THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE AGENCY 1 Let not many of you become - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE AGENCY

1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. JAM AMES S 3:1-5 AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. JAM AMES S 3:1-5 AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. JAM AMES S 3:1-5 AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! JAM AMES S 3:1-5 AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE TONGUE IS A BEAUTIFUL GIFT of God and one can’t possibly imagine what great loss human life would have if we lost the gift of speech. Sadly however this gift of speech has been terribly misused and has even become a mighty instrument of SIN. The tongue is supposed to be a fountain of blessing, encouragement, and edification, but sometimes it is used in the opposite way that God wants it to be. AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

The tongue is so IMPORTANT that it is the MEASURE of THREE THINGS in this passage AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

1 2 3 THE MEASURE OF THE MEASURE OF SPIRITUALITY THE POWER OF THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE THE TONGUE OF JUDGMENT (VERSE 2) (VERSE 3-5) The given fact of our OF THE TONGUE The illustration of small imperfection and powerful things The spiritual maturity of (VERSE 1) one able to control the The small but powerful tongue tongue AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE TONGUE 1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. JA JAMES ES 3:1 AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE JUDGMENT OF THE WE ARE TONGUE ALL You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the TEACHE way and when you lie down and when you rise up. DEUTERONOMY RONOMY 6:7 RS AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

Together with If we use it for GOOD, teaching comes a we cannot use it for EVIL. Our tongue greater responsibility. cannot have a DUAL CITIZENSHIP! The tongue is used as an INSTRUMENT of God for INSTRUCTION. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

Together with If we use it for GOOD, teaching comes a we cannot use it for EVIL. Our tongue greater cannot have a DUAL responsibility. CITIZENSHIP! This responsibility would cause us to enter into stricter judgment with God. As the Bible teaches, to whom much is given, MUCH IS REQUIRED. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF SPIRITUALITY OF THE TONGUE 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. JA JAMES ES 3:2 AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone SPIRITUALITY OF THE does not stumble in TONGUE what he says, he is a A. THE GIVEN FACT OF OUR perfect man, able to IMPERFECTION bridle the whole body as well. - James, the apostle acknowledges that WE [including himself; Lenski remarks “this is James’ great confession JAMES JA ES 3:2 of sin”] ALL STUMBLE IN MANY WAYS. Some people don’t want to acknowledge this and at times, it is easy to see sin in others, but not see it in ourselves. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone SPIRITUALITY OF THE does not stumble in TONGUE what he says, he is a A. THE GIVEN FACT OF OUR perfect man, able to IMPERFECTION bridle the whole body as well. The word “stumble” in its literal sense conveys the picture of the foot striking against some obstacle so as to JAMES JA ES 3:2 cause the individual to trip. NOTE: the word “MANY WAYS” SUGGESTS both QUANTITY and VARIETY of sins. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

James is not saying this so that we may EXCUSE OURSELVES from the ERROR OF OUR WAYS, but that we may be CAREFUL since we are ERROR PRONE and there are MANY OBSTACLES placed by SATAN along the way which could CAUSE US TO TRIP. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

Satan knows our WEAKNESSES and it is there where he will hit us. If your weakness is pride, he’ll surround you with people who will flatter you. If your weakness is anger, then he’ll surround you with people who irritate you. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF SPIRITUALITY OF THE TONGUE B. THE SPIRITUAL MATURITY OF ONE ABLE TO CONTROL THE TONGUE 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. JA JAMES ES 3:2 AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF 2 For we all stumble in SPIRITUALITY OF THE many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what TONGUE B. THE SPIRITUAL MATURITY OF ONE he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the ABLE TO CONTROL THE TONGUE whole body as well. “PERFECT” does not mean 100% RIGHTEOUSNESS or SINLESSNESS, but rather SPIRITUAL MATURITY. JAMES JA ES 3:2 Maturity is measured in the way we talk. If we are able to control our tongues, which is most difficult, then that means that we are able to control the other passions of our body, like anger, covetousness, lust and so on. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF 2 For we all stumble in SPIRITUALITY OF THE many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what TONGUE There are many ways wherein we can he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the misuse our tongues: whole body as well. ❑ Telling an off-color story [tone] JA JAMES ES 3:2 ❑ To utter profanity in a time of anger ❑ Pass on gossip ❑ Report dishonest half-truths or exaggerations AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

MATURITY is also measured in the way we talk, because OUT OF THE ABUNDANCE OF THE HEART THE MOUTH SPEAKS. In other words, THE MOUTH SPEAKS WHAT IS IN THE HEART. Our mouth reveals the spiritual state of our hearts. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE POWER OF THE TONGUE A. THE ILLUSTRATION OF SMALL AND POWERFUL THINGS 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. JA JAMES ES 3:3 AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE 3 Now if we put the bits POWER OF THE TONGUE into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, A. THE ILLUSTRATION OF SMALL we direct their entire body AND POWERFUL THINGS as well. To control the body of the horse as to where it should JA JAMES ES 3:3 go, you have to put the bit in its mouth. CONTROL THE MOUTH, AND YOU WILL CONTROL THE BODY. CONTROL THE TONGUE AND YOU CONTROL THE PASSIONS OF THE BODY. Start with the basics and you will be able to handle the others. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE POWER OF THE TONGUE A. THE ILLUSTRATION OF SMALL AND POWERFUL THINGS 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. JA JAMES ES 3:4 AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE 4 Look at the ships also, POWER OF THE TONGUE though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by A. THE ILLUSTRATION OF SMALL a very small rudder AND POWERFUL THINGS wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. There were already large ships during that time. The merchant ship that Paul rode in when he was JAMES JA ES 3:4 shipwrecked accommodated 276 passengers. Huge ships are directed by a small rudder. This small thing AFFECTS THE WHOLE SHIP in the same manner that the tongue AFFECTS THE WAY YOU LIVE, it affects the way you take control of your passions. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE POWER OF THE TONGUE B. THE SMALL BUT POWERFUL 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! JA JAMES ES 3:5 AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

THE MEASURE OF THE 5 So also the tongue is a POWER OF THE TONGUE small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a B. THE SMALL BUT POWERFUL forest is set aflame by such a small fire! Being small does not necessarily mean being insignificant. JAMES 3:5 Small things and small people can bring a whole world of difference. This is true with the TONGUE, which can actually do great things. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE

Sad to say however, is that its greatness at times lies in the area of damage. The picture here is of a whole forest set on fire by a small fire. AGENCY AGENCY THE MEASURE OF THE TONGUE