stores** up (treasures)
  + then **overflows** into speech
  + brings forth: **throws** out
+ e.g., capable **wife**, resentful **hubby**:
  + snipes at her in **other** areas: driving, looks, etc.

---

[36](# "ref")
I tell you, on the day of **judgment** 
people will give **account** 
for every **careless word** they speak,

[37](# "ref")
for by your words you will be **justified**, 
and by your words you will be **condemned**.

[Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ careless: **useless**, without work
  + doesn't **achieve** anything
+ justified: deemed **righteous**
  + Abram **believed** God (Gen 15:6)
+ condemned: pronounce **guilty**, pass sentence
  + deemed **unrighteous**

---

Everyone should be quick to **listen**, 
slow to **speak** and slow to become **angry**

[James 1:19 (NIV)](# "ref")

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# How have I **tried** and **failed** to **control** my **tongue**?

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## Faith that Tames the Tongue [James 3a](# "ref")
1. Course [(v3-6)](# "ref")
2. Control [(v7-8)](# "ref")
3. **Cleanliness** [(v9-10)](# "ref")

>>>
---

With the tongue we **praise** 
our Lord and Father,

[James 3:9 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Los Angeles. Edwin Andrade](https://unsplash.com/photos/6liebVeAfrY "caption")

>>>
+ *praise* (εὐλογοῦμεν): **bless**, good word

---

and with it we **curse** human beings, 
who have been made in God’s **likeness**.

[James 3:9 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *curse* (καταρώμεθα): pronounce as **evil**

---

Out of the **same** mouth 
come **praise** and **cursing**.

My brothers and sisters, this **should not be**.

[James 3:10 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Litchfield National Park, Australia.  Andy Fitzsimon](https://unsplash.com/photos/w8g2vws1VBQ "caption")

>>>
+ v11: fresh + salty/bitter water
+ sister when small: crying, then pose for photo
+ yelling at family, then answer phone sweetly
+ mom pinch ear: embarrassed in public
+ can't argue in the mall

---

What comes **out** of a person 
is what defiles them.

[21](# "ref")
For it is from **within**, out of a person’s **heart**, 
that **evil** thoughts come —

sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 
greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, 
envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

[Mark 7:20-21 (NIV)](# "ref")
[Kevin Sequeira](https://stocksnap.io/photo/CB8PFQR6E9 "caption")

>>>
+ not eating **food** that defiles
+ but **speech** from overflow of heart
+ have I stored up evil **thoughts**?
  + lust, covet, hatred, pride
+ **integrity**: one whole person

---

Anyone who is never at **fault** 
in what they **say**

is **perfect**, 
able to keep their whole body **in check**.

[James 3:2 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ lead by the **bridle** (as horse)

---

But the wisdom from **above** is first **pure**, 
then **peaceable**, gentle, open to reason, ...

[James 3:17 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ solution: rely on **Christ**
  + to give us His **wisdom**
+ next time, ch3b

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# Does my **pattern** of speech **differ** at home, at work, and at church?

>>>
+ integrity / integral

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Anyone who is never at **fault** 
in what they **say**

is **perfect**, 
able to keep their whole body **in check**.

[James 3:2 (NIV)](# "ref")

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