James 3:5-10

 

Apparently, the average person speaks 16,000 words each day. The Bard invented over 1,700 words still in use today. The script for A New Hope has over 27,000 words. And the Bible has more than 783,00 words in it.


Four truths about our words: 

  1. Our words carry great power (v. 5). … Let’s get the cliche saying out of the way: “The pen is mightier than the sword.” A sword or a fist can cause physical damage, but words can reach our depths and cause great pain or sorrow or joy. When we were young, we learned a saying that we learned to be false: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Clearly, this is false. Words can tear us down like no other weapon. But they can also build up and be used for good. God Himself used words to create everything in the universe. There is great power in words. And since we are made in God’s image, our words also hold power. Words start wars and spread peace. They rile up and calm down. 
  2. Our words can do great damage (vv. 6–8). … Even when we don’t intend to do harm with our words, we can accidentally start a fire. This is why the tongue needs to be tamed. But it is a difficult beast to tame, as it is a poison that works slowly over time. The more we let it loose, the more it affects our lives and who we are. The tongue holds great power, and as we all learned from Uncle Ben, “with great power, comes great responsibility.” Sometimes we forget the power we can exert on others with our words and we do damage without intending too simply because we neglected to reign in our tongue. 
  3. Our words toward people reveal our attitude toward God (v. 9). … When you call an artwork ugly or a waste of material, you aren’t insulting just the art, but also the artist. We, all people, were made by God and in His image. He is the artist who created us all and when we insult each other, we insult God. 
  4. Our words should reflect our faith (v.10). … Our words should be consistent and reflect who we are. Our words need to be real and authentic with our own voice and our own thoughts and ideas. Altogether, that should reflect our faith. 

 

Four ways to use your words more wisely this week: 

  1. Pause before you speak. … Consider your words. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. Consider enforcing a five second rule for yourself. When a conversation heats up, take five seconds and pray and search out the right words. 
  2. Build up, don't tear down. … Again, words are powerful. They can build up or tear down. We can be in either the construction business or the demolition business. Choose construction. Look for someone this week who you can encourage and build up. 
  3. Be consistent throughout the week. … Don’t change who you are based on your location or circumstance. Don’t use language at work or anywhere else that you would be ashamed of sharing in your connection group. 
  4. Speak with convictional kindness. … Never compromise on your convictions and the Word of God, but always speak in loving kindness. Speak the truth, but do so in away that expresses God’s love. 

 

For Further Study/Resources Used to Prepare This Message

  • James by David Platt (Christ-Centered Exposition)
  • The Letter of James by Douglas J. Moo (Pillar)
  • James by Craig Blomberg & Mariam Kamell (Zondervan)
  • James: Faith That Works by R. Kent Hughes (Crossway)
  • BibleProject — “James Overview” video