Be MatureChapter 7

Warren W. Wiersbe

The World’s Smallest but Largest Troublemaker

James 3: 1-12

• Characteristics of Mature Christian– Patient in trouble (Chapter 1)– Practices the truth (Chapter 2)– Power over tongues (hands)

• Power of speech: we can make or break– We can praise God or lie to break a person’s heart or

reputation

• James gave 6 pictures to show importance of controlled speech and consequences of our words:– Bit (bridle), rudder, fire, a poisonous animal, fountain,

and fig tree

• Power to Direct (3:1-4)– 3:1 – Not many of you should act as teachers, my

brethren.• Teachers are impressed with authority and power, but they

face stricter judgment. Therefore, they must practice what they teach. They have responsibility and accountability.

• Christians “stumble in many way” (3:2, NIV) including sins of tongue. The mature (perfect) person controls the whole body by controlling his tongue (what is being said). Word leads to deeds.

– Prov. 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue:…

– Ps. 141:3 - Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.

– Matthew 12:34b … for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

» Heart

• The words we speak affect the life of others– Prov. 15:1 - A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous

words stir up anger. -

• Power to Destroy (3: 5-8)– Fire can begin with spark and grow to destroy a city

• Chicago fire in 1871• Words can start a fire

– Prov. 26:20-24

– Fire can heat up• Ps. 139:1 - I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.• The words we speak affect the life of others• Prov. 17:27a - He that hath knowledge spareth his words:

…

– Hot head

– Fire can defile (ruin) so can your words. Fiery words can defile a home, church & Sunday School class

– Fire burns and hurts so can our words burn and hurt• Jesus was called a man gluttonous and a winebibber

(Matt.11:19)

– Fire spreads and more fuel you add, the faster and farther it will spread

• 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.

• A person’s life can be injured or destroyed by tongues (hands)

• Confession of sins of tongues will not stop spreading

– As fire spreads, it destroys. So can our words. We can break one’s heart and ruin his reputation.

• Col 4:6 - Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

– Dangerous animal is restless and cannot be ruled (controlled). It seeks a prey, pounce (jump upon), and kills. Like poisonous animals, tongues (hands) spread poison. Poison works secretly and works slowly before it kills. Animals can be tamed, but not tongues.

• Power to Delight (3:9-12)– Fountain provides refreshing cool water for drinking

• Prov. 18:4 - The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a brook.

• Prov. 10:11 - The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

• Prov. 14:14 - The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

• Water is life-giving so our words can give life: gift of refreshment.

– Prov. 18:21 - Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

• Water also cleanses.• John 15:3 - Now ye are clean through the word which I

have spoken unto you.

• Eph. 5:26-27 - That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

– Tree is delightful, because it holds down the soil; provide beauty and shade; and bears fruit.

• Prov. 10:21 - The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

John 6:63 - It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Our words can encourage the weary travelers.

– Root system• If we are rooted in the things of God, our words will be the fruit

of our fellowship with God.

• Ps. 1:2-3 - But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth hisfruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; andwhatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

• Warning: Fountain cannot give both sweet and salt water. Likewise, Tree cannot not give both figs and olives. Fountain provide only fresh water while fig tree only figs. Our words likewise cannot provide both blessing and cursing: blessing God and then cursing men who are made in God’s image. Example of family members

• The cause of the problem: tongue (hands) or heart– Matt 15:18 - But those things which proceed out

of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.

– Twelve Words that can Transform Your LifeOnly if you mean from your heart• “Please” & “Thank you”: You are treating others like

people, not things and showing appreciation.• “I’m sorry”: a way of breaking down the wall and

building the bridge• “I love you”: As a Christian we should love the

brethrens and enemies. It’s a statement that can carry tremendous power

• “I’m praying for you”: Be sure you do. When you talk to God about people, you talk to people about God.