Sermon Text: James 3:1-12
Below is a sermon manuscript from March 9, 2024. Watch the sermon here.
Introduction
What are you teaching my kid? I remember when I first started teaching students about the Bible and a parent reached out to ask what I was teaching. Their child told them what they learned. What the child said was mentioned, but it was a part of a larger point that was not translated to the parent. It’s one of those moments where you realize that your words matter and they can be misunderstood easily. It is part of what prompted me to start manuscripting my lessons so I could let parents know exactly what their kids were being taught, it also helped me understand the importance of clarity. It is true that there will always be times when we are misunderstood, but when the content is important it is important to get it right and to communicate it well. In this section, James is talking about the dangerous task of teaching and how we are to use our words.
Teaching is Dangerous
While this whole section is related to words, James first addresses teachers specifically. Teaching uses words and since words have such a big influence – something that James will address in a bit, he wants his listeners to be aware of the danger of teaching.
Teachers were prevalent and important in the early church. The office of teacher was roughly the equivalent of Rabbi in the Jewish community. And it was ranked highly in Paul’s lists of gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to the church. While prophets conveyed to the community revelations they received from the Lord (1 Cor. 14:30) the teacher expounded the truth of the gospel on the basis of the growing Christian tradition. We see this in 2 Tim 2:2. Teachers among the early church would likely have a certain status and prestige, especially because of their importance with low literacy rates[1].
Since many may have desired to teach, James was warning of the dangers. While we can see this in relation to the office of teacher, it certainly is not contained to the office – or even within teaching Biblical truth. James’ words here have both a narrow and a broad application. Those who teach Biblical doctrine, especially as authorities in the church, are to take these words seriously. But so should anyone who teaches or instructs others. James’ broad point, after all, is that words matter.
Teacher’s words bring greater influence
We might raise our eyebrows at James saying that teachers will be judged with greater strictness. Does that mean that God has degrees by which he judges different groups of people? Well, we see throughout Scripture that God shows no partiality. James point is clear, because teachers use words to influence people they will be held account for their words. Since everyone stumbles, teachers should be aware of the impact their stumbles can cause. Stumble could refer to a mere misstep. Perhaps it’s unintentional or in ignorance. There is a temptation for those who teach to assert themselves as experts in areas they know nothing about. But knowing those words will be held to account should cause us to pause.
There is a special kind of arrogance to say that someone is called to ministry but not be willing to submit oneself to continual learning and growing. Or to using one’s words in a flippant or careless way. Jesus teaches that to those who have been given much, much will be required (Luke 12:48). This is true of possessions, gifts, and of positions of influence like teaching.
Greater influence can lead to more corruption
Just as teachers need to take account of their words because of their influence, they also need to be aware that influence itself can corrupt. Since influence can be a type of power, we might be reminded of the popular quote, “Power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” The out-of-control spiral of those in positions of influence – exercising influence with their words and the words bringing upon themselves more influence should be examined.
Since James may allude again in 3:13 to a certain arrogance among the leaders of the community, we can surmise that the problem actually had arisen among his readers. Too many were seeking the status of teacher without the necessary moral (and perhaps also intellectual) qualifications. Perhaps, indeed, unfit teachers were a major cause of the bitter partisan spirit (cf. 3:13–18), quarreling (4:1), and unkind, critical speech (4:11) that seemed to characterize the community. James therefore begins his admonition about the tongue with a practical illustration of the problem uncontrolled speech can create.[2]
Michael Hyatt, someone who has worked in the publishing industry for years, wrote this,
For more than thirty years, I have worked in the publishing field with Christian leaders, authors, and other creatives. During this time, I have witnessed the corrosive effects of fame. Very few have been able to handle the temptations that come with increased influence.
I have seen leaders get prideful, greedy, and demanding. Sadly, it has increasingly been the norm in a world that values charisma above character.[3]
There is a sense where it is better to have someone crazy boring bring a false message than someone with a lot of charisma. At least one is making the false teaching less attractive by how they are presenting it! Of course, the best is a combination of the two, but when it comes to character, competence, and charisma, character must rule. This is, after all, the main qualifications that Scripture gives for those in authority within a local church.
Words Have Oversized Impact
James goes from the specific idea of teaching to the tongue more generally. In doing so he both backs up the specific application but also broadens the application for every use of our words.
Something Small Can Direct Our Lives
James uses two examples to press home the second big idea in this passage: our tongues have an oversized impact. Like a bit in a horse’s mouth can move the whole thing, words can move and direct ourselves, others, and more. The point is something small is powerful. The same is true for a rudder on a ship. Compared to the ship, it is tiny and might even seem insignificant, yet it moves and directs the whole thing. In the same way, our tongues are a relatively small part of us but can have a tremendous impact and change the course of our life for good or bad.
