Jam 3:6-10 Faith that Tames the Tongue
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# Faith that
Tames the Tongue ## James 3:6-10 [Kristina Flour](https://unsplash.com/photos/BcjdbyKWquw "caption") --- # Do my **words**
matter to God? >>> + aren't **actions** more important? + give to charity, yield in traffic, attend church + my **intentions** are noble? --- ## [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? --- [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") --- [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") --- [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") --- ## 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") --- # How have I **tried** and **failed** to **control** my **tongue**? --- ## 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 --- # Does my **pattern**
of speech **differ**
at home, at work, and at church? >>> + integrity / integral --- 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") ---