1. I read about a man that worked in the produce department of a grocery store. One day a lady asked if she could have a half-a-head of lettuce. He replied, “Half-a-head? Are you serious? God grows full heads and that is how we sell them.” The lady said, “You mean that after all the years I’ve shopped here, you will not sell me half-a-head of lettuce?” The man said, “Look, if you like I’ll ask the manager.” The lady said she would appreciate that, so the man marched to the front of the store and manager’s office. 

2. He said to the manager, “You won’t believe this, but there’s a lame-brain idiot of a lady that wants to know if she can buy half-a-head of lettuce.” About that time he noticed that the lady was standing behind him. Quickly he added, “And this nice lady was wondering if she could buy the other half.”

3. Later that day, the manager said to the man, “That was the best example of thinking on your feet I have ever seen. Where did you learn that?” He replied, “I grew up in Grand Rapids and if you know anything about Grand Rapids, you know that it’s known for its great hockey teams and its ugly women.” The manager’s face flushed and he interrupted, “My wife is from Grand Rapids.” Without batting an eye, the man asked, “And which hockey team did she play for?

4. I think about a preacher whose doorbell rang and when he looked out the window he saw a certain member, Mrs. Anderson, standing at the door. He said to his wife, “Honey, will you please answer the door. I have had enough of sister Anderson’s gossip. I’m going into my study to work on my sermon.” About two hours later he shouted from his study, “Honey, has that old bore left yet?” His wife answered, “Yes, dear, she left some time ago, but sister Anderson is here now!”

5. I am reminded that sometimes what we say can get us into trouble. As we continue our study of the Book of James, we see that James speaks to us about the tongue. We find that he speaks of the trouble our tongue can get us in and the trouble the tongue can cause.

6. In a little English cemetery there is a tombstone that reads:

Beneath this stone, a lump of clay
Lies Arabella Young
Who on the twenty-fourth of May
Began to hold her tongue

7. We find that James speaks to us about controlling the tongue. Since the tongue is in a wet place and has a tendency to slip, James devotes a large section of his letter to the subject that is in everyone’s mouth—the tongue.

8. If you recall in our past studies, James has already had something to say about the tongue. James said in 1:19, “ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” We are to be quick to hear but slow in what we say.

9. He also said in 1:6, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”  He tells us that the person who does not bridle his tongue, his or her religion is useless.

10. Also in 2:12 we read, “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”  We are to guard both our walk and talk in light of future judgment.

11. Now we come to a lengthy discussion of the tongue. Let’s look at these twelve verses and consider what James has to say about the tongue. First we see:

1. The Revelation Of A Controlled Tongue!

1. James begins his discussion of the tongue addressing his words to primarily teachers. He says in verse 1, “My brethren, be not many masters.” The word “masters” speaks of teachers. Words and speech are important to a teacher. They are the means by which truth is communicated. Therefore it is understandable that when talking about the tongue, James speaks directly to those who use the tongue.

2. The importance of a proper use of the tongue is conveyed in the words of verse 1, “knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.”  When James refers to teachers, he is speaking to those who are teachers of God’s Word. The task of teaching God’s Word is a great responsibility, but with it comes a great accountability.

3. James tells us that teachers are held to a high standard and will face a stricter judgment. The reason being, what they say exerts influence over others. Therefore it is important that a teacher of God’s Word be faithful to the Word, influencing people for the good and not to the bad.

4. Whereas, his words are addressed primarily to teachers, they are not limited to teachers. He begins verse 2 by saying, “For in many things we offend all.”  The word, “offend” means to “stumble.” What James is saying is that in many ways all of us stumble.  We all stumble and fail the Lord. We stumble and fail the Lord in many ways. By reminding us that we all stumble, he is telling us that what he has to say about the tongue is not limited to teachers, but includes every believer.

5. As he begins his section dealing with the tongue, he tells us that the tongue is very revealing. When you go to the doctor he will ask you to stick out your tongue. He can learn certain things by just looking at the tongue. The tongue is very revealing. Justin Martyr said, “By examining the tongue of a patient, physicians find out the diseases of the body. Philosophers find out the diseases of the mind, and Christians find out the diseases of the soul.”

