The Impassable Tongue Test

Thesis: James' teaching on "taming the tongue" aren't in the Bible to scare or guilt, but to remind us that God's grace extends to every single area and moment of our lives; encouraging us to respond in kind to His amazing care for us as ambassadors of the King.

1. IMPORTANCE OF SPEECH (v. 1)

   • Daily relationships
   • God has spoken to us through Christ and his
     Word and expects us to respond in prayer.
   • As a believer involved in daily Kingdom life,
     our speech is important as representatives
     of righteousness
   • Speech reveals inside and reminds of eternity

2. NEED OF GOSPEL (v. 2)

   • All have sinned, so "mastering the tongue" in
     and of itself doesn't save.
   • True look at our speech is humbling
   • Sinful tongue reminds us of gospel need

3. CALL FOR PERFECT SPEECH (v. 7)

   • Rather than test of speech, James actually
     saying if tongue mastered, than you have to
     perfect the entire body
   • James is showing that none of us can control
     the tongue
   • Only one person had perfect speech : Jesus

4. LIFE-CHANGING POWER (v. 3-6)

   • Our owrds aren't neutral, always have direction
   • Words can tear down or they can encourage
   • "Sticks and stones" = wrong. Words can hurt,
     they have power of life and death

5. SOLUTION TO HEART PROBLEM (v. 9-12)

   • There is a link between the heart and tongue
   • Jesus said what's inside comes out via mouth
   • As with any sin, sinful tongue reflects a
     battle between kingdoms of self and God
   • Solution is thee Word - Jesus
   • Seek Jesus' help - the Bible says there was
     never deceit found in his mouth.