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The Problem That Is Right Under Your Nose

(James 3:1–2)

Introduction:

I want to speak to you today about “speaking.” Actually, I want to speak to you today about a problem that we have in our church, but it is a problem that exists in every church. And it is “The Problem That Is Right Under Our Noses.” I’m talking about the tongue.

Warren Wiersbe said that the book of James has to do with…

The Marks of the Mature Christian

In Chapter 1, He Is Patient In Testing

A. There Are Trials On The Outside 1:1-12

B. There Are Temptations On The Inside 1:13-27

In Chapter 2, He Practices The Truth

A. James Talks About Faith And Love 2:1-13

B. James Talks About Faith And Works 2:14-26

In Chapter 3, He Has Power Over His Tongue

As John MacArthur states…

The tongue is of great concern to James, being mentioned in every chapter of his letter (see 1:19, 26; 2:12; 3:5, 6 [twice], 8; 4:11; 5:12).

The main section in James’ epistle that deals with the tongue is here in chapter 3, particularly verses 1 thru 12.

In verses 1 and 2, James shows the problem of the tongue through a few Comments.

In verses 3 thru 8, James shows the problem of the tongue through a few Comparisons.

In verses 9 thru 12, James shows the problem of the tongue through a few Considerations.

John MacArthur wrote of the tongue that…

It is a tattletale that tells on the heart and discloses the real person (as Jesus said in Matthew 12:34 … “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh”). Not only that, but misuse of the tongue is perhaps the easiest way to sin. There are some sins that an individual may not be able to commit simply because he does not have the opportunity. But there are no limits to what one can say, no built-in restraints or boundaries. In Scripture, the tongue is variously described as wicked, deceitful, perverse, filthy, corrupt, flattering, slanderous, gossiping, blasphemous, foolish, boasting, complaining, cursing, contentious, sensual, and vile. And that list is not exhaustive. No wonder God put the tongue in a cage behind the teeth, walled in by the mouth! Using another figure, someone has observed that because the tongue is in a wet place, it can easily slip.

Right in the middle of this section, James makes a statement that is unparalleled in the way that it negatively describes the tongue…

(James 3:6) 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.

Wow!

Do you remember the old saying that we learned as children? “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” That sounds good, but it’s simply not true. Words do hurt. The tongue is a dangerous thing.

Someone listed these things that you can’t take back…

The moment, after it has passed

The time, after it is gone

The stone, after it is thrown

And the word, after it is spoken

The old saying goes that ‘speech is silver, but silence is golden.’ And there is an old proverb that says, “The best answer to anger is silence.”

William Norris, the American journalist who specialized in simple but poignant rhymes once wrote…

If your lips would keep from slips, Five things observe with care:

To whom you speak; of whom you speak; And how, and when, and where.

Wiersbe shared the following. He said…

A pastor friend told me about a member of his church who was a notorious gossip. She would “hang on the phone” most of the day, sharing tidbits with any and all who would listen. She came to the pastor one day and said, “Pastor, the Lord has convicted me of my sin of gossip. My tongue is getting me and others into trouble.” My friend knew she was not sincere because she had gone through that routine before. Guardedly he asked, “Well, what do you plan to do?” “I want to put my tongue on the altar,” she replied with pious fervor. Calmly my friend replied, “There isn’t an altar big enough,” and he left her to think it over.

Over the years, I have had various people including deacons and church leaders say to me, “There’s a lot of talk going on in the church.” And somehow, I always knew that they were not referring to speech that involved praise or exhortation. Unfortunately, they were referring to gossip or negative speech.

James reminds us that the tongue is a dangerous thing. He indicates in these first two verses that someone who speaks or communicates is highly accountable for what they say. And he indicates that someone who can control their tongue and be inoffensive in the use of their tongue is a spiritually mature person.

As we look at these first two verses in James 3…

I. Let’s Consider The Readers That James Mentions

(James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

A. Notice How He Claims Them

The word “my” is a possessive pronoun that modifies the word “brethren” next to it.

my – Greek NT:3450. mou (moo); the simpler form of NT:1700; of me -- I, me, mine (own), my.