6. In verse 2 James describes a controlled tongue. He speaks of those who “offend not in word.” He tells us that the controlled tongue is very revealing. What does the controlled tongue reveal? First we see that it reveals:

A. Spiritual Maturity

1. We read in verse 2, “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” The word “perfect” does not speak of being without sin or failure. He has just said that we all stumble. The word speaks of spiritual maturity. He is telling us that our tongue reveals whether we are spiritually mature or not.

2. Paul called the believers at Corinth spiritual babies (1 Cor. 3:1) They had been saved for a period of time, but had never grown in the Lord. They were still spiritually immature. One of the indications that we are growing in grace is our ability to control the tongue. It is a mark of spiritual growth and maturity.

3. There are always those who gossip and talk about others. R. G. LeTourneau was for many years an outstanding Christian businessman—heading a company that manufactured large earthmoving equipment. He once remarked, “We used to make a scraper known as ‘Model G.’ One day somebody asked our salesman what the ‘G’ stood for. The man, who was pretty quick on the trigger, immediately replied, “I’ll tell you. The ‘G’ stands for gossip because like a talebearer this machine moves a lot of dirt and moves it fast!”

4. I have known and know of those who move a lot of dirt on people and move it fast. If you want to know the lowdown on someone or something, just ask them. They are like the woman who was known for gossiping that came to the altar one Sunday and told the preacher she wanted to lay her tongue on the altar. He said to her, “That will be good. Here’s 40 foot of altar. Lay as much of it as you can on the altar.”

5. The Bible says such a person is spiritually immature. A spiritually mature person does not gossip. They do not go around talking about other people. They have their tongue under control. A controlled tongue reveals one’s spiritual maturity. There are people who say speaking in tongues is the mark of spiritual maturity. James tells us that controlling the tongue is the mark of spiritual maturity.

5. Secondly, we see that the tongue reveals:

B. Spiritual Mastery

1. James concludes verse 2 by saying that the person who does not offend in word is, “able also to bridle the whole body.” This person is not only able to control the tongue but the rest of the body as well.

2. Someone has said that our bodies can be a wonderful servant but a terrible master. Many people are controlled by what their bodies want and desire. We yield to temptation because we let our bodies (our flesh) rule us. But a mature person makes their body their servant and refuses to allow it to be their master.

3. For example, its Sunday morning and the clock goes off. The body says, “Stay in bed.” If you let the body be your master, you will stay in bed and miss Church. On the other hand, if the body is your servant, you will ignore what the body says, get up, and go to Church. Spiritually immature people let the body tell them what to do. Spiritually mature people tell the body what they want to do.

4. A controlled tongue not only reveals our spiritual maturity but mastery as well. What does your tongue say about you? Your tongue not only says things about other people, but it also says something about you as well.

5. The second thing I want you to notice that James says about the tongue is:

2. The Results Of A Corrupt Tongue!

1. James is a master at illustrating. An illustration is a window that allows light in on a subject. Beginning in verse 4, James uses several illustrations to shed light on the subject of the tongue. The illustrations that he uses illustrate that the tongue can be used for both good and bad. Notice first that he illustrates:

A. The Beneficial Use Of The Tongue

1. We read in verses 3- 4, “Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.”

2. First he uses the illustration of the reins of a horse (Vs.3). You have a big horse, but it is controlled by a small piece of metal in its mouth. By the reins and the bit in the horse’s mouth, one controls what the horses does and where it goes.

3. Secondly he uses the illustration of the rudder of a ship (Vs.4). You have a large sailing vessel that is moved along by the wind, yet it the direction of the ship is controlled by a small rudder. The ship can even find itself in fierce winds, yet by the rudder the governor (pilot) can control where he wants the ship to go and bring it to safety.