Think about this for today. Someone saying something they shouldn’t on a social media post from when they were a teenager can haunt them for the rest of their lives. In a more positive way, a positive affirmation about a person’s gifts or abilities can direct them in a positive way.
Some have seen this oversized impact to refer to public teaching of God’s word in a congregation and the church. The tongue as the teacher and the body as the church body. While I think James has more general speech in mind, this is a truth that we see elsewhere in Scripture and one implication of James’ challenge to teachers. Churches can be directed by the pulpit. What is communicated, emphasized, what is central to the teaching is often central to the church.
Tongue References Our Words/Speech and their extension
James uses the word “tongue” to describe our speech. It is not limited to words that we make with our mouth audibly, but it illustrates the larger concept of our communication – specifically with words. Today, our communication looks beyond our speech to one another to how we communicate online, through text messages, and other forms of communication. These forms can also be more dangerous. We don’t get immediate feedback on the impact of our words, for instance. We can also view people – not as people – but as avatars that we are interacting with. It’s easier to dehumanize someone and view them simply as their words instead of seeing their words and an extension of someone who is made in the image of God and worthy of respect.
Whenever technology extends one of our abilities there comes an increased ability for good and bad. As our words reach more people and we can communicate with more people than we come in contact with or have deep relationships with, then we need to take care.
Questions to Ask Yourself
- Are my words gentle, gracious, and tactful?
- Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.[4]”
- It’s not just what we say but how we say it. Think of the kid who rolls their eyes after their parent says “say you’re sorry” and says “I’m sorry.” Their demeanor betrays the content of their words. In the same way, we should strive to match the content and way that we communicate.
- Are my words kind? (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
- It is true that our words sometimes will not be received as kind, that is where the first question needs to come into play. But, even in rebuke, we should seek to season our words with grace. We also need to be aware of our relationship with others when it comes to our words and how they are received.
- Kindness is not the same as flattery. Flattery is self-serving, but kindness is for the good of the other.
- Do my words build up?
- Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.[5]”
- Do we seek to build up with our words. This can be in teaching or it can be in encouragement. While poor use of words can tear others down and bring a kind of death, encouragement can bring life.
- Does it need to be said?
- (Proverbs 17:27-28) Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.[6] Well, it’s just me I tell it how it is. Is that a Biblical virtue or you just making youself feel better for uncontrolled venting. Sometimes we can burden others unnecessarily with our words. They don’t need to know those details. We can also excuse gossip or slander this way.
- On the other hand, there are things that need to be said. The Bible commends speech that courageously undermines sin and heresy (Gal. 2:11-13, 2 Cor. 10:5.) Again, this should be done with wisdom. There can be a time and a place to address these issues as well. But we have to be sensitive to know when the delay of speech is wisdom and when it’s lack of courage.
- Are my words truthful?
- Matthew 5:37 says, 37 Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.[7]
- While sometimes things don’t need to be said, sometimes they do and we can be slippery in our speech. We can obscure the truth. Often the Holy Spirit prompts us to know when we have gone from being wise to being deceptive.
- Do my words promote gospel witness?
- Romans 10:14 says, “How can they hear without a preacher?”
Words Deal Destruction
Words are like uncontrolled fire
This illustration is powerful. Even in recent events, there have been fires that have taken homes and livelihoods here in the United States. What starts off as small spreads and wreaks devastation across an entire area. James uses this to illustrate the raging effect of words. They bring devastation, they wreck lives. Contrary to the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” In actuality, words can ruin someone. Either words they say or words said about them.
Destroys Because of the Source
Why do words create such havoc and devastation? We should look at the source. Evil words are set on fire by hell. They are devilish. Destructive speech is demonic speech. I don’t mean that every time you say something harmful, you are demon-possessed. If you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, that’s not possible, but that speech does reflect the Father of Lies and points forward to future judgment.
In other words, our speech can both reflect Satan and give people a glimpse of hell. Just as encouragement can bring life to someone, negative words can bring a kind of death. They can deflate and suck the life out of someone. As Christians, we are called to image God, but sometimes our speech images Satan.
Using our words for destruction doesn’t make sense for those who belong to Christ
Today we might say “you kiss your mother with that mouth.” It’s a common expression to say how can you be kind to your mom and then have such foul language or comments? James is using a similar expression here, but it’s elevated. He is saying that our worship to God and our behavior toward others can live in contradiction and this shouldn’t happen. How can we come on a Sunday morning, worship God and then say those things about others over lunch on the very same day?
James is not saying that they just need to do more or try harder. He is pointing out that something is amiss if they are behaving this way. It’s a time to examine themselves. To understand that they are living deeply inconsistent lives.
Throughout the book of James one reigning theme is the distinction between division and wholeness. We see double-mindedness earlier in the book and we see a double-tongue here. Christians are those who have trusted in the finished work of God for their salvation. They are those who belong to a new kingdom that is breaking in. We could say it like this, they belong to a new team. They are no longer on the losing team that is opposed to God, but now are part of his team because they belong to Jesus. This means they have new desires, a new heart, a new way of life. Using our words to destroy is behavior that belongs to our old team, not the new one.