James is addressing those who are “Brothers of me.”

John MacArthur wrote…

“My brethren” indicates that James is addressing those who name the name of Christ, including those whose faith is genuine beyond question.

Can a true Christian have a problem with the tongue? Absolutely!

B. Notice What He Calls Them

brethren – Greek 80. adelphos, ad-el-fos'; from G1 (as a connective particle) and delphus (the womb); a brother (lit. or fig.) near or remote [much like H1]:--brother.

According to Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, it means “from the same womb.”

Wiersbe said…

James sent his letter to Christian Jews. At least nineteen times he addressed them as “brethren,” indicating not only “brothers in the flesh” (fellow Jews), but also “brothers in the Lord.”

II. Let’s Consider The Recommendation That James Mentions

(James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

A. Notice The Meaning Of The Words In This Phrase

James literally says that “Not many of them should presume to become teachers.”

many – Greek 4183. polus, pol-oos'; includ. the forms from the alt. pollos; (sing.) much (in any respect) or (plur.) many; neut. (sing.) as adv. largely; neut. (plur.) as adv. or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft (-en [-times]), plenteous, sore, straitly.

masters – Greek 1320. didaskalos, did-as'-kal-os; from G1321; an instructor (gen. or spec.):--doctor, master, teacher.

Albert Barnes wrote…

The evil reprehended is that of seeking the office of public instructor, especially the sacred office. It would seem that this was a prevailing fault among those to whom the apostle wrote. This desire was common among the Jewish people, who coveted the name and the office of “Rabbi,” equivalent to that here used, and who were ambitious to be doctors and teachers.

B. Notice The Message Of Warning In This Phrase

This multiplicity of teachers and those who took to themselves a platform of communicating to the church revealed how shallow some of them were. They wanted a position.

A. T. Robertson wrote…

“Stop becoming many teachers” (so many of you). There is thus a clear complaint that too many of the Jewish Christians were attempting to teach what they did not clearly comprehend.

Hamilton Smith wrote…

The apostle is not speaking of the right use of the gift of teaching, but of the propensity of the flesh to delight in teaching others, and in its eagerness to take part in ministry. … Even where the gift of teaching exists, the flesh, if allowed, can easily misuse the gift to feed its own vanity.

Alexander Maclaren said…

James would check that unwholesome eagerness by the thought that teachers who do not practice what they preach will receive a heavier judgment than those who did not set up to be instructors.

This multiplicity of teachers and those who took to themselves a platform of communicating to the church revealed how arrogant some of them were. They wanted power.

The way this verse appears in The Amplified Bible sheds some light on what James is saying…

(James 3:1 – The Amplified Bible) NOT MANY [of you] should become teachers (self-constituted censors and reprovers of others), my brethren, for you know that we [teachers] will be judged by a higher standard and with greater severity [than other people; thus we assume the greater accountability and the more condemnation].

John Gill said…

The words may be rendered, “be not many teachers”; or be not fond, and forward, and ambitious of being preachers of the word, but rather choose to be hearers of it. … This office should not be entered upon without suitable gifts (and) a divine mission. … And when entered into, should not be performed in a magisterial way, as lords over God’s heritage, and as claiming a dominion over the faith of men, but as helpers of their joy, peace, and comfort; nor according to the commandments of men, but according to the oracles of God. Or it may be, this exhortation may have respect to censorious persons, rigid and severe reprovers of others, who take upon them, in a haughty manner, to charge and rebuke others for their faults.

John Calvin said…

I take masters not to be those who performed a public duty in the Church, but such as took upon them the right of passing judgment upon others: for such reprovers sought to be accounted as masters of morals. And it has a mode of speaking usual among the Greeks as well as Latins, that they were called masters who … (arrogantly criticized) others.

