Sinclair Ferguson is a Ligonier teaching fellow and Chancellors Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary. (see James 1:4). The image of fire is an archetypea symbol that is recurrent in a "wide variety of works of literature.". However, we must continue to grow in this sanctificationseeking to look more like Christ daily. James 1:26). James, however unbelieving he might have been during Jesus early ministry, has clearly absorbed his half brothers teaching and has been led by it to the multitude of Old Testament word pictures about the power and destructive ability of the tongue. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Used by permission. When we truly understand this, it should encourage us to be sober and wise with our speech. Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Regardless of how we feel, what others say, or our circumstances seem to indicate, we were set free from the bondage of sin on the cross, and therefore, we must fight sin from that reality. Is it true that life and death are in the power of the tongue? Pray for God to anoint our lips to praise and honor God in all circumstances, to speak with wisdom to help others, and to declare Gods truths, including the gospel, with boldness. (a) of persons: powerful, able, (b) of things: possible. 27 Best Bible Verses About the Tongue - Encouraging Scriptures "But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them" ( Matthew 15:10 ). The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious; I turned not backward. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. We bless and do not curse. For this reason he began by addressing the difficulty of taming the tongue. Was this the place to which our Lords body would have been taken were it not for the thoughtfulness of Joseph of Arimathaea? The bit must overcome the power and nature of the horse, and the rudder must overcome the power of the wind and the waves. James tells us the tongue is a fire and sets on fire the course of our life. He or she thinks the unthinkable and speaks unspeakable contradictions. In that light we can discern a profoundly gospel-centered pattern in what James is seeking to accomplish as a pastor of the souls of his readers. Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person Plural. James argues from greater to lesser in verse 2. Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. When we take one step back from James 3:112 and read it in the context of the entire letter, we discover that Jamess searing analysis is surrounded by the most practical counsel to enable us to master the tongue and to speak well for God. Big things come from the tiny tongue. And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. Sermon: The Power of Words - James 3 | Bible Studies for Life Better that, surely, than to be careless with fire and destroy a brother for whom Christ died (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11). Bible Verses to Help in Taming the Tongue. He said, The difference between a gossip and a concerned friend is like the difference between a butcher and a surgeon. When we take another step back and view his words through the wide-angle lens of the biblical gospel, we are able all the more clearly to understand and appreciate what James is doing when he speaks as he does. Both the book of Proverbs and our Lord Jesus spoke with searching clarity about the nature and use of the tongue. Proverbs 18:21 says, Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.. There is a something almost indefinable about the person who has clearly been converted to Christ. Therefore, if we have been saved, our tongues have changed, and in submission to God, we must continue to change them. 5) Resolved: To learn the gospel way of speaking to the poor and the rich. Nobody Jesus excepted has succeeded in mastering the tongue! 13Who is wise and understanding among you? Both cut the flesh, but for different reasons.. We are told in the sacred record that when Job felt himself to be under special pressure in his sufferings (and, unknown to him, under the specific assault of the Devil to destroy his enjoyment of God) he made a covenant with [his] eyes in order thus to bind on his heart the pattern of holiness he needed to develop (see Job 31:1). 2) Resolved: To boast only in my exaltation in Christ or my humiliation in the world. and let them cover themselves with their own confusion" (Psalm 109:28-29). (2) Third illustration. 4) Watch your tongue, for it could be your death or blessing (James 3:8-10). (3) "And the tongue is a fire: that world of iniquity, the tongue, is among our members that which defileth the whole body," etc. The point, however, is the extraordinary power and influence concentrated in one small object. Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural. Are we fighting it? In this way Jamess words exemplify the central purposes of the teaching and preaching of Gods Word. Unfortunately, their ministry became all about seeking the applause and favor of people, instead of the applause and favor of God. 8) Resolved: To never claim a reality I do not experience. The tongue that is under his lordship always shares that tendency. But he is not only, nor is he first of all, an exemplar. As illustrated by the horse (verse 3) As illustrated by ships (verse 4) B. But if we put in filthy music, books, TV, and conversations, that will be reflected in our words as well. I am, exist. In James 1:19, he said, Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. In James 2:12, he said, Speak and act as those who will be judged by a law that gives freedom. In James 3, half the text is about the tongue. Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. 