Faith that Speaks • 09.15.24

Jack Flaherty   -   September 15, 2024

James 3

Faith that Speaks

Why we need Jesus to fix our mouths

1. Words have power and we all stumble in many ways
2. Tongues cause problem and no human can tame it
3. Wisdom makes peace but only if from above

Good morning! My name is Jack Flaherty, and I am blessed to serve as one of the pastors at Harvest and am very excited to open up God’s Word together this morning. Before we do, lets dismiss our 4^th-5^th graders. The rest of us open our Bibles to James 3 as we continue in our series titled Faith that Works. Ushers and Bibles. We’re continuing to build on what we have seen thus far in the book, that if we’ve been given a new heart and are part of the family of God then the outward fruit of our lives ought to reflect that inward reality–bearing the family resemblance!

Nick laid that out for us with the following word picture:

Faith that works DOES NOT mean faith + works = salvation

Faith that works DOES mean authentic faith produces good works which are fruit, not the source, of salvation.

Remember that James writes to a bunch of believers reminding them their conduct matters. Even, or especially, in the midst’s of hard times their faith will be evidence by good fruit. As Nick laid out beautifully for us last week YES those who are following Jesus are forgiven of sin and called into his family and under the law of liberty (2:12). We are not saved by what we do! BUT as James 2 leaves off saying “show me faith apart from works and I will show you faith by my works because faith apart from works is like a spirit without a body, DEAD!”

Today James 3 picks up where we left off with this same idea but talking about as specific fruit that is extremely important: speech that proceeds from faith. Thus our sermon title today is Faith that Speaks. So let’s switch up the word picture a little bit:

Faith that speaks does not mean faith + speech = salvation

Faith that speaks does mean authentic faith produces good speech which is a fruit not a source of salvation

This has actually come up earlier in James 1:19-20, 26; 2:12. James is NOT saying speech produces faith. We can’t talk our way into heaven! However, if we truly have faith, then we are truly saved and we will show that reality through the way we speak. And speech is an important thing to God in part because the God of the Bible is the God that speaks! He spoke creation into existence and still upholds is by the power of his word. God spoke to our fathers through the prophets and still speaks to us through his Son, revealed in the Bible by the Holy Spirit. Further, God placed his image on mankind and one of the ways we image God is our ability to communicate!

Here is the problem though, no one perfectly reflects God with their speech. BUT if you hear my voice you got two options. One, you might be spiritually dead, meaning no faith, and you’re in need of saving by Jesus. Two, you’re spiritually alive, saved by faith, and are still needing sanctified by Jesus. Either way, no matter which of these two groups you’re in, we need Jesus to help our mouths speak the way he created them to! We will discuss three reasons Why we need Jesus to fix our mouths. Read James 3:1-5. First we need Jesus to fix our mouths because…

1. Words have power and we all stumble in many ways

We will come right back to the first two verses, but I want to look at v3-5 first. We see three different illustrations here in the text. We see a horse and a bit, a boat and rudder, and a small fire in a forest. What all three of these illustrate is that our words have incredible power. These little things have great impact. V5 uses the Greek words micro and mega! Don’t want to overdo the contrast but there is clear emphasis that a small thing has a big impact! We see this in two specific ways per the illustrations. Our speech can…

• Direct/misdirect— The horse and the boat both show that a small thing can direct in a huge way. Proverbs 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death…” Just personally think about some of the key things that have been said to you in your life. Or about some of the things you have said. Where have you seen the impact, positive or negatively? Our words can uplift, guide to truth, and be an incredible blessing. Or they can absolutely vile, false, and bring on incredible destruction! They are not insignificant!
• Spread like wildfire—The fire illustration shows that our words spread powerfully and quickly. Last year we saw the Hawaii fires, especially in Lahaina on the island of Maui, that did such incredible damage. 17,000 acres damaged, $5.5 billion in damage, and worst of all 102 people dead. God had James compare our words to that? WOW! Now it is true things can go viral and that be a positive thing. But more often than not what spreads quickly is negative. More on that in a minute. But suffice it to say, words have power!

This power is exactly the reason why v1-2 exist. It says not many should teach because with great power comes great responsibility. Those who teach invite strict judgement! Now to be fair this word “teachers” is probably directed towards those who hold a role of teaching in the church. Nonetheless, it goes on to include everyone. So we need to be slow to open up our mouths because what comes out has power and consequences. We just talked about this back in James 1:19 “Know this my beloved brother: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;” Don’t be so quick to teach.

Do you find yourself to be a teacher? Thinking in terms of two categories.

• Formal teachers (Pastors, Staff, Ministry leaders, SLGs, mentors, parents): When you have a platform, what you say has a great effect on a lot more people, good and bad. But what’s even more scary than any effect on this Earth, is the fact that God almighty in heaven is judging teachers more strictly! That adds to the necessity of being careful with what comes out of your mouth as a teacher. Not just in the teaching moment but what you say outside…is it consistent? Another formal teach role is parenting. What are you saying?
• Informal teachers (anyone who thinks they are a teacher): This really is anytime you open your mouth, or communicate digitally, on a matter! We all fit this category. Hang with me. The Bible does speak a lot about one another’s, about seeking advice, and giving counseling to your brother. We are supposed to do that. Don’t stop. But understand that once you offer up some advice, you have assumed this role of a teacher. And in that God will judge you a little more strictly. So, make sure that you have thought through clearly what you are saying. Don’t be a hasty Monday morning QB and say “do this or do that” without taking time to understand that your perspective of the game may be as hurtful as it is helpful. So be careful before we speak.

This stricter judgement is emphasized even further in v2. Not only are they powerful, but v2 says we all stumble in speech! James with the first-person plural even admits his own struggles! You might even say that speech is the hardest thing to keep from sin! The text cannot make it any clearer. It literally says not many should teach because in MANY ways we ALL stumble. Jack, how do you know that about me? Because v2 says if we don’t struggle with speech, we’d be perfect head to toe. Anyone claiming that? AND the text gets a bit sassy “if anyone can keep from sinning THIS one is perfect.” The structure makes it assumed negative answer and I think comes across as sarcasm. If we control our tongue, we are perfect. But ya cant, so you’re not!

There is good news. The Bible affirms in 1 John 1:8-9 “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” BUT “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we are honest and confess to God, he will cleanse us! If we pretend to be perfect, we stay dirty. If we recognize we are imperfect, we are cleansed. This is like what Nick talked about with looking at the mirror. Christ is our mirror, when we look at Him we should see something that needs fixed. If we see and do nothing about it, that makes no sense! So why do we need Jesus to fix our mouths? Because we are not perfect! And we will find ourselves teaching and thus facing judgement. So we need his grace to forgive us when we fail and we need his grace to empower us to lessen the ways in which we stumble.

Where might you need to slow down or even just shut your mouth? Don’t assume the role of teacher or even step out. Where do you need to exercise caution? Speak up but consider the judgement which you bring and make sure the words reflect what God would want. Is there anything you need to admit stumbling in? Repent and ask Jesus Christ for help. Anywhere you need to give credence to people who are saying “hey based on your speech we got some heart stuff to deal with”? Or maybe for us we need to speak that into someone’s life. Listen and let those words have power in the right direction. We’re not perfect. There is One who is perfect who offers us help. He is also the judge who knows the standard. Jesus Christ. He is not out to get you BUT he is out to make sure that Christians represent him well with their speech because words are powerful, and in light of our stumbling we need his help. Which brings us to a second reason we need Jesus to fix our mouths. Let’s read James 3:6-12. We need Jesus because…

1. Tongues cause problems and no human can tame it

Not only are these little things powerful AND we stumble, but those stumbles are more than just us losing balance and then moving on. They cause problems that don’t just disappear. The fire idea alluded to this earlier in v5. But in case that wasn’t clear before it’s expanded up on in v6 and what we see is incredible in the worst way possible. First problem is that the tongue is incendiary. That little thing ruins everything! Whole body. Whole life. Set on fire by hell! Yikes!

There is a second problem, no one can tame this powerful tongue. We see in v7-8 that humans, who were indeed called to exercise dominion over all the things (shout out Genesis 1) have indeed done that. Except for one wild, restless, poisonous creature, the tongue. The use of “restless” here refers back to James 1:8 about a double minded and unstable man OR the idea of a tongue speaking without faith. That’s a problem to have something that powerful and destructive and have NO ability to keep it in check on our own human abilities!

Then a third problem, the duplicitous nature of the tongue. Hypocrisy. As my buddies in high school would say “you’re talking out both sides of your mouth.” We see in v9-12 the tongue is used for blessing and cursing. More specifically blessing the Lord who is the creator of all things and then cursing the very people who are made in the image of the Creator. Next time you wanna use speech to tear down remember this person was made in God’s image to remind you of God and to bring him glory. This in fact is probably the strongest focus of the whole chapter for James. Though not officially an imperative the structure and word choice is meant to convey the same idea as an exclamation point. NO WAY MY  BROTHERS SHOULD THIS BE HAPPENING! It should not be possible. The text gives us this illustration of water springs and plants. Showing that from the freshwater source, salt water can’t come out. Actually the word here is bitter water, I think intended to reflect the idea of bitter speech. From a plant, you don’t get a different fruit. One thing cannot produce two different things. A bad thing can’t produce a good thing and vice versa.

So this ought to be a wake-up call for these Christians, and for us today as well. See the potential problems that can come from our tongue! Did you know that that harsh word with your child, no matter how tired or grumpy or whatever, sets a world of unrighteousness ablaze? Did you know that shout in the car about others on the road or frustrating message received stains your whole body even if no one heard? Christians should not be the people who say one thing on social media then another in person. Or who excuse tone and tenor because it wasn’t personal. Kids/students say one thing about a person at school then another at home. For all of us use mouths one way at church and then another in the hood. Not only that, did you know you cannot just button down and try better and fix your speech on your own? Even worse James says our whole life set on fire by hell when any of these problems show up. THIS OUGHT NOT BE SO!

So what do we do? We cannot do this on our own! We need someone more than human, though certainly not less. We need the God-man Jesus Christ of Nazareth! He tamed his tongue and empowered us to do the same! What Are Mouths For? kids book says “Jesus has a mouth just like me. Jesus always used his mouth to tell the truth and to love others. Jesus used his mouth to say ‘yes’ to God’s plan. A plan to forgive me for any wrong I do. So if I use my mouth to sin, I can say ‘I’m sorry.’ If I trust Jesus, God always forgives me.” Our words are very powerful. Apart from the redeeming work of Christ we’re hopeless. So ask him to help! If you’re convicted, the Holy Spirit is pointing out change. Let God work on you while you humbly submit to him. Which brings us to our final reason shown in James 3:13-18. We need Jesus to fix our mouths because…

1. Wisdom makes peace but only if from above (v13-18

Now this incredible section may seem like a unique switch to go from talking about the tongue to talking about wisdom. But in fact this helps us not only with speech but sets us up for next week where fighting/quarreling is the focus. Discussing wisdom makes total sense when we think about what we have heard in James so far: the importance of faith that works. Our works or our conduct don’t earn us a right standing with God. But it should be evidence of our right relationship with God. What is wisdom if not the God given ability of transformed heart to discern and practice God’s will. Using what’s in your brain to spur into action. If you have saving knowledge of God put that into action AND we can’t speak well unless we are wise!

So V 13 set it all up asking “Who is wise?” Answer those who have good conduct. James specifies the type of good conduct that is appropriate: “Wisdom produces works and these works are characterized by meekness.” Meekness is also understood as submitted to or humility. Submitting is an action on our part. Its entrusting our hearts to God. We submit ourselves to something outside of ourselves. So our good works, good conduct, comes from a submission to wisdom. Not just any wisdom but v. 15 and v17 tells us from above! Similar to 1:17 which reminds us that every good & perfect gifts come down from above.

Then v. 14-17 compare and contrast wisdom from God vs. wisdom that is not from God, which we will come right back to. And v18 spells out the results of Godly wisdom: a harvest of righteousness. The word for harvest is actually “fruit.” Meaning that we will really show the fruit of our faith by speech that is in the meekness of wisdom. OR we will really show fruit of lack of faith by speech that is in jealous and selfishness. We will really show the fruit of our faith by speech that is about making peace. OR we will really show fruit of lack of faith by speech that makes arguments and fights and is competitive. You see that idea as we consider the description of the fruit of righteousness (which is a phrase worth pondering). That harvest is marked by two things, and peaceful environment and a peaceful person. Do you see that? Sown in peace (that’s the manner) by those who make peace (that’s the person). There is good/blessings associated with those who humbly submit to God and his ways. When we meekly submit to God’s wisdom we wisely speak. We are peaceful people who create peaceful environments for Gods righteousness to grow, ripen to maturity, and be harvested.

Submitting to Godly wisdom has the potential to produce this peace in us and around us by the grace of God. But we ask the question, why do we need Jesus? Because this wisdom can’t come from without us or around us on this earth. It must be from above as v15 and 17. In fact lets observe the way these two pictures of wisdom are described.

If we fail to submit to something outside of ourselves, we are lying about being wise, at least in Godly wisdom. We see in v14 that this wisdom is actually, as would make sense, is motivated by our sinful hearts. It’s the opposite of humility–pride. Motivation is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition! Then v15 describes this as earthy, unspiritual, and demonic. YIKES! And that choice of failing to submit, leads to what? v.16 “disorder and every vile practice” Wow!

So, what is Godly wisdom? It comes down from above as v15 and v17 say. As we already heard is motivated by God centered meekness or humility. And it results in the harvest or fruit of righteousness and peace. That’s not to mention the impressive list in v17 which has some neat alliteration. One commentator said, “James doesn’t just define Godly wisdom he celebrates it with rhetorical melody.”

• Pure—without defect, or HOLY or set apart. Do you look like everyone else or something that stands out as chaste and clean?
• Peaceable—free from worry within and conflict without, Do you love & pursue peace?
• Gentle—yielding, courteous, tolerant. Are you abrasive or receptive?
• Reasonable—or open to reason, willing to yield. Do you stay stuck or let truth win?
• Merciful—compassion, care for others.
• Fruitful—doing the works that evidence faith
• Impartial—unwavering, not changing mind based on their desires or situation, contrasting the unstable double mindedness of worldly wisdom
• Sincere—no hypocrisy, doing what is right and honest

IDK about you, but when I see that ungodly wisdom leads to THAT, I am convinced that humbling myself to Godly wisdom is the way to go AND I am convicted of ways to grow in evidencing by good conduct true meekness of wisdom. Christian should be growing like a tree that is the planting of the Lord AND bearing fruit that exemplifies the kind of tree we in fact are. You wanna see the Spirit do a work on your heart, meditate on these realities.

Seek the wisdom from above! Practically what does that look like? Submission to Biblical authority, Biblical community, and respond to conviction of the Spirit on your heart.  Be a peacemaker. How? First submit to God as this fruit will be produced in you. Then do you part as God provides this wisdom to use your Words to GLORIFY God, not FIGHT with others. Ending fights would make you a peacemaker. How? Stop talking and star praying! Too often we want to justify ourselves or someone else and we end up looking like fools. We try to protect or make sure people align perfectly with our perspective and instead we hurt the name of Jesus. We claim Christ yet looking like the world. Speaking of prayer, pray for this for our kids and their kids and their kids’ kids. That they would be this kind of human being asking Jesus for help and exhibiting these characteristics! Then model by how you make peace with them, not the way the world would in sarcasm or shouting, but God-centered wisdom marked by rightoueness.

We can’t fake this. We can’t do it on our own. Let me illustrate with one of Aesop’s fables. Once upon a time, a donkey found a lion’s skin. He tried it on, strutted around, and frightened many animals. Soon a fox came along, and the donkey tried to scare him, too. As the fox ran away the donkey brayed in pride. Hearing the donkey’s voice, the Fox stopped, turned and said, “I might have been frightened if you kept your mouth shut. You gave yourself away by your voice.” Aesop’s moral: Clothes may disguise a fool, but his words will give him away.

On our own we are no lion. Just a proud self-seeking donkey trying to cover ourselves up. BUT we don’t need to pretend. When we turn to Jesus to fix not just our mouths but our whole being we become brand new! We are no longer messing around with fake skin, we are covered in the blood and righteousness of Christ from the inside out we are made new. So loved ones lets walk like that! brothers and sisters, evidence an authentic faith by your speech. Bear the righteousness harvest of your salvation sown by the one who shed his blood so we could be covered, not as pretenders but as full fledged part of his body!

If you’re struggling with speech, welcome to the club. BUT know that Jesus offers help. Not just with our mouths but the thing which controls our mouths, our hearts. He gave himself up for us so that if we believe in him not only might we be saved from our sin but we will be cleansed and given a new mouth that increasingly reflects him. We thank Jesus for his sacrifice which makes it possible to have faith that speaks.

Today we get to show that thanks in a special way as we partake of Lords Supper. This is a time where we see the gospel in front of us through the remembrance of his broken and shed blood, which bread and cup represent. In this time we look back to what Jesus did on the cross, look inward dealing with sin, to look around at the family brothers and sisters for whom Christ died, and we look forward to eating the meal with him in eternity.

Before we partake, a couple of important notes. First, we welcome all believers. But if you have not repented and placed your faith in Christ then we ask you consider the message of the gospel and respond obediently or let the elements pass by. Also, we heed the Biblical warnings of not only being a believer, but of dealing with unconfessed sin and disunity in the body. Jesus died to deal with sin so we ought not hide it nor sit here with divisions or issues between Christians unaddressed. As I invite the ushers forward and worship team up and the elements are passed, I invite you to take some time to reflect and deal between you and the Lord (and others if needed). After all are served I will come up, pray, and then we take it all together.

PRAY.

In 1 Cor 11:23-34, Paul relays to us what he received from the Lord, recalling that night Jesus was betrayed. Jesus took the bread and gave thanks and breaking it said “this is my body, which is for you. Eat this in remembrance of me.” Let’s eat together. In the same way he took the cup saying “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. As often as you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” Let’s drink together. Hallelujah! Thank you, Jesus! Let’s stand together and sing to our loving God.