True Religion - Week Three: Out of Both Sides Of Our Mouths

Today, we will continue the sermon series "True Religion: Lessons for the Church from James." 

The book of James contains a lot of wisdom for the Church on how to be the Church and also digs down into how those of us who are part of the Church can live our lives in ways that embody the Kingdom of God.  

Simply put, James offers guidelines on how to answer this question: 

How Do We Define What It Means To Be A Christian?

This series on the Book of James will serve as a guide to the essentials of being a Jesus follower in our current culture.  

Today: Learning To Control Our Speech 

As we will discover, and it's probably not a surprise, nothing can tear apart our witness as Christians like the things we say.  

But first, some quotes make you want to say, “Huh?”

‘If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.’ – Yogi Berra

‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.’ – Yogi Berra

‘Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.’ – Yogi Berra

‘I never said most of the things I said.’ – Yogi Berra

“I’m not offended by blonde jokes because I know I’m not dumb…and I also know that I’m not blonde.” —Dolly Parton

Don't ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone for any reason, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you've been... ever, for any reason whatsoever... Michael Scott, The Office 

The Science behind our inner monologue (or lack thereof)

“Verbal disinhibition” or simply “disinhibition.” Disinhibition is saying or acting impulsively without considering the potentially damaging or embarrassing consequences of the words or deeds. Disinhibition may result from a brain injury, intoxication, mental illness, or mere stupidity." 

“But I didn’t mean to say that…”  We often try to disassociate ourselves from what we say when we say something hurtful, idiotic, etc.  

The fact of the matter is that we did think what we said came from somewhere.  

The passage we’re studying in James today is all about taming our tongues. 

TRUE RELIGION SPEAKS LIFE, NOT DEATH

James 3:1-12

This passage names those who teach (evidence of false teachers). 

However, its lessons are universal—inside/outside coherence. 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will face stricter judgment. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is mature, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 

3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.

James’ analogies about control - there’s a metaphor here and also the truth. 

How great a forest is set ablaze by a such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of life, and is itself set on fire by hell.[b] 

7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless[c] evil, full of deadly poison. 

9 With it we bless the Lord[d] and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.

Can opposites co-exist in the same stream of speech?  Sources say no. 

James infers here that life and death cannot co-exist in the same speech, we are either speaking one or the other.  

A brief detour about murderous thoughts and speech from Jesus.  

21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:21-22)

Questions We Need To Ask 

1. Is what I’m about to say helpful, constructive, and life-giving?

2. Am I being curious or judgmental?

3. How can I speak the truth but do it in love?

    THINK - True, Helpful, Inspiring, Necessary, and Kind

Words are powerful—they can kill and destroy or bring life and restoration. 

TRUE RELIGION SPEAKS LIFE, NOT DEATH