50 Bible verses about The Tongue - Online Bible Application Question: In what ways have you experienced how words spoken over you had a tremendous impact on the direction of your life? A very small fire may kindle a very large forest. That is often the most gracious thing we can do, as long as it is spoken in a loving and wise manner (cf. The victory has been won, so we must claim it and fight until its our reality. Gods holy anger burns against them (5:25). Then people not only hear a different vocabulary, but they hear you speak with a different accent. James 3:5 (NIV) tells us "Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but . So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. In James 1:4, he said, Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. The word mature in James 1:4 is the same as perfect in 3:2. And that list is not exhaustive. Unless otherwise noted, the primary Scriptures used are taken from the NET Bible copyright 1996-2016 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. It is full of poison that kills. Jam 2:14-26). We are not rashly or arrogantly to reprove others; but rather to bridle the tongue, a little member. 7 Men can make all kinds of animals and birds and fish and snakes do what they want them to do. Words are indeed powerful and able to not only direct individuals but even nations for good or bad. . In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Genesis 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man. To boast, be arrogant, vaunt. His five chapters constitute an extended piece of pastoral preaching, laced as it is with words of wisdom and warning. 12:18, "Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing"), but he is also aware of the tongue's death-dealing powers. Verse Concepts. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Start for FREE. So it is with the tongue. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. Philippians 4:8 says, Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. To think on what is true and worthy means to reject what is untrue and unworthy. ), so particularly must the tongue be kept from "evil-speaking, lying, and slandering," and used rightly for the service of God. In 1 Timothy 4:16 (ESV), Paul said, Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. It is that you stop talking. The trouble with the non-Christian is that he goes on talking. that of the Syriac, "The tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity (is the forest)." How nervous about that new silk tie during dinner. In comparison with these, the epistle of St. James is an epistle full of straw, because it contains nothing evangelical. James goes to great extremes to show how evil and uncontrollable the tongue is. For we all stumble in many ways. And when we do, by Gods grace, we speak as those who have first been silenced. Behold! Teachers must be chosen carefully. But with all of this said, James is forced into a confession. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. The world of iniquity ( ). . My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that (James 4:15). Teachers must live consistently. Why does James speak this way? As words that have been formed in Gods mouth are digested as the bread of life by us, they begin to form our thinking, affections, and volitions in a wonderful way. How have you seen this with others? He does so in a series of six woe pronouncements (Isaiah 5:8, 11, 18, 20, 21, 22). Many people have been hurt in the church because of the ungodly words and actions of a person in leadership. Isaiah has been ripping up the consciences of his sinful contemporaries. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content James 3 New International Version Taming the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. Words can consume and destroy a life. Article Images Copyright 2023 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. They can stir up anger or they can soothe the soul. And . For we all stumble in many ways. (Ezekiel 16:50; Zephaniah 3:11; 2 Macc. Get Your Bible Minute in Your Inbox Every Morning. Scripture quotations marked (KJV) are from the King James Version of the Bible. All rights reserved worldwide. . James 3:9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and - Bible Hub (Matthew 12:1920, quoting Isaiah 42:23). From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. All the guilt can be cleansed away! Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. It is only found in these two passages; never in the LXX. Here, as well as in other places, he is completely in harmony with the way the apostle Paul employed all his God-given powers: Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. . We know that a large ship like the Isis could carry one thousand people. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Sanctification in any area of our lives always expresses this double dimension a putting off and a putting on, as it were. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. Some things we shouldnt even mention, and certainly not joke about. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Here, then, are twenty resolutions on the use of the tongue to which the letters teaching gives rise: 1) Resolved: To ask God for wisdom to speak and to do so with a single mind. Therefore, confess your sins to one another (James 5:16). 1 Kings 8:46 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near; 2 Chronicles 6:36 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin? He blurts out fragmentary details of his vision of the Holy One of Israel (the title that hereafter will be his preferred way of describing the Lord). . Let him pray (James 5:13). 13Who among you is wise and understands? . 4) Resolved: To be constantly quick to hear, slow to speak. - Examples of the restless character of the tongue: "With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it too we curse men who are made in his image." In the first clause we should read (, A, B, C, Coptic, Syriac, ff, and some manuscripts of the Vulgate) for (Receptus, with K, L, and Vulgate). The good person out of the good treasury of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasury produces evil, for his mouth speaks from what fills his heart. He said that those who teach will receive a greater judgment (3:1). If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.--If any man: much more one who fain would teach his fellows. The, the definite article. It mimics Satan in this respect, who, having rebelled against the God of peace, can never settle. People naturally think of crimes like pedophilia, murder, or genocide as clearly demonically inspired; however, as mentioned, James says that our tongues can also be inspired by the devil to do tremendous harm. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existenceand is set on fire by hell. James 3:112 contains the single most sustained discussion in the New Testament on the use of the tongue. When he stood before the high priest and the judgment seat of Pontius Pilate, he accepted a sentence of guilt. With that said, James gave these Jewish believers another reason to not wrongly pursue teaching positions. For less than $5/mo. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. How we use our tongues provides clear evidence of where we are spiritually. We should be people who practice honesty, at all costs (cf. Our tongues will begin to demonstrate the Spirits fruits including love, peace, gentleness, and self-control. Because of the evil tendency of our tongues, we must daily live in the Spirit so God can use our tongues for good instead of evil. Small things are often powerful. to err, sin, fail. James 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 6) Resolved: To speak in the consciousness of the final judgment. 2We all make many mistakes. The tongue can be the most powerful, destructive member in the entire body. Darkness and distress will ensue the terrible judgment of the Holy One of Israel (Isaiah 5:2630). No, not. Gods Word sanctifies us. It is sinful and does not rest. : "is set" or "has its place," and so simply "is." Proverbs 21:23 Verse Concepts He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. For figs are not gathered from thorns, nor are grapes picked from brambles (Lk 6:43-44). But like the smoker, so accustomed to the odor, the atmosphere in which they live, the person with polluted speech has little or no sense of it no sense that they exhale bad breath every time they speak. It is a word spoken primarily to bring conviction of sin. As we make our way into James 3:112, we notice it has a variety of basic driving principles. (O) Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Presumably out of both biblical knowledge and personal experience. But when we are brought to see this, stripped bare of our layers of self-deceit, and led to repentance, then God may make something of us. The control of the tongue has both negative and positive aspects. But Jamess message also exemplifies what Paul calls the profitability or usefulness of sacred Scripture: teaching . The devil is a slanderer, and when we speak evil, we participate in his ungodly workssetting fires that injure and destroy. If we ask how this was true in his life, the answer is found in the third Servant Song: The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. 11) Resolved: To never boast in what I will accomplish. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man. From phlox; to cause a blaze, i.e. in faith with no doubting. Start your free trial today. I have seen the King. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. Tongue-mastery is the fruit of self-mastery. He was all talk but no control, all words but without weight. Lloyd-Jones, Romans, Exposition of Chapters 3:204:25, Atonement and Justification, [Banner of Truth, 1970], 19). It is by this means yes, with private study that the Word of God begins to do its own spiritual work in us. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything . All this is part of the grand vision of Isaiahs Servant Songs (so influential in Jesus own reception of Gods Word). He ea More, The Bible Teachers Guide, James: Developing A Faith That Works. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (Z) 18Peacemakers(AA) who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.(AB). Three temptations "to smite with the tongue" are specially powerful of evil: viz., as a relief from passion, as a gratification of spite, as revenge for wrong. And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies. Lo! . Is anyone among you suffering? Too many Christians fall into the trap of believing that God gives regeneration and justification, but then we are essentially left to our own efforts to do the rest. 10Giving thanks and speaking bad words come from the same mouth. Do not lie against the truth. Bible Book List Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content James 3:1-12 New International Version Taming the Tongue 3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. As the doors open at my floor and I step out, someone will occasionally call, You have an accent. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Then, he calls it a restless evil and a deadly poison. When calling it a restless evil, James is saying that the tongue never sleeps, and therefore, we must always be on guard with it. James uses three more metaphors to compare and contrast with the tongueuntamed animals, restless evil, and poison. Wood, fuel. The tongue is small. 1. As is well known, in his early days as a reformer, Martin Luther thought that James was an epistle full of straw: In sum the gospel and the first epistle of St. John, St. Pauls epistles, especially those to the Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians; and St. Peters first epistle, are the books that show Christ to you. Why is there no practical counsel? Therefore, James challenges these believers to consistency. In verses 3-6, he focuses on the tongue's power to corrupt and lead the life astray. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! A primary word; 'whole' or 'all', i.e. To Control the Tongue, We Must Recognize that God Will Judge Our Words, To Control the Tongue, We Must Recognize Its Power to Direct Lives, To Control the Tongue, We Must Recognize Its Destructive Nature, To Control the Tongue, We Must Recognize that It Is Humanly Uncontrollable, To Control the Tongue, We Must Have the Right GoalConsistency. New Life Version (NLV). A form of pipto; to trip, i.e. You need to come, conscious of the sin of your lips, and say: God, be merciful to me, a sinner. PDF THE UNBRIDLED TONGUE JAMES 1:26 JAMES 3:1-12 INTRODUCTION - Clover Sites of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). . If so, what is the proper balance? Re Josh Tongue, I'd love to know if Stokes/McCullum interviewed a number of the young county quicks to get a sense of BazBall "fit". Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV) Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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