“The Tongue’s Arson”

James 3:1-12 Oct.18, 2009    Play AUDIO (mp3)  Play VIDEO (wmv)

●    JAMES’ CALL FOR CONSISTENCY

    ○    hypocrisy obvious to those near us
    ○    inconsistency of church officials also frustrating
    ○    James calls for actions to match beliefs (1:21f, 26; 2:1, 14; 4:8,17)
    ○    not right for tongue to issue both praise and cursing (3:9-12)

●    OUR CAUSTIC CONTAMINANT

    ○    tongue a fire / restless evil (5ff; Prov 16:27, 26:18-21)
    ○    ignited by hell, untamable, full of poison (6ff; Jn 8:44)
    ○    huge relational breaches caused by little word slips

●    THE PILOT’S HANDS-ON CONTROL

    ○    bridles / rudders effect major changes though small (2ff)
    ○    control of tongue possible with help of Holy Spirit, change in heart (Gal 5:23; Rom 6:11-14; Mt 12:33f)
    ○    Spirit’s filling changes coarse talk to thankfulness to God (Eph 5:4, 8, 10, 17-20)
    ○    Prayer of St. Patrick ‘breastplate’ putting on Christ

●    FEW WORDS - BIG DIFFERENCE

    ○    kind words to self-conscious cashier very significant