I.        INTRODUCTION

A.      The spoken word is a powerful tool that God has given to man, and it must be used carefully lest its power be used for evil.

                                                             1.      Words have tremendous potential for both good and evil, and this is why they must be chosen carefully and wisely.

                                                             2.      This is why we are admonished by God through James to “be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (Jas. 1:19).

a.       Being too quick to speak is careless, and such carelessness can lead to disaster.

b.       Just consider how devastating a careless word can be to our eternal destiny.  In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus said that we will have to account for such words in the day of judgment.

B.      James elaborated on the power of the tongue in James 3:1-10.

                                                             1.      James compared the tongue to other relatively small things that have great power.

a.       The tongue is like a bit in a horse’s mouth that is able to control the horse’s actions.

b.       The tongue is like a rudder that directs an entire ship.

c.        The tongue is like a small flame that ignites a massive forest fire.

d.       The tongue is only a small member of the body, but it is capable of defiling the entire man.  The Lord said, “Not what enters into the mouth defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man” (Matt. 15:11).

                                                             2.      James said that the tongue cannot be tamed.  This means that there will never be a time when we can cease to be careful in the words we say, for words will always have great power.

C.      Therefore, let us consider some sins of the tongue that we may be aware of the danger within ourselves.  As James wrote, “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (Jas. 1:26).

II.      SINS OF THE TONGUE

A.      Blasphemy is speech that is harsh against God or accuses God of evil.

                                                             1.      The original term “blasphemy” could be used to refer to words spoken against God or man, but typically we use this term only in reference to words spoken against God.

                                                             2.      The sin of blasphemy arises from pride, arrogance, and rebellion against God.  It is the product of a heart that believes it knows better than God.

                                                             3.      Consider some examples of blasphemy:

a.       The Jews blasphemed Christ during His trials while they were beating Him (Luke 22:65).

b.       The Pharisees blasphemed against the Holy Spirit when they accused Jesus of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul (Matt. 12:24-37).

B.      Using the name of God in vain is any careless, irreverent use of the name of the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit.

                                                             1.      Using the name of God in vain is different from blasphemy in that the vain user of God’s name does not necessarily intend to do evil.  Such a person is simply irreverent and fails to recognize the majesty of the one of whom he is speaking.

                                                             2.      Therefore, we must be careful how we use the name of God lest we speak disrespectfully of Him.

a.       Do not use the name of God as an interjection (i.e., “Oh my God,” or “Lordy”).

b.       Do not use the name of God in jokes or fictional stories which make God out to be a mere character of our own creation.

C.      Evil speaking is speech that is directed against one’s fellow man with the intent to do him harm.

                                                             1.      The Greek word katalalia means literally “down speech.”  In modern language, we would say that it is “to put someone down.”

a.       This word is translated in various passages as “backbite,” “revile,” “defame,” “slander,” and “speak against.”

b.       James used this term three times in one verse (Jas. 4:11).

                                                             2.      It is not the place of Christians to go about tearing others down.  We are to destroy all things that come up against the knowledge of God (2Cor. 10:5), but we do not seek to destroy people.

D.      To gossip is to secretly tell derogative stories about a person.

                                                             1.      The difference between one who slanders and one who gossips is that slanderers speak in public and gossipers (or whisperers) speak in private.

                                                             2.      A gossiper is an evil, untrustworthy, and cowardly person who destroys himself and others.

a.       A gossiper uses “dirt” on others to build esteem for himself.  By his gossip, he acquires superficial friends and a sense of power.

b.       A gossiper is evil, and anyone who will gossip to you will also gossip about you.  Do not listen to him, and do not contribute anything to him.

c.        Notice Proverbs 26:20 – “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.”

E.       Complaining is the verbal expression of ingratitude.

                                                             1.      Complaining seems to be the favorite pastime of some people, for they constantly complain about everything and criticize others.  This is no way for a Christian to be.

a.       Paul warned us not to be as the Israelites who complained in the wilderness (1Cor. 10:10).

b.       Rather, we are to “do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Phil. 2:14).  Peter wrote that we should “be hospitable to one another without complaint” (1Pet. 4:9).

                                                             2.      Who are we to complain against God?  He has given us all that we have, and without Him, we are nothing.  Moreover, He has given us His only begotten Son for our salvation.

F.       Lying is to tell or promote that which is false.

                                                             1.      In our age of relativism and situation ethics, to lie is often acceptable.

a.       People often lie to get what they want and see nothing wrong with it.

b.       Lying is a way of life for many who build themselves up with falsehood while destroying others.

                                                             2.      Lying is destructive to the person who tells the lies and those who hear him.

a.       Lying destroys the credibility, character, and integrity of a person.  These are destroyed in an instant by a slip of an untruthful tongue.

b.       Marriages are destroyed, jobs are lost, and people go to jail because of lying.

c.        Worst of all, souls are lost because they fail to control their lying tongues.  See Proverbs 16:16-19; Revelation 21:8.

G.      To curse is to pronounce, invoke, or pray evil upon another person.

                                                             1.      Men are prohibited from cursing others.  Paul wrote, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not” (Rom. 12:14).

                                                             2.      Cursing and judging are reserved for God, for He alone has the knowledge, righteousness, and power both to pronounce and to execute judgment against man.

H.      Filthy language is any speech that expresses or suggests ungodliness, wickedness, or immorality.

                                                             1.      Filthy language is common in our world (via acquaintances, television, radio, etc.), and we are often subjected to it.  Therefore, we must be careful lest we find the same kind of filthy language coming from our own mouths.

                                                             2.      Christians are prohibited from using filthy language.

a.       Filthy language is one of the worldly ways that a person must put aside when he becomes a Christian (Col. 3:5-8).

b.       All filthy language, including “coarse jesting” (dirty joking) is not fitting for the saints of God (Eph. 5:3-5).

                                                             3.      Let us understand that filthy language does not only consist of a list of “four-letter words,” but it also includes other profane language.

a.       All kinds of immorally suggestive speech, which is common on television and in other places, should not be used by Christians.

b.       Beware of other words and phrases (euphemisms) that are used in place of profanity (“gosh,” “darn,” etc.).  Remember that it is not the form of the word used that is the issue, but rather it is the condition of the heart from which the speech comes.

III.   CONCLUSION

A.      Certainly, there are other sins of the tongue that could be considered, but these have demonstrated the wisdom of God from the book of James.  Indeed, “the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity” (Jas. 4:6).

B.      Therefore, let us be careful to control our tongues.  God has blessed us with a powerful tool, so let us use this power for good.

C.