Nick Neargarder explores the challenging teachings of James 3 and the power of the tongue, which is especially relevant in light of recent events. Recorded 8/20/17
James 3: Watching Your Speech
Sermon Notes
We are grateful to be in a family where we do what the Bible says. In our continuing study of the book of James, we are reminded in chapter 3 that what we say is important.
In history, what prominent men have said has been important.
John Kennedy: “Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be stronger men.”
Abe Lincoln: “My concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s
side because God is always right.”
Ths. Jefferson: “When angry, count to 10 before you speak; if very angry, count to 100!”
Jms.3:1a We have to be careful what we say. As leaders we have to always watch what we do & say. FYI: The leadership group now includes some of the next generation. John Burk & Bill Gregory have served for several years & now have “retired” from that group.
Verses 2-12 This is strong language! Little things influence big things. What can a tongue do? It can be hurtful & unkind. Words can set fires, corrupt an entire person, etc. This passage makes me realize how careful we must be about what we say. Words cannot be taken back after being said.
Psm. 34:12-13 In order to have good days
39:1 Cover your mouth
64:2-3 Cruel words = deadly arrows
Prov. 6:16-19 What we say can stir up conflict in the community
12:18 Not all bad. Can also heal. We get to control it!
15:4 Which do we say?
Put it to the test. Can you remember something cruel said to you many years ago that you still are plagued by? Alternately, remember something soothing that was said to you & brought you healing.
I can let Satan hurt me or let scripture heal me. What about what we post on social media?
Prov. 10:19 Let the first half sink in. There are times when we want to tell others to just stop talking!
Hold Your Tongue.
Not just say the first thing that comes to your mind. Dee & I used to play a game we called “Bert the Blurt” with our kids. In the game we said the first thing that came to mind & then looked at how it affected others. Words can heal or harm.
We were recently in Alaska with other couples from our family. Everywhere there were signs of what to do when a bear was seen. We were given what to do: don’t run! Of course, most people say you just need to be faster than the other guy with you. At the time, Dee was still wearing her boot so I had to downplay that theory!
Be Slow to Speak.
Jms. 1:19 And quick to listen. Don’t be reactionary but consider what you write or speak. “Did the middle of my sentence interrupt the first of yours?”
Build Others Up.
Ask: Will what I say build up or tear down?
Will my speech benefit the other person?
What are the other person’s needs?
Put a filter on your words.
John 8:8 What does it look like? Jesus paused & did not speak immediately. He was slow to speak. What he did benefited all who heard him: the woman & the people who brought her to him.
I Pet. 2:22-23 Jesus had some tough days on the way to the cross. He was falsely accused & treated unfairly. He had many opportunities to treat them unfairly in return. He trusted God.
He acted wisely even in injustice, he was not reactionary, he was not worldly, he remained God-centered, he trusted God, he shined brightly in the darkness around him. The soldiers saw this & were impacted by what he did not say or do.
Recently, in the news from Charlottesville, Virginia, we have seen how words of hate & words of blame caused injury. Words of compassion & healing have also been said by families of the injured.
We will see injustice because we live in a fallen world. How will we respond? Will we have self-control & have an eternal perspective? Do we pray for the mistreated? May we shine in the dark world we live in & not be caught up in the hatred.
Our target = to be like Jesus who had eternal picture in view, had compassion on those hurt by sin, trusted God through injustice & prayed for those who mistreated him. May we shine like he did.
Hateful speech causes harm in the world. May God give His people speech that heals & soothes. May He give us wisdom to hold our tongues.