4. In each case, the bit is used for the benefit of the rider and the rudder is used for the benefit of the pilot. James says in verse 5, “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.”  Likewise, the tongue is a small member but it can be very beneficial.

5. One can think of many ways in which the tongue is beneficial. Take the teachers James spoke of in verse 1. They can benefit others by what they say and teach. The tongue can be the instrument by which words of love can be spoken to the lonely. It can be an instrument by which words of comfort can be spoken to the brokenhearted. It can be an instrument by which words of encouragement can be spoken to the discouraged. It is the instrument by which words of direction can be given to the confused. Think of the many that have been saved because of the words someone shared with them.

6. The tongue can be very beneficial, but it also can be very detrimental. Notice secondly:

B. The Bad Use Of The Tongue

1. James says in verse 5, “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!”  The tongue is a small member, yet like a bit or rudder it can greatly beneficial, or like a little fire, it can be greatly destructive.

2. I think of the great Chicago fire of 1871. The fire reportedly began when a cow kicked over a lantern in Mrs. O’Leary’s barn. The fire that started in O’Leary’s barn turned into one of the most terrible disasters in the history of United States? The blaze started on a warm, dry Sunday evening, and at first the O’Leary’s and their neighbors tried to put it out themselves. But after about ten minutes had gone by, one of the neighbors finally ran for the nearest alarm box, about three blocks away, and called the fire department. It took several more minutes for the horse-drawn fire equipment to arrive, and by then a swift wind had begun to blow, causing the fire to spread. The damage was unbelievable. More than 300 people lost their lives and 18,000 buildings (worth about $200 million) were destroyed. One whole section of the city, four miles long and a mile wide, was completely flattened.

4. A controlled tongue can bring much help but a corrupt tongue can bring much hurt. James illustrates the potential destruction that the tongue can bring in verse 6, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”

5. First he speaks of how the tongue can pollute. He describes the tongue as a fire and a world of iniquity. The usage of the word “world” suggests the vastness and variety of the tongues evil pollution. Whereas the tongue can help in many ways, it can also hurt in many ways. It can be like a world of iniquity. It can be used in many evil and sinful ways.

6. We have seen how the mature person body is controlled; now we see how the immature person’s body is contaminated. James says that the tongue can defile the whole body. The whole of a person’s life can be polluted and defiled by the tongue.

7. The phrase, “the course of nature” is literally, “the wheel of man’s nature.” The wheel was the ancient symbol of the cycle of life. James is telling us the whole cycle of our life can be defiled by an improper use of the tongue.

8. Furthermore he adds, that the tongue is “set on fire of hell.” Hell is a synonym of Satan. Our tongues can become an instrument of the devil. If the devil is using us in anyway, you can be sure that our life is defiled and polluted.

9. If I can put it in simple words, James is telling us the gossiper is a dirty, defiled, and desecrated person. Do you find yourself talking about other people? Do you spread rumors and gossip about others? The Bible says you are polluted. It doesn’t matter how spiritual you act or think you are a gossiper is dirty person being used of the devil.

10. He also speaks of how the tongue can poison. We read in verse 7-8, “For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

11. James describes how man has been able to tame various animals, but fails to tame his own tongue. He describes the untamed tongue as an “unruly evil.” The word “unruly” speaks of a lack of stability. It is liable to break out at any time and when it does it is full of deadly poison.

12. The tongue can be like a deadly dose of poison. It only takes a few drops (few words) to destroy someone’s name and reputation. Mountain climbers will tell you that it only takes a whisper to start and avalanche. One word can smear a character and destroy the usefulness of a person’s life.

13. In 1899 four newspaper reporters from Denver, Colorado met by chance in a Denver railway station. Their names were Al Stevens, Jack Tournay, John Lewis, and Hal Wilshare. They represented the four Denver newspapers: the Post, the Times, the Republican, and the Rocky Mountain News. Each had been sent by their respective newspaper to dig up a story for the Sunday editions. All four were facing empty-handed return trips to their editors.