What are negative words to avoid?
- Am I using God’s name in vain?
- Exodus 20:7, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.[8]
- Leviticus 19:12 also speaks of swearing falsely by God’s name. Any use of God’s name that lacks reverence, used flippantly, is a misuse of God’s name. This extends further to actions that we do as Christians since we bear God’s name. But it is not limited to that. Slanderous or blasphemous uses of God’s name are included as well. If you say “God told me to do this” and he didn’t, you are taking God’s name in vain.
- Is it dishonest?
- Proverbs 6:17 says that God hates a lying tongue. Our speech should be seasoned with honesty not deception. How often do our words intentionally lead others to the wrong conclusion in a way that makes us others look worse? Did your boss really say it like that or are you embellishing to make the person you’re texting more sympathetic to your side? Are you assuming motivations when you don’t really know?
- Is this foolish boasting?
- Psalms 94:4, “They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast.[9]”
- Am I speaking merely to promote myself?
- Is this intended to ridicule or insult?
- Proverbs 11:12, “Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.[10]” It is true that Scripture uses satire and insult at times. Elijah mocked the false prophets. Paul uses sharp language in his letters. But this must be done within the bounds of wisdom and for the purpose of ultimately building up. Too often the root of this is not love of neighbor but spite or hatred for neighbor.
- Think about the affect of cutting sarcasm that is meant to harm or insult others. We might excuse it as “well, I’m just a sarcastic person.” Or we have so ingrained a pattern of insult that it has become natural to us. The salt water seems to be the norm.
- Is it mere criticism and complaint?
- We see God rebuking the people for their complaining attitude in the wilderness. We also see instruction in Philippians 2 to “Do all things without grumbling or disputing,[11]” This certainly doesn’t mean that there is not a time and a place to disagree or make concerns known. But there is a clear distinction between a critical thinker and healthy critique, someone who has valid objections, and one who has a critical spirit. A critical spirit looks for reasons to be upset and makes sure that others are aware whenever it happens. A critical spirit can’t find any good in an idea or person they disagree with. A critical spirit turns minor things into ultimate things. This is when personal preference becomes King.
- Is it slander?
- Leviticus 19:16 says, “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.[12]”
- Slander damages someone’s reputation. It misrepresents there words. In this way it is related to dishonesty. It could also spring from us assuming things about a situation without being aware of all the facts. Think of people who pile on to the latest social media issue.
- Is it gossip?
- Proverbs 16:28 says, “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.[13]”
- One of the Allegheny area pastors wrote a book on gossip called Resisting Gossip.
- Is it obscene talk?
- Ephesians 5:4, “Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving[14]”Colossians 3:8, “But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.[15]”
- The words we use matter. The apostle Paul rebuked a church for putting up with things that even unbelievers wouldn’t be ok with. This same kind of reasoning extends to our use of speech. Do we say words that we we shouldn’t say in the heat of the moment, anger bringing forth words and revealing our heart.
Concluision
Matthew 12:33-36 says,
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
We are called to do something that no person is able to do. Isn’t this kind of pointless? Is this like saying “you can’t fly but go ahead and fly.” Maybe, but not if you know airplanes exist. If there is something outside of us that makes it possible, then there is nothing defeating about this idea. It’s only difficult if we think we have the innate strength within ourselves. Then we will recoil at the concept. Why would I take a plane when I’m superman! Planes are for lesser, ordinary people. But isn’t that exactly what Jesus taught, he didn’t come for the strong but the weak. He didn’t come for the healthy but the sick. Those who think they are superman will be offended at the gospel which tells us that our only hope is outside of ourselves. But those who recognize their own weakness will run to board the plane knowing that the greatest leap they could ever muster will never get them to their destination. For those who are in Christ we are guaranteed our destination because of his work. We are also equipped with what we need to live faithfully today. We cannot control our tongue, but if we belong to God, then we are a new creation. It is not us who live but Christ in us. Left to ourselves we are gushing salt water, but now – even though there may be some remaining salt, Christ is a fountain of pure water in us. Don’t cling to the remnants of what was, live for the one making all things new.
[1] Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 149.
[2] Douglas J. Moo, The Letter of James, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos, 2000), 149.
[3] As quoted in Daniel Darling, WAY WITH WORDS Using Our Online Conversations for Good. (Nashville, TN: B & H Books, 2020), 77.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 4:6.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 4:29.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 17:27–28.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 5:37.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 20:7.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ps 94:4.
[10] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 11:12.
[11] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 2:14.
[12] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Le 19:16.
[13] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Pr 16:28.
[14] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 5:4.
[15] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Col 3:8.
Boonstra Babble 