Last Sunday's Outline

"Taming The Tongue is no Small Matter" James 3:1-12 Sunday October 26th

Thesis: The tongue is one of the most underestimated members of the body, yet it is responsible for the most damage.

Taming The Tongue is no Small Matter:

I. We should Never Expect anything less from those in Leadership
verses. 1-2 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.

a. Leaders are/should be held to a higher level of accountability vs. 1a
b. Leaders are/should be expected to demonstrate maturity vs. 1b

II. We should Never Underestimate the Power of the tongue
verses 3-5a 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.

a. The tongue has the power to guide and direct the course of one's life

III. We should Never Underestimate the Potential Damage of the tongue
verses 5b-6 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.

a. The tongue has the potential to damage fast vs. 5b-6a
b. The tongue has the potential to damage far (the whole course of life) vs. 6b

IV. We should Never Underestimate what the tongue Reveals about the Heart
verses 7-12 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.

a. A untamed tongue reveals a un-surrendered heart
b. A untamed tongue reveals a un-repentant heart
c. A untamed tongue reveals a divided heart
d. A untamed tongue reveals a deceitful heart

What is the solution?

1. Repentance
Ez 18:31 Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.

2. Ask God for help daily
Ps. 141:3 Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

3. Think before you speak
James 1:19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.