August 27, 2014
WORDS, ACTIONS, AND YOUR HEART
James 3:1–12
Chris Dishman
Central Truth
The words that we say reflect the direction of our lives and greatly impact those around us, either for good or bad.
Key Verse | James 3:4–5
Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. (James 3:4-5)
James 3:1–12
Taming the Tongue
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, 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 things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, 1 3:6 Or wheel of birth and set on fire by hell. 2 3:6 Greek Gehenna 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, 3 3:10 Or brothers and sisters; also verse 12 these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Dive Deeper | James 3:1–12
Mark Twain said, "Actions speak louder than words, but not nearly as often." No question that actions are important, but in reviewing my own life, and reading through James 3, I think it is safe to say that what we do AND say have a lot to do with how we are perceived. This involves more than avoiding the use of specific four-letter words. What we say and how we say it reflects our heart and impacts the people around us. What makes this even more difficult is that our inflection and tone can cloud what we are saying. This can, unfortunately, do a lot of damage.
God instructs us to watch what we say all throughout scripture. Proverbs 18:21a says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." Ephesians 4:29 tells us to use words "for building up." Matthew 12:36 says we will "give account for every careless word [we] speak." If that doesn't send a chill down your spine, then you are not listening to how God is warning us. You are deceiving yourself about the weight of what comes out of your mouth. James 3:2b says, "[I]f anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man . . . ." To date, I know of only one person who has ever lived up to that description: Jesus.
So where does that leave us? I always return to one of my favorite verses in Galatians. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16) This verse always points me back to what I know I need, which is to spend time with God. Abide in His Word, pray continually, and listen to how He is guiding me. When I do those things, I don't gratify nearly as often the desire to say things that I shouldn't. What we say is an overflow of our heart, and getting our hearts right is the first step in impacting the world with what we say.
Discussion Questions
1. How frequently do you ask those in your community about the words you say, how you are saying them, and how your words may impact those around you?
2. How frequently are you reading and meditating on the Word in a way that helps you see where you are failing and drives you to improve yourself by reliance on God?
3. When was the last time you asked forgiveness for something you said to someone that was hurtful and allowed some positive words to repair previous damage?
4. What steps can you take to help improve what you say and how you say it to others so that you can be a light for those that hear you?