The Tongue James 3:1-12

The Tongue A Stricter Judgment (1) The Perfect, Mature man (2-5) –Control over smallest member The Tongue, A Fire (6) –Defiles –Set on fire by Hell The Tongue, Untameable (7-8) The Tongue, Duplicitous (9-12) “These things ought not to be so” (10)

Sins of the Tongue Profanity “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth” (Colossians 3:8) Includes dirty jokes, innuendo, euphemisms (language that brings filth to the mind).

Sins of the Tongue Slander “Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:18-19) Slander – to defame, speak evil of... (blasphemy)

Sins of the Tongue Unrighteous Judgment “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” (James 4:11) cf. Romans 14:4, “Who are you to judge another’s servant?” Premature or biased (opinion) judgment

Sins of the Tongue Flattery “A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28) Flattery is insincere, often false praise whose design is to manipulate for gain.

Sins of the Tongue Murmuring (Complaining) “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14-15)

Sins of the Tongue Gossip “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” (Proverbs 11:13) Gossip (Revealing secrets), sinful because... – Often the “tales” are untrue – Those who reveal secrets are unfaithful

Conclusion “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. 36 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:35-37)