This week's Bible Study - November 22, 2009
Watch Your Language
 Background Scripture:
James 3:1-18
Quote of the Week:
“Change your language and you change your thoughts.”
-- Karl Albrecht
Have words ever been a problem in your life? I think the only one who could say no would have to be mute - and even then, they probably have 'signed' some bad things. For the rest of us, assuming you've ever spoke one word, you probably will have to say that you have said at least one thing that you wish you could take back. One of my favorite comedians is Brian Regan. In one of his skits, he talks about how he is always putting his foot in his mouth. He says that he doesn't stop and think. For example, he said "I met this woman recently and I could have sworn she was pregnant. (pause) I know now. I think the rule is don't guess at that ever, ever, ever, ever - you could never have too many ever's memorized. I said "When's that baby due?" WHAT baby? I said "At the zoo, the pandas". I knew they were trying to have one, I just thought we'd talk about them.
We may never have guessed someone to be pregnant or guessed someone's gender wrong, but we have all said things that we wish we could just pull back into our mouths. Sometimes, it may be funny, but more often we say things that come back to haunt us, or things that damage relationships. As kids in school, we had that phrase - "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me". It sounded good then, but through life we realize that isn't the case. Relationships can be harmed to the point of brokenness. Our ability to share with others may be lost forever, if we can't tame our tongues.
In this first passage, James speaks primarily to teachers, but the point he will be making can be for all of us. For those who are teaching, there is much that is expected. Knowing that we are all imperfect, it would be easy for any of us teachers to just stop teaching, because we know that at some point, we will say something wrong or lead somebody in the wrong direction by our words or our deeds. Yes, there are standards that teachers should adhere to, but the main point that James is driving home is in regards to the words we say - whether you are a teacher or not.
We all stumble in many ways. Many people in church tend to act as if they have no issues, but all people go through things at times. This isn't just talking about illnesses and losses of all kinds that everybody in the world goes through, but more specifically moral failures. As believers, we know that Jesus died for our sins, but some people seem to think that we're responsible for it all after the point of accepting Jesus. We are to attempt to live to God's standards, but we all need Jesus throughout our lives, as none of us can attain that fully.
James says that we all stumble, but if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. None of us are perfect, but when we can get control of the words that we use or avoid other words, we are able to impact lives (our own and others) much greater. You may even have found that when you allow your speech to become ungodly, either through cursing or slandering or gossip or in other speech related areas, the rest of your life is likely to follow soon thereafter.
James gives a couple of very insightful analogies. First, he talks about the bits in the horses' mouth. When the bits are in their mouths, a person can control the horse - the horse will obey and their entire body is able to be directed as well. Have you ever really been next to a horse and noticed their size and strength? These bits are very small in comparison to the size of the animal and they work by pressure and not by pain. You may have heard the expression 'chomping at the bit'. It comes from overanxious horses that are having problems getting into the starting position.
In another analogy, James mentioned the large ships that are driven by strong winds. Though these ships can be very massive, their direction is controlled by a very small rudder, allowing the pilot to maneuver that large vessel. In relation to the size of the ship, the rudder is very small, yet the function it provides is crucial to safe passage of a ship.
Just as bits and rudders are used to control very large things, the tongue is a small part of our body. The tongue boasts of great things - writing checks that the owner is most often not able to cover. In some respects, this talks about us boasting about ourselves, but James continues to talk about a forest that is set aflame by such a small fire. The problem with our words is that once they get out, they can just multiply into larger problems. Have you ever said something that more or less became a spark that resulted in a large fire? I know I have done such in the past, and there have been other 'fires' that have devoured entire 'forests' in the lives of many people I know. Are you at risk of starting a forest fire with the spark of your tongue?
James goes on to say that the tongue is a fire - that spark that can begin a forest fire. Sparks are not bad in and of themselves. If you are camping and you want to start a campfire, you want a spark. If you are lighting a grill, you want a spark. If you want your car to start, there has to be a spark. All of these sparks serve good purposes, but you can imagine a spark that is in your living room, as opposed to your fireplace. It can cause much damage. Our tongues provide a spark - both for good and for bad.
James says that the tongue is the very world of iniquity. It 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. Again, there are many consequences to the words that we use, and they are often detrimental. You may have heard that it takes many more good words to have a positive impact on a child than the number of bad words to have a negative impact. You can look to some people that always seem to have a good thing to say to others, in an encouraging manner. You can also see other people that seem to be rather caustic to those around them, which can often make those relationships more difficult to maintain.
James talks about every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea that is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. Many people have pets of all different types and some of them can be tamed. It doesn't always seem to stay that way. You may have heard of Siegfried and Roy, who worked with white tigers and lions in a Las Vegas show. However, there was a horrific incident in which one of the white tigers attacked his long time handler, underscoring the danger of having exotic pets. Regardless, mankind has tamed, at least partially, all types of animals. However, the tongue is much more difficult to tame. James says that the tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Some people don't like to think of themselves as being evil in any way, but we must remember that Christ died for the sinners, which includes all of us. If left on our own, the evil inside of us would eventually surface and cause numerous issues in our lives.
Now the tongue can be of much worth. Just like the fire analogy - fire in the fireplace is good, but fire in the living room floor is bad. With our tongue, we can bless our Lord and Father. We can say all sorts of encouraging things to others and we can share our faith, which gives us hope in all situations. But, with that same tongue, we can curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. There are many different ways that we can curse others - by belittling them, by gossiping and spreading rumors about them, and so forth.
James makes the point that from the same mouth comes both blessing and cursing. We all know this to be true. We have used our words for good and for harm. Often, people look for creative ways to use their words for harm. Obviously, this is not what was intended with the way we use our words.
A fountain cannot send out both fresh and bitter water from the same opening. It is either one or the other. Obviously, if you realize that a fountain has been tainted, then you know it is not valuable for drinking water. You wouldn't want to just take your chances thinking that some times it would be okay and other times not. James goes on to say that a fig tree cannot produce olives and a vine cannot produce figs. In species regeneration, there are no new species created, nor are there other species that occur. Salt water and fresh water cannot co-exist. If you find a body of water and you find it to be full of salt water, you will know that it is not good for fresh water.
We can see many different types of analogies that tell us that like follows like. There is an order or some sense of consistency in what can be found. Yet, the problem is that our tongue and our words do not always seem to follow that prescribed order.
James asks who is wise and understanding among us. We would all like to think that would be us, or that we would be becoming someone who could be seen as wise and understanding. We are to show this by our good behavior and deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. Are we doing good deeds and exhibiting good behavior in our lives? And, are we doing it because of who we are or because of who we want others to think we are?
Even among believers, it is often easier to find bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, rather that wisdom and understanding. We start at an early age to think of me and mine. When every decision that we make is based upon how it impacts 'me', we are not living with wisdom. Being inward focus naturally leads to jealousy. We see what someone else has and we want it. It may spur that selfish ambition as we set goals to get more for 'me'. We all need to take a few steps back and examine our own lives. Do we find jealousy and selfish ambition, along with arrogance? If this is our idea of wisdom, we've missed the point.
This wisdom is godly wisdom, but instead it is earthly, natural and demonic. God's wisdom is focused upon others, while our own arrogance leads us to be focused on ourselves. This is clearly a worldly form of wisdom. When we deal with jealousy and selfish ambition, we start to see many other results. James says that there is disorder and ever evil thing. You can clearly imagine that a group of people that finds each individual more focused on themselves than others will eventually lead to disorder. As each person would try and get ahead, they would see others as obstacles that stand in the way. This is not what God intended.
As opposed to disorder and every evil thing, godly wisdom is defined in much different terms. It is pure, in that it is not focused on an end goal of pleasing oneself. It is peaceable, as it does not look at others at obstacles in the way. It is gentle, as we care for one another and find ourselves empathetic towards other's needs. It is reasonable, as it leads to harmony and order. It is full of mercy and good fruits. When we realize that we have all been forgiven by God through Jesus Christ, we will find that it is easier to show mercy to others who have failed. It is unwavering - the focus remains the same. If the focus is all about me, that focus changes as I change. Looking to help others remains the same. It is without hypocrisy. We do because of who we are and not to get something from others.
James says that this seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. As believers, we are to share the hope that we have and in essence, we are sowing the seed that leads to righteousness. As others follow, there will be a sense of peace among believers.
Closing
We do all stumble in many ways. No matter what other areas of your life may be like, we all deal with issues in our speech. Sometimes, it is saying too much. Sometimes, it is saying the wrong thing. Sometimes, it is not saying enough. In any situation, this lesson speaks to each of us, as we speak.
I don't know any person that has a bit in his or her mouth to control them, or a rudder that directs them. Both of these are useful to control large animals or ships, but not humans. We have tongues that have a lot to do with how our lives end up. The first thing to do is to realize the power of the tongue. Some people have mastered this and use it as a weapon. They become somewhat of a sniper that is able to destroy another person from a long distance away, with the words that they say. The tongue is like a fire that spreads. Realize the power, but don't use that power as weapon.
How are your words used? Are you one that encourages others? Do you look for the things to say that can lift people up or are you using them in a way to destroy others? It becomes very intentional if we truly want to have a positive impact. Our words often point to the real people that we are. Do your words line up with the person that you intend to be? Do you think that others would say that you are someone who lifts others up, or would they say that you belittle others?
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