Warren Wiersbe said…

Apparently, everybody in the assembly wanted to teach and be a spiritual leader, for James had to warn them: “Not many of you should act as teachers, my brothers” (James 3:1, NIV). Perhaps they were impressed with the authority and prestige of the office, and forgot about the tremendous responsibility and accountability! Those who teach the Word face the stricter judgment.

That being said…

III. Let’s Consider The Responsibility That James Mentions

(James 3:1) My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Over the years, when a young man has told me that God has called him into ministry, I have told them to make absolutely sure because of how serious a thing it is to stand and declare God’s Word. James understood this.

A. Notice The Vivid Term That Shows The Accountability Of The Teacher

condemnation – Greek 2917. krima, kree’-mah; from G2919; a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [”crime”]):--avenge, condemned, condemnation, damnation, + go to law, judgment.

Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says of this word “condemnation” (NT:2917 – krima)…

This word means the “decision” of the judge. Usually the decision is unfavorable, and it thus bears the sense of condemnation.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says of this word “condemnation” (NT:2917 – krima) that it…

Denotes “the sentence pronounced, a verdict, a condemnation, the decision resulting from an investigation,” (or) “the process of judgment leading to a decision.”

Albert Barnes wrote…

[Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation] Or rather, “a severer judgment;” that is, we shall have a severer trial, and give a stricter account. The word here used does not necessarily mean “condemnation,” but “judgment, trial, account;” and the consideration which the apostle suggests is not that those who were public teachers would be condemned, but that there would be a much more solemn account to be rendered by them than by other men, and that they ought duly to reflect on this in seeking the office of the ministry. He would carry them in anticipation before the judgment-seat, and have them determine the question of entering the ministry there.

B. Notice The Various Texts That Show The Accountability Of The Teacher

John MacArthur said…

The grave responsibility of declaring God’s Word is presented twice in the book of Ezekiel. Through that prophet, the Lord said,

(Ezekiel 3:17-19) Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. {18} When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. {19} Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

MacArthur goes on to say…

That warning is repeated in 33:7-9. The writer of Hebrews speaks of preachers, teachers, and other church leaders who “keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account” (Hebrews 13:17). With godly satisfaction, Paul was able to tell the Ephesian elders who met him at Miletus, “I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:26-27).

Throughout The New Testament, There Are Passages That Expose Corrupt Teaching…

(1 Timothy 1:3-7) As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, {4} Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. {5} Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: {6} From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling (random talk); {7} Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm (what they confidently affirm).

(1 Timothy 6:3-5) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; {4} He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, {5} Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

(2 Peter 2:1-3) But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. {2} And many shall follow their pernicious (destructive) ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. {3} And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

There Are Also Passages That Expose Corrupt Talking…

(Proverbs 6:16-19) These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: {17} A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, {18} An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, {19} A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Here’s an interesting verse…

(Proverbs 25:23) The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting (deceptive) tongue.

The indication is that when someone starts talking trash, give them a mean look to drive them away.

(Matthew 12:36-37) But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. {37} For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

(Ephesians 4:29-32) Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. {30} And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: {32} And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Here is an example to follow after when it comes to the use of our tongue…

(Psalms 19:14) Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

We are accountable for what we say. And others may not remember exactly what was said and what wasn’t said. But God does…

(Psalms 139:4) For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

Illustration:

I read a story about a farmer’s wife who had spread a slanderous story about her pastor through the village and the whole countryside had heard it. Some time later the woman had taken ill and confessed the story was untrue. After her recovery she came to the pastor and asked for his pardon. Of course I will forgive you, if you just do one thing. “Go home, kill a black hen, pluck the feathers, and put them in a basket and bring them here.” In a short time she was back. “Now,” said the pastor, “go through the village and at each street corner scatter a few of these feathers. The remaining ones take to the bell tower and scatter them to the winds and come back.” She did exactly what she was told. “Now,” said the pastor, “go through the village and gather the feathers again and see that not one is missing.” “Why,” she said, “that is impossible. The wind has scattered them everywhere.” “So,” said the servant of God, “never forget that you can never undo the damage your untrue words have done.”