14. Al said he was going to make up a story and turn it in. The other three laughed. One suggested they walk over to the Oxford Hotel and have a beer. They did and during their time together, Jack said he liked Al’s idea about faking a story. They all decided to come up with a story that would really get people’s attention. They decided that a story from foreign angles would be harder to verify, so they decided to do a story about China. John said, “Try this one on: Group of American engineers, stopping over in Denver en route to China. The Chinese government is making plans to demolish the Great Wall; our engineers are bidding on the job.”

15. Harold was a bit skeptical. Why destroy the Great Wall of China? John thought for a moment. “I’ve got it. They are tearing down the ancient boundary to symbolize international goodwill to welcome foreign trade.” By 11:00 P.M. the four reporters had worked the details of their story. After leaving the Oxford Bar they walked over to the Windsor Hotel and signed four fictitious names in the hotel register. They instructed the desk clerk to tell anyone who asked that four New Yorkers had been interviewed by reporters and had left the next morning for California.

16. The Denver newspapers ran the story. Front page. The Times headline read, “Great Chinese Wall Doomed! Peking Seeks World Trade.” Their story was picked up and expanded by newspapers throughout the U.S. and then by newspapers abroad. When the Chinese learned the Americans were sending a demolition crew to tear down their national monument they were outraged. Particularly upset, were the members of a secret society, a volatile group of Chinese patriots who were already wary of foreign intervention. Inspired by the story they exploded, rampaged against the foreign embassies in Peking, and slaughtered hundreds of missionaries. In two months, 12,000 troops from six countries joined forces, invaded China with the purpose of protecting their own countrymen. The bloodshed that followed, sparked by a journalistic hoax invented in a Denver barroom, became the white-hot conflagration known as the Boxer Rebellion.

17. The tongue has the power to destroy. It can help or hurt. It can pollute and poison. Finally notice with me:

3. The Rebuke Of A Contradictory Tongue!

1.  James closes his discussion of the tongue by describing one who both blesses and blasts with their words. Notice:

A. An Inconsistent Use Of The Tongue

1. We read in verse 9-10, “Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.”  James describes someone blessing God one minute and the next minute they are cursing their brother, which is made after the likeness of God. One minute they are lifting up God and the next minute tearing down others.

2. I once read a story about Winston Churchill and a woman named Lady Astor. They both disliked each other. Because of their social standing, they often found themselves together at various events. On one occasion they were seated next to each other. Lady Astor said to Churchill, “Sir, if you were my husband, I would put poison in your coffee..” Churchill replied, “Lady, if you were my wife, I would gladly drink it.”

3. On another occasion Lady Astor walked into an elevator that Churchill was on. It was obvious that he had a little too much to drink. Lady Astor said, “Ah hah! You are drunk!” Churchill said, “Yes, and you are ugly.” Then he said, “But tomorrow I’ll be sober and you will still be ugly.”

4. There can be a little of Churchill and Lady Astor in all us. We can praise God at one moment and then tear someone day the next. But notice what James has to say about this duplicitous use of the tongue.

B. An Improper Use Of The Tongue

1. He says very plainly in verse 10, “My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” The words are a strong negative meaning that such use of the tongue should never be true about us.

2. Once again he uses illustrations to drive home his point. We read in verses 11-12, “Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. “

3. He asks, “Does a fountain produce both sweet and bitter water at the same time? Does the fig tree produce olives or the vines figs? Does a fountain yield both salt and fresh water? The answer is obviously no. If not, how can the same mouth bless and blast at the same time?

4. In summary, James is ending up where he started. A mature person controls his or her tongue. They will not bless God one moment and curse someone the next. That would be an improper use of the tongue, a use that is rebuked and condemned by God.

5. In closing let me point out a statement in verse 8, “But the tongue no man can tame.” He is not saying the tongue cannot be tamed. He described someone with a tamed tongue in verse 2. What he is saying is that man cannot tame the tongue himself. The Lord must help him tame the tongue. As one grows spiritually, by the help of the Lord, they learn to control their tongue.

6. Do you need your tongue tamed?