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Introduction There's something about the power of words - they can cause great healing or great pain. A Yale University study determined the 12 most persuasive words in the English language. They are: You, Money, Save, New, Results, Easy, Health, Safety, Discovery, Proven, and Guarantee. Someone tried to use all of these words in a single slogan and came up with: "You can save money with Germ-Gone, the easy-to-use, new discovery that guarantees your health and safety. You'll love the result." The ad says: "People judge you by the words you use - to build a powerful vocabulary you need Verbal Advantage." I would change it to: "God judges by the words you speak." Luke 12:1-3 Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3 What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. Matthew 12:36 36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the Day of Judgment for every careless word they have spoken. Recently someone admitted to me that: "My mouth always gets me into trouble." That's what we're going to talk about today - the mouth. Verse 1 James says we should be very careful because teachers are judged by the words they speak - and more harshly because they are explaining the Word of God. The King James renders it "masters". The idea is someone who sets themselves up as someone who can lead by word and example. Like a master painter or master electrician. The "more strict judgment" suggests that some are teaching and leading in ways contrary to God - claiming that they represent God. Verse 2 James acknowledges that it is impossible to be perfect - and that if we could just speak only the right things, we would never falter. To "stumble" and "at fault" are the same word - it means "to trip." This is the conclusion of the next 10 verses. Verses 3 - 12 False Teachers Interestingly - James focus here may be less on us as believers, than on false teachers. The analogy is that even as bits guide horses, and rudders guide ships, so too teachers speaking words guide the body of Christ. And just as a very small spark can cause a very great forest fire (which we've seen a lot of lately - Rat Creek Fire as example) so too a seemingly small false teaching can have very great and deadly effects in the body - destroying Christians right and left. Teachings filled with tainted words originating with the Devil instead of the Lord - can bring about great destruction in the church. How do we know? o Know the Word o Know the source o Trust the great teachers and the already accepted truths Galations 1:6-9 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel- 7 which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned! o Search the Scriptures (remember the Bereans from Acts 17:11) o Don't take anything at face value o Look to the standard of God's wisdom (we'll get to that later) False Words But I think there is also good application for us as we relate to each other. o What you say matters o Your words can heal or hurt o So our words should be consistent with who we are Ephesians 4:29 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Stop to think before you speak - is what you are about to say going to build someone up, draw them closer to God, is what they need? Or is it something building up inside of you (such as anger) or something designed to get them to do what you want to satisfy your need? Overall: We tend to downplay what we say - but it is as important as what we do. In all things - spoken and acted out - we need to have pure hearts and motivations. When we see both evil and good come from us we need to take note and make changes, using wisdom from above as our guide for character and direction. Verse 13 - 16 The "who" at the beginning refers to false teachers James was arguing against. They apparently felt that they could teach the Christian community - but the fruit of their words is bad. God's wisdom Satanic wisdom Humility Bitter envy, selfish ambition Good deeds Favoritism But there is an application for us as well - we need to question our motivations. Ask yourself - why do I want this, really and truly in my heart of hearts. "Bitter envy and selfish ambition" = acrid jealousy and intrigue or faction You want it so bad it brings up gall into your throat - and not only that you want it at the cost of someone else. Watch out because the character results from that kind of behavior comes from three dangerous sources: Earthly - not up to God's standards, arrayed against God Unspiritual - bereft of God's Spirit - just "alive" but not "living" Of the devil - from Greek word used for the 1st time here - orchestrated by Satan On the contrary, wisdom, real wisdom brings about humility - the more we know about God the more we know how imperfect we are and the less likely we are to boast about ourselves and give in to the demonic motivations that so pervade our world. Verse 17 One of my favorite sections of the Bible. It gives us a real concrete way to tell if something we are getting comes from God. How often do we say: "God told me this or that" or "God shut the door" or "God opened the door." I am telling you - it is very difficult to tell the difference between God shutting a door, and Satan throwing up a roadblock. What we really need to do is pray earnestly for God to reveal His wisdom, then judge the wisdom we get based on what James tells us is God's wisdom. God's Wisdom Greek Meaning Idea Worldly counterpart Pure Innocent, clean, modest, perfect Will not lead to sin Tainted by worldly values Peace loving Root: quiet, rest (pacific) Leads to peace, not unrest Troubling, unsettling Considerate Gentle, appropriate, mild - just Not harsh, or brutal, makes common sense Way out there, not logical Submissive Good for persuasion Can be explained - especially in light of God's Word Inscrutable. Questionable doctrine Mercy & good fruit Mercy=compassion Brings about God's kingdom - reveals and encourages His character No fruit for God, only for self Impartial Undistinguished Opposite of "double minded" Doesn't favor one side or the other based on worldly values Favoritism Sincere Not pretended True to the core, not a surface show Encourages make-belief Verse 18 Perhaps James concludes this way - by telling us that if we follow God's wisdom, it is the way of peace - not strife or envy. That kind of life brings in it's wake God's character - a character that will plant seeds and bear fruit in others. What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind - don't be afraid to question your motives, and question God to get His wisdom. Then act on it. We could draw four things out of this chapter: o Teach like God would - with humility and truth o Speak like God would - to build and fulfill others o Act like God would - without selfish motivations o Think like God would - with peace, righteousness, and mercy as your guide |
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