Illustration:

Have you ever said something you wish you hadn’t said? The accuser of the brethren still reminds me of conversations that took place years ago. And every time it crosses my mind, it haunts me. I’m sure the fellow in the following story had some regrets…

A local priest was being honored at his retirement dinner after 25 years in the parish. A leading local politician and member of the congregation was chosen to make the presentation and to give a little speech at the dinner. However, he was delayed so the priest decided to say his own few words while they waited. He said, “I got my first impression of the parish from the first confession I heard here. I thought I had been assigned to a terrible place. The very first person who entered my confessional told me he had stolen a television set and, when questioned by the police, was able to lie his way out of it. He had also stolen money from his parents, embezzled from his employer, had an affair with his best friend’s wife, and taken illicit drugs. I was appalled. “But as the days went on, I learned that my people were not all like that, and I had indeed come to a fine parish full of good and loving people.”

Just as the priest finished his talk, the politician arrived full of apologies for being late. He immediately began to make the presentation and said: “I’ll never forget the first day our parish priest arrived. In fact, I had the honor of being the first person to go to him for confession.” The moral of the story is never, never, NEVER EVER be late. But there is another lesson to learn here, and it is this: Be careful what you say!

Illustration:

I’ve never watched “American Idol.” But I am familiar with the concept of the show. And I have heard about Simon Cowell, the razor-tongued judge on the show, and that he can be very harsh in what he says. I came across a list of some of the zingers that he has hurled at the various contestants…

“If you sang like this two thousand years ago, people would have stoned you.”

“That was extraordinary. Unfortunately, extraordinarily bad.”

“You don’t need a judge – you need an exorcist.”

“You sang like someone who sings on a cruise ship … halfway through I imagined the ship sinking.”

“You have just invented a new form of torture.”

“My advice would be, if you want to pursue a career in the music business: Don’t.”

These are just a few things that Simon says. And perhaps we are not intentionally trying to be offensive like he is, but James indicates that all of us have the propensity to offend others by what we say.

IV. Let’s Consider The Reality That James Mentions

(James 3:2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

A. Notice The Iniquity Involved In Our Stumbling

Many of the modern versions of the scripture have rendered the beginning of verse 2 like this: “We all stumble in many ways.” The Amplified Bible reads this way: “For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things.”

offend – Greek 4417. ptaio, ptah'-yo; a form of G4098; to trip, i.e (fig.) to err, sin, fail (of salvation):--fall, offend, stumble.

The United Bible Societies New Testament Handbook Series explains this phrase saying…

We all make many mistakes: what James says here is probably a well-known proverbial saying, as the idea is found in some biblical writers (Job 4:17-19; Proverbs 20:9; 1 John 1:8). We notice a dramatic shift again in we all, meaning “all of us Christians,” not just the teachers. … The verb rendered make mistakes is literally “to stumble” or “to trip.” It is sometimes used figuratively in the New Testament to mean “spiritual failure” or “falling into sin,” and may be rendered in this context as “make a slip,” “go wrong,” “commit error,” or “do many wrong things.” The verb is in the present tense, which may indicate that the action is repetitive. The word many in Greek can have the sense of “number” or “variety.” In the first case it may be rendered as “many,” “often,” or “again and again.” However, in the other case it may be translated as “all kinds of ways” or “in many respects.”

We make mistakes and sin and stumble and fall in all kinds of ways. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon indicates that in this verse, the application is specifically to our sins and stumbling in the area of word or speech. In other words, we have all said things that we shouldn’t have said.

B. Notice The Inclusiveness Involved In Our Stumbling

It’s amazing to me that when people start pointing fingers and saying, “He said this,” or “She said that,” that person has usually been saying the same thing or worse. Maybe your still trying to point the finger at the other person. And maybe your thinking, “I’ve never said what they said!” Or, “I’ve never done something as bad as what they did!” Listen to what the Scripture says…

(1 John 1:8) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

(2 Chronicles 6:36) … there is no man which sinneth not…

(Romans 3:23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

James said, “We ALL stumble in many ways.”

