Sermon: "Small, but Powerful, #1" The Power to Direct
Scripture:
Introduction: Notorious Gossip
A pastor gave an account of a church member who was a notorious gossip who would "hang on the phone" most of the day, sharing tidbits with any and all who listen.
One day she came to her pastor and said, "Pastor. The Lord has convicted me of my sin of gossip. My tongue is getting me and others into trouble."
Since she had gone through this routine before, the pastor was concerned that she might not be sincere, Therefore, he guardedly asked, "Well what do you plan to do?"
"I want to put my tongue on the altar," she replied with pious fervor.
Calmly the pastor responded, "There isn't an altar big enough," and he left her to think it over.
Apparently, the Christians that James was writing to were also having big problems with their tongues. In James 1:19 we read, "This you know, my beloved brethren, But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger." Though it is small, the human tongue has tremendous potential for good or evil.
In chapter three, James deals with the powers of the tongue with six pictures. Today we will begin to look at the importance of controlling our speech, picturing the tongue as a bit and a rudder - the Power to Direct.
The Power to Direct
I. Picture 1 - Bit
First let's look at James's picture of a bit. We are talking about the little bit that fits in the mouth of a horse to direct the horse where the rider wants him to go.
This picture of a bit actually goes back to chapter one, verse 26. Read. 26If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." Read verse two of chapter three. 2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. The verb is bridle which mean to control. The bit in the next verse is the noun form of bridle. It refers to the whole bridle and reins, as well as the bit, even though only the bit itself goes into the horse's mouth. Read verse three. 3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
James is saying that what is true of horses is also true of men and women. "If we control their mouths, we can get them to be obedient and as a result, turn and direct their whole bodies in the direction we desire.
Do you think James is correct in associating the sins of the tongue with sins committed by the entire body? I do, especially when we realize that words usually lead to deeds. A person may speak carelessly and then find himself in a fight. Because of the tongue, the whole body may defend itself. An uncontrolled tongue often results in an uncontrolled life. A controlled tongue may result in a controlled life.
II. Picture 2 - Rudder
James has not only selected the small bit, but also pictures small rudder which can also exercise great power, like the tongue. Some ancient Greek authors often coupled the illustrations of the bit and the rudder. Read verse 4. 4Or 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.
From the picture of a small rudder directing a large ship James illustrates the control the tongue has over a person's whole life. As the rider's pressure on the horse's bit changes the direction of his horse, pressure on a very small rudder may change the course of a great ship. Note the contrast here between a very small rudder and a great ship.
Years ago Aristotle used the same picture. "A rudder is small, and it is attached to the very end of the ship, but it has such power that by this little rudder and by the power of one man - and that power gently exerted - the great bulk of ships can be moved."
Similarly, in verse five, we see that the tongue is small, but it makes arrogant claims for itself. (Barclay) In writing of the rudder James pointed out that the rudder needs to direct the ship in the midst of strong winds. The implication is also that the bit is used to overcome another contrary force, the wild nature of the horse.
Likewise, the human tongue of the Christian has contrary forces to overcome, that is the old sinful nature. We may be tempted to say things we should not say. Because of this, the tongue needs to be kept under control, lest we say the wrong things, or lest we say right things in a wrong way.
Many years ago wise Solomon warned, (Proverbs 18:21) "Death and life are in the power of the tongue." David prayed, (Psalm 141:3,4) "Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil things." Our Lord Jesus put it like this, (Matthew 12:34) "For the mouth speaks out of what fills the heart."
Have you really made Jesus the Lord of your heart? Then he should also be the Lord of your lips. Have you given Jesus Christ the control of your tongue? Yes, like the small bit and rudder have the power to direct, so does the tongue. What we say and how we say it affects the lives of others. Consider a few examples:
A Judge - guilty or not guilty
A President - Policy that may affect all of us
Parents "Yes" and "No." - Affect the direction of our kids
Teachers in SS, church and schools
In verse one James wrote, "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren…" James is not commanding us to keep from becoming teachers, but is emphasizing the power teachers have to direct lives. The words of a teacher may leave an indelible impression for good or evil. When James wrote this practical little letter it was the ambition of many Jewish parents to have their sons trained to be Rabbis - Jewish teachers.
James is writing as a teacher, himself, pointing out the dangers and responsibilities of teachers. He is not writing to discourage those who are indeed called by God to teach, but seeking to impress upon us the privilege and awesome responsibility of this calling. One who effectively teaches must practice what he teaches. A poor teacher could turn persons away fro Christ, while a good teacher may lead persons to Christ. We are accountable.
As James continues in verse 2 and in the pictures of the bit and rudder he is no longer speaking just to "official teachers." He says that the Christian must admit, "we all stumble in many ways" and it is often with the tongue that we stumble.
Conclusion
We are instructed to seriously consider the influence of our words whether we are speaking to one person, a small group, or a large group of people.
Through Peter's words on the Day of Pentecost 3,000 persons became Christians. Jesus spoke to one woman at the well and her life was transformed which affected her neighbors. A Sunday School teacher went into a shoe store and led a young man to Christ - a young man who became a great evangelist through whom many came to Christ.
Remember, our tongues. Like bits and rudders are small, but mighty, with the power to direct. How is your tongue directing people?
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