Worldwide Outreach Teaching School

Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi

Walking Out in Trust of Wisdom – Taming the Tongue -Words

Scriptures: James 3:1-12

1, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged morestrictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is ever at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.

5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full ofdeadly poison. 9 with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with itwe curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10, out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt [Greek: bitter (see also verse 14)] water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.’

Preface:

James who wrote this epistle was the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3), and the leader of the church in Jerusalem (Acts 12:17; Gal 1:19). 3:1-12 is talking about the Wisdom of words. Our attitude must be taming our tongue.

Tony Dungy said, ‘Hallelujah! I’m a Christian Coach.’ When the world praises him, Tony Dungy said, ‘How do you think?’ He meant that Glory to God that made him a victor.

Who never said any wrong words? No body else, but we can control our words. Do we?

Commentary:

1. ‘We who teach will be judged morestrictly’: Why is a stricter judgment placed upon teachers? Are they hypocritical or over-educated? How does this relate to taming the tongue?

James meant teacher’s words influent others very much, because in the Jews’ culture, teachers are respected by people. There were many Jews who accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, they wanted to be a teacher for sharing the gospels, James praise them that teaching ambitions are nice, but teachers have great influence, they will be held more accountable. (Matthew 23:1-33; Luke 20:46-47, Hebrew 13:17). In Matthew 23:1-33 says Jesus is only one called teacher, we should not be called ‘teacher’. We are to be humble to each other and acting out to be likeness of Jesus Christ. We should talk proper language in order to lead others to have right actions. This is the most important responsibilities of the teachers’ duty.

‘A perfect man’ Since the tongue is so difficult to control; those who control it perfectly gain control of themselves in all other areas of life as well. We have to think before speaking out. We have to speak words in a proper time say the proper words, do not say more or less. Taming self tongue, do not judge others, praise myself or blame others.

‘A world of evil’: It’s a tongue of less-control. Like the world in its folly, corrupts the whole person.. Because the tongue is the cause of so many sins. (Matthew 7:20-23)

‘Set on fire by hell: The less-control tongue means the source of the tongue’s evil is the devil (John 8:44), because devil’s deceitful influence by being oriented toward Satan, they are set on fire by hell. In Matthew 5:22 says, ‘anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. Hell is the place which the wicked dead go and suffer. (Luke 16:20-23). Satan could destroy our brothers and sisters relationship as set on fire to damage us. We have to tame our tongues by being patience with one another. Be cautious what we say, even when we made a mistake, we said, ‘I am sorry but it still hurt others already just like you set a small fire already, it will go further. Stop it! Before speak out.

‘It is a restless evil, full of deadly poisons’: Wrong words like poison. How did I control myself to not say the wrong words?

I asked the Holy Spirit control my tongue, guide me to feedback what I just said and cautious me what I am going to say. Let God take revenge when someone is cursing me. I never took revenge by myself. That really helped me to avoid saying wrong words again.
I prefer not to say any word instead of talk too much. I would keep quiet when the word will hurt someone. I will keep silent when I am in a bad mood.

‘In God’s likeness’ Since humans have been made like God (Genesis 1:26-27), to curse a human being is to show contempt (侮辱) for God (Genesis 9:6). Therefore, in killing a human being is a murderer demonstration contempt for God. That is why ‘whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed’ (Ge. 9:6).

7. None of a fig-tree bears olives, or a grapevine bear figs. Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water (vv.11-12).’ Only a renewed heart can produce pure speech. Therefore, we all need to confess, repent and ask the Holy Spirit flows over us and the blood of Christ cleanses us.

Conclusions:

Tongue of Less-control (vv.7-8): You need to ask Jesus for help. He came to the world, humble Himself and he carried the humans sins and bare our weakness, by asking him give you power to control your tongue, He will change you.

Tongue of Not Consistent (vv.:9-12): Jesus died on the cross, if you believe in him, your old will be nail on the cross, the Holy Spirit will renewed you became a new born person. Old has gone and you will experience a new born person. Than you will enjoy to praise people as you praise God, not cursing God’s creatures.

Learning perfection: I will speak less than before, ‘When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. (Pr.10:19)

Point:

1. Its too good to p i e God. Whatever happened that we p i e God,

2. Thanks God’s providing. Life is a journey; even I have cancer, thanks God. This is God’s giving chance that I have learned something new. For example, The competition of the ball game, I saw a group lose at the beginning, but later on this group is a winner.

3. ‘A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver (Pr. 25:11). That meant words are of much value.

4. .Words can influence others for a long time: They are two kinds of words:

a. Positive words influence people, and they influence for people for a long time.

b. Negative words influence people badly.

5. Praise God, I have said something that influence others. We must learn the Effect of Pygmalion.

a. Obeyingall circumstance, we must trust and obey.

b. Controlour tongues

c, Be a positive talker.

Prayer:

‘Dear Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, I accept you as my personal savior, please forgive me the hardened heart, renew me a soft heart, make me a person that you want me to be. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen!’

Questions:

Would you like to have more times of silence and focus on Jesus? Would you like by memorizing God’s Words? What scriptures you like best?

If you put the chicken feathers on the street, what will happen tomorrow?

‘My Name Is Gossip’: It is a book to describe that who loves to talk about all kinds of Gossip. Would you like change the name of this book to ‘My Name Is No Gossip’?

Songs:

Do Not Judge by Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi, arranged from the music book #1, C-1, Worldwide Outreach Teaching School.

Control Your Words by Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi, arranged from the music book#1, C-3 of WOTS.

Sweet Words like Honey by Dr. Meiman Lai Saidi, arranged from the music book #1, C-7 of WOTS.