Speak Life!

Speak Life!

James 3:1-12

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ 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.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ 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 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

One of the common topics of wisdom literature is the importance of speaking correctly. Our words are important to God and others and they have a big impact on ourselves. James has already waded into this topic four times!

Be slow to speak

1:19 ¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

 

Keep your words carefully regulated

1: ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Speech and action judged by God

2: ¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

Words and actions need to be in alignment!

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?

 

1. Words and Warnings

 

1. Teaching requires the use of many words

And those words come with deadlines at times. People aren’t       always happy with: “I don’t know.”

Proverbs 10: ¹⁹ When there are many words, wrongdoing is         unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalms 19: ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation         of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my   Redeemer.

 

1. Teaching creates isolation
2. I am up here, you are out there

 

2. I am paid to speak

 

3. My words are given more weight

 

4. Teachers are viewed in a different ethical light. When teachers have normal problems that seems strange to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s secular or sacred, there is an expectation of living an example.

 

1. Teachers have special judgement
2. They are not the only ones. But with reference to their         words, their accountability is high. This is because words                     are powerful, and what people believe has a huge impact                  on them. There are things that God wants you to know. And              so He has spoken. We are to speak what is true.

 

2. If others trust you and you harm them, that is a problem

 

3. Humility should be the result in the teacher. That or else         you are obligated to be right all of the time.

I don’t know anyone who is right all of the time. And I want                 you to know that I believe you are responsible to be like the                Bereans!

 

I don’t mind people challenging what I say. But our                             standard is Scripture!

 

1. Negative Potential of the Tongue

 

1. Your words carry tremendous potential

Parent to child. Friend to friend. Manager to employee.

 

 

1. Your words set direction

When you speak out in response to life’s circumstances, you        express your understanding of reality. Our words reinforce what       we think and believe. And if we are feeling incorrectly, then our       words are damaging to us!

We do not always feel correctly. What we know to be true needs to regulate how we respond to circumstances. Our words reflect       whether or not this is occurring.

Complaining vs. Being Thankful

Rejoice always, In everything give thanks, Pray without ceasing   for this is the will of God for you.

Phil 4: ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,        whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—    think about such things.

 

1. Your words reflect your heart

        Understanding of the world.

Understanding of others.

Understanding of what is right true and good.

What do you value? What do you expect?

 

III. Manage Your Heart Issues

You have two springs within you. Sow to the Spirit and you will reap life! V.9-12

1. Tame the impulse to speak

Why do you want to say what you are saying?

Gossip: Proverbs 18: ⁸ The words of a gossip are like                          choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Slander: is not true.

Complaining:

                Arguing:

                Attacking:

Words can give life! Proverbs 18: ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Do not speak what does not give life!

Words can heal! Proverbs 12: ¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Recognize that not all words that are spoken to you or about you are really meant or meaningful. Some words are just reactionary and reflect what is going on inside of someone else!

Ecclesiastes 7: ²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
²² for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

 

1. Do not give up working on this

        Matthew 12: 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 the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. You need to respect your words!

 

1. Focus on speaking what is good

Colossians 3: ¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5: ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

I Thes 5: ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

James 3:1-12

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

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. ⁵ 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. ⁶ 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.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ 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 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

One of the common topics of wisdom literature is the importance of speaking correctly. Our words are important to God and others and they have a big impact on ourselves. James has already waded into this topic four times!

Be slow to speak

1:19 ¹⁹ My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

 

Keep your words carefully regulated

1: ²⁶ Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Speech and action judged by God

2: ¹² Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

Words and actions need to be in alignment!

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?

 

1. Words and Warnings

 

1. Teaching requires the use of many words

And those words come with deadlines at times. People aren’t       always happy with: “I don’t know.”

Proverbs 10: ¹⁹ When there are many words, wrongdoing is         unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalms 19: ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation         of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my   Redeemer.

 

1. Teaching creates isolation
2. I am up here, you are out there

 

2. I am paid to speak

 

3. My words are given more weight

 

4. Teachers are viewed in a different ethical light. When teachers have normal problems that seems strange to us. It doesn’t matter if it’s secular or sacred, there is an expectation of living an example.

 

1. Teachers have special judgement
2. They are not the only ones. But with reference to their         words, their accountability is high. This is because words                     are powerful, and what people believe has a huge impact                  on them. There are things that God wants you to know. And              so He has spoken. We are to speak what is true.

 

2. If others trust you and you harm them, that is a problem

 

3. Humility should be the result in the teacher. That or else         you are obligated to be right all of the time.

I don’t know anyone who is right all of the time. And I want                 you to know that I believe you are responsible to be like the                Bereans!

 

I don’t mind people challenging what I say. But our                             standard is Scripture!

 

1. Negative Potential of the Tongue

 

1. Your words carry tremendous potential

Parent to child. Friend to friend. Manager to employee.

 

 

1. Your words set direction

When you speak out in response to life’s circumstances, you        express your understanding of reality. Our words reinforce what       we think and believe. And if we are feeling incorrectly, then our       words are damaging to us!

We do not always feel correctly. What we know to be true needs to regulate how we respond to circumstances. Our words reflect       whether or not this is occurring.

Complaining vs. Being Thankful

Rejoice always, In everything give thanks, Pray without ceasing   for this is the will of God for you.

Phil 4: ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,        whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—    think about such things.

 

1. Your words reflect your heart

        Understanding of the world.

Understanding of others.

Understanding of what is right true and good.

What do you value? What do you expect?

 

III. Manage Your Heart Issues

You have two springs within you. Sow to the Spirit and you will reap life! V.9-12

1. Tame the impulse to speak

Why do you want to say what you are saying?

Gossip: Proverbs 18: ⁸ The words of a gossip are like                          choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts.

Slander: is not true.

Complaining:

                Arguing:

                Attacking:

Words can give life! Proverbs 18: ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Do not speak what does not give life!

Words can heal! Proverbs 12: ¹⁸ The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Recognize that not all words that are spoken to you or about you are really meant or meaningful. Some words are just reactionary and reflect what is going on inside of someone else!

Ecclesiastes 7: ²¹ Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
²² for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.

 

1. Do not give up working on this

        Matthew 12: 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 the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

 

The tongue is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. You need to respect your words!

 

1. Focus on speaking what is good

Colossians 3: ¹Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ 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. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. ³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 5: ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

I Thes 5: ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.