JEWELS FROM JAMES #8

PUT OUT THE FIRE!

Confederate General Robert E. Lee was once asked what he thought of a fellow officer in the Confederate Army - an officer who had made some mean-spirited remarks about him. General Lee thought for moment, then said the officer was very satisfactory. The person who had asked the question seemed troubled; "But General, I guess you don't know what he has been saying about you." "Oh yes," answered Lee. "I know. But I was asked my opinion of him, not his opinion of me."

During World War I, enemy spies used to hang around the British pubs to hear loose talk about naval ship movements. Sailors would talk about their next assignments, where they were going, when they were shipping out---vital information for the German submarines. Just a few careless words would tip the enemy off and thousands of lives could easily be lost. A slogan was raised to remind the sailors of the terrible devastation that could result from ill spoken words, "LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS". The problem of careless talk was so great that the government put up posters every-where to curb those "loose lips".

In the Scriptures we find the Apostle James teaches us about that same problem of "loose lips" or controlling the tongue, which is one of life's greatest challenges! He had more to say about the human tongue than any other of the Biblical writers; more in the Book of James about this subject than in any other Book in the Bible. This fact is not a coincidence as James was all about "practical Christian living." The point of this blog is to see the emphasis that James made in showing that a focal point of Christian discipleship is indeed controlling the tongue! Note his first exhortation about the human tongue: "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless" (James 1:26). The phrase "bridle his tongue" is very descriptive. In the third chapter of his book, James uses six metaphors to describe the power of the human tongue. Here they are:

1) A bit placed in the mouth of a horse.

2) The rudder steering a ship.

3) A raging fire.

4) A wild, ferocious, deadly animal.

5) A fountain of water.

6) A fig tree.

A few of the lessons taught through these six metaphors are: The tongue is a small member of our body, but not inconsequential, "it only takes a spark to get a fire burning", the person who does not stumble in what he says is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body (James 3:2), the tongue is very, very dangerous - it is like a raging fire that sets on fire the very course of our life and originates as a fire by hell, it can speak good things as well as bitter things, and as a healthy fig tree, the tongue should consistently produce good fruit.

James began this section with a serious warning to fellow Christians and to church leaders. He said, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment" (James 3:1). Why would he say that? Because teaching is done by verbal communication. So they must be careful about their speech and it's content. The greater our responsibility, the greater is our accountability.

James aluded to three TRAITS OF THE TONGUE! First, the tongue is very small but it is very powerful! ". . .the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things" (James 3:5). It expresses pride - "boasts of great things" and it is not prone to express humility. Second, the tongue is small, but it is very dangerous! "And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell" (James 3:6). ". . .it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Third, the tongue is small, but it is very revealing! "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way" (James 3:9-10). Jesus said, "But I tell you that every careless word what people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37). Jesus went on to describe the revealing aspect of the tongue, "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man" (Matthew 15:11). Again, He said, "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man" (Matthew 15:18). The sinfulness of the inner spirit/heart of a person is revealed by what comes out of that person's mouth! Every time we speak, we let both men and God look into our hearts and minds.

James and other Scriptures disclose the need for and the principles involved in TAMING THE TONGUE! This is a huge challenge. According to James, "no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). But there are principles we can and must follow to bring our tongue into submission, since we are going to be held accountable for the words we speak!

First, we must guard against an unruly, undisciplined tongue! We can learn to control our tongue much like we control the direction a horse takes by placing a bit in its mouth, or by having a rudder to guide our ship. That bit, that rudder, for the follower of Jesus, is allowing the presence, help and control of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God (James 1:5-8) to set this guard and protection over our mouths.

Second, our responsibility as followers of Jesus is to nurture a disciplined and wholesome tongue! As a fountain, we should be sending out only fresh water (James 3:11). And as a healthy fig tree, our mouths must yield healthy fruit (James 3:12). James offered us principles of quality and practical "speech therapy"! We are to "be quick to listen, slow to speak" (James 1:19). I am quite sure James would say, LEAD WITH YOUR EARS AND FOLLOW WITH YOUR TONGUE! We all probably need to rethink our "Freedom Of Speech"! The wise King Solomon said, "When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver. . . ." (Proverbs 10:19-20).

Third, James exhorted us to keep a tight rein on our tongue! James said, "bridle the tongue" (James 1:26). Seek to keep from tripping because of an unbridled tongue (James 3:2). "Be slow to speak". True faith purposes to keep the tongue bridled or controlled. Again, Solomon said, "He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23) "A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). The word "soft" here does not mean weakness or timid; rather it means "gentle", "tender-hearted", or "kindly"! Soft, gentle and truthful answers hurt far less than harsh ones.

Fourth, James reminded us later in his letter to refuse to tear other people down! "Do not speak against one another, brethren" (James 4:11). "Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. . . ." (James 5:9) Encouragement strengthens more than criticism. The Prophet Isaiah said, "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of disciples, That I may know how to sustain (strengthen) the weary with a word" (Isaiah 50:4). Confronting the erring person personally in the spirit of love and humility is right (Galatians 6:1-2 and Matthew 18:15-17), but talking behind their back is sin. "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you" (Luke 6:31). The Apostle Paul wrote, "Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6).

Fifth, speak only what you know is absolutely true! "but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment" (James 5:12). ". . .speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ" (Ephesians 4:15). You know, assumptions are a form of judgment! Making assumptions will get us into trouble every time! Hear-say is gossip; back-biting is sin, un-constructive criticism is judgmental and all of it is contrary to God's nature, desire and and His will for us!

Sixth, pray for God's help and wisdom in taming the tongue! It is only by God's grace, help and through His wisdom that we will be fruitful in controlling our tongue! Therefore, I urge you to practice these three Biblical prayers daily :

1) The Prayer of Purpose: "You have tried my heart; You have visited me by night; You have tested me and You find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress" (Psalm 17:3).

2) The Prayer for Purging/Cleansing: "Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins; Let them not rule over me; Then I will be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgresson. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer" (Psalm 19:12-14).

3) The Prayer for Protection: "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips" (Psalm 141:3).

I believe that God could well be calling us to pray these very prayers in light of what James taught about "Putting Out The Fire" of our tongue. Will you join me in prayer?