The Problem of the Tongue
(James 3:13-18)
A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. ~Luke 6:45
The purpose of our church is to “Exalt the Savior, Equip the Saints, Evangelize the Sinner.”
This purpose statement could be reduced down to the individual believer, and to the tongue itself where we could say…The purpose of my tongue is to “Exalt the Savior, Edify the Saints and Evangelize the Sinner.”
“The only person missing from that purpose statement is ME.”
1) Worldly wisdom and words center on self. (James 3:14-16)
Verse 14:
- Bitter envy is wanting what others have for your SELF.
o When you want a friend like everyone else in the group has and become bitter towards those who are excluding you; you find yourself in danger of falling into bitter envy.
o When you want the position of another or the attention another is receiving, you fall in to bitter envy.
- Self-seeking is wanting more, no matter the cost.
o The key to contentment isn’t having what you want, it’s wanting what you have. ~Unknown Author
When you walk the path of bitter envy and self-seeking you will find yourself using people to gain stuff, rather than using stuff to gain people.
Verse 15:
- Earthly- the world preaches, “It’s all about me. It’s all about I. It’s all about #1.”
- Sensual- the flesh lusts for fulfillment.
The lust of the flesh will leave you empty, but the love of the Father will never leave you.
· Demonic- Cf. Genesis 3 and the enemy’s words to Eve.
Verse 16:
Bitter envy and self seeking originate in your heart—so that means in your heart there, when these are there, confusion and evil exists. And when you voice these words of hurt; they infect everyone.
Evil and confusion is contagious; the only one immune to it is God so cry to HIM.
No wonder so many Christians doubt their salvation; their hearts and their mouths aren’t lining up.
2) Godly wisdom and words center on others. (3:13, 17-18)
Verse 17:
Allow this verse to be the litmus test of all your words:
· Pure- motives and motions are unmixed
· Peaceable- seek unity
· Gentle- Cf. Philippian 4:5
· Willing to yield- not compromise on truth; check pride for this one
· Full of mercy and good fruits- Cf. Galatians 5
· Without partiality and without hypocrisy
o She is stealing my attention, I’ll slander her reputation
o He is cute, I will talk to him; he isn’t cute, I’ll stay away
Verse 18:
Do your words produce righteous living in the life of others?
Godly wisdom and words are rooted in and centered on Christ. Verse 17 is possible only when the Holy Spirit is present in a person’s life. Isaiah 64:4-9 makes it clear, human righteousness is as filthy rags.
Yet 2 Corinthians 5:21 tells us that God…
…made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
If you do not know Jesus as your personal LORD and Savior, there is no hope for you to please God with the words of your mouth.
While on the outside all seems well,
In the inside alls a living hell.
Driven by the desire to gain more,
Never really considering what is in store.
Running through life and living on action,
Neglecting the heart, the more important fraction.
That makes up our life and shows whose we are,
Mouth speaking nearness, heart standing afar.
This is why we must never, never neglect;
The often petition for God, our heart to fully inspect.
To search our hearts for things we cannot see,
That hinder us from surrendering to Him completely.
Is your heart clean, are you ready to stand before His throne,
If not, surrender today, and trust in Him alone.
Proverbs on the Tongue