Matthew Henry wrote…

“Be not many masters” … do not censure (criticize) one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.” This is enforced by two reasons. Those who … set (themselves) up for judges and (critics) shall receive the greater condemnation. Our judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and severe, Matthew 7:1,2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of others, and arrogant in passing (criticism) upon them, may expect that God will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss. Another reason given against such (action is that) we are all sinners: In many things we offend all, v. 2. Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them.

John Calvin said…

James seems to me to exhort us by this argument to meekness, since we are ourselves also surrounded with many infirmities; for he acts unjustly who denies to others the pardon he needs himself.

V. Let’s Consider The Rationale That James Mentions

(James 3:2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

A. A Controlled Tongue Is An Indication Of Spiritual Development

perfect – Greek 5046. teleios, tel'-i-os; from G5056; complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neut. (as noun, with G3588) completeness:--of full age, man, perfect.

The United Bible Societies New Testament Handbook Series says…

The adjective perfect is perhaps best understood as “complete,” “whole,” and “mature,” not “sinless” in the sense of “morally perfect.” (One language resource) uses the idea of “maturity” and translates “But if you can control your tongue, you are mature…”

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that this word “perfect” (NT:5046 – teleios) has to do with “the stages of learning – beginning, advance, and maturity. Aristotle attempts a definition: “Perfect” is that beyond which there is no further advance in excellence or quality in its genus (genre), which lacks nothing of its own excellence. … (It) means “to reach the limit of professional ability.”

I think the prophet Samuel exemplified this type of development as the Bible says…

(1 Samuel 3:19) And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

B. A Controlled Tongue Is An Indication Of Self-Discipline

(James 3:2) For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Albert Barnes said…

The design is to show that if a man can control his tongue, he has complete dominion over himself. … To control his whole body, that is, every other part of himself, as a man does a horse by the bridle. The word rendered “to bridle,” means to lead or guide with a bit; then to rein in, to check, to moderate, to restrain. A man always has complete government over himself if he has the entire control of his tongue. It is that by which he gives expression to his thoughts and passions; and if that is kept under proper restraint, all the rest of his members are as easily controlled as the horse is by having the control of the bit.

Warren Wiersbe asked…

Is James making a mistake by connecting sins of the tongue with sins committed by “the whole body”? No, because words usually lead to deeds. During World War II we were accustomed to seeing posters that read LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS! But loose lips also wreck lives. A person makes an unguarded statement and suddenly finds himself involved in a fight. His tongue has forced the rest of his body to defend itself.

John MacArthur wrote of this last phrase in verse 2 that…

James … make a remarkable claim, declaring that a Christian who can bridle his tongue is able to bridle the whole body as well. In this context, body seems to refer to the person in general, to his whole being. In other words, if we can control our tongues – which respond so readily and limitlessly to sin – then controlling everything else will follow. If the Holy Spirit has control of this most volatile and intractable part of our being, how much more susceptible to His control will the rest of our lives be? … When a person’s speech is Christ-exalting, God-honoring, and edifying, one can be sure the rest of his life spiritually healthy – and vice versa.

Jesus made some statements indicating that what we say is indicative of the overall spiritual condition of our lives…

(Matthew 15:11) Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

(Matthew 15:18-20) But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. {19} For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: {20} These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.

Conclusion:

It cannot be said of the church that “seldom is hear a discouraging word, and the skies are not cloudy all day.” The fact is, there are a lot of hurtful things said in the church context. But I don’t want to be the one that says something I shouldn’t say. I want my heart and my mouth to be right with God.

As I have studied these verses, I’ve been reminded of the little song that we learned as children…

O be careful little eyes what you see

O be careful little ears what you hear

O be careful little hands what you do

O be careful little feet where you go

And then here’s the verse that is relevant to our subject today…

O be careful little mouth what you say

O be careful little mouth what you say

For the Father Up above,

Is looking down in love,

So, be careful little mouth what you say

And to that, I say, “Amen!”

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