Sunday Sermon - August 10, 2003

Sunday Sermon

Taming the Tongue

Dave Shaner

August 10, 2003

Introduction: Of all the things that are hard to control, nothing is more difficult than the tongue.

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. - Proverbs 17:27-28

Text: James 3:1-12

Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. Likewise 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. 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. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

I. Description:

A. Understand the significance God ties to the tongue.

1. James addresses the tongue in all five chapters: 1:5, 13, 26; 2:3, 16; 3:1-12; 4:1, 11, 16; 5:9, 12, 13, 14, 16.

2. Proverbs 10:19

When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.

3. Matthew 12:35-37

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. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

4. Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

5. Psalm 15:1-3

A psalm of David. LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman

6. Psalm 6:16-19

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

7. Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

B. The tongue's deeds:

1. It can misdirect my path. - Proverbs 13:3

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.

2. It can disconnect my praise. - James 1:19-20

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

II. Prescription:

A. Consider the source.

1. Matthew 12:34-35

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 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.

2. Ezekiel 36:25-27

I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

B. Surrender to the Spirit of God.

1. The tongue can not be tamed by natural man.

2. The tongue of a regenerate man can be controlled by God.

3. Ephesians 4:29-30

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

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