WEBVTT 00:00:00.780 --> 00:00:05.740 Well, good morning, church. Turn with me, if you have a Bible, to the book of James. 00:00:07.679 --> 00:00:19.740 We're continuing in our series this summer, which we've entitled Steadfast in this very practical, down-to-earth book of the New Testament. 00:00:19.739 --> 00:00:30.059 This morning we're reading James chapter 3, verses 1 to 12. So let me read these verses for us. 00:00:33.780 --> 00:00:35.560 James chapter 3, beginning at verse 1. 00:00:35.619 --> 00:00:42.679 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 00:00:42.679 --> 00:00:53.780 For we all stumble in many ways, and if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 00:00:55.119 --> 00:01:01.820 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 00:01:02.859 --> 00:01:10.799 Look at the ships also. Though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder. 00:01:10.799 --> 00:01:17.140 Wherever the will of the pilot directs, so also the tongue is a small member. 00:01:18.039 --> 00:01:19.879 Yet it boasts of great things. 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:24.859 How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 00:01:25.719 --> 00:01:28.560 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. 00:01:28.659 --> 00:01:35.840 The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:46.820 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. 00:01:47.960 --> 00:01:52.020 It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 00:01:53.760 --> 00:02:02.040 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:05.800 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. 00:02:05.860 --> 00:02:08.719 My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 00:02:10.640 --> 00:02:14.939 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening, both fresh and salt water? 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:18.500 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? 00:02:18.560 --> 00:02:23.480 Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:32.839 One of the distinguishing characteristics of human beings, compared to other animals, is our constant use of words. 00:02:34.039 --> 00:02:43.679 According to a study of college students conducted in 2007, the average person studied spoke approximately 16,000 words per day. 00:02:44.479 --> 00:02:47.419 Male or female, there was not a significant difference based on gender. 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:54.239 The range was 800 words for the least talkative person to 47,000 words for the most talkative person. 00:02:55.759 --> 00:02:59.139 But you know, that's only the number of words that come out of our mouths. 00:03:00.279 --> 00:03:05.459 I think today, many of us probably type at least as much as we talk. 00:03:06.219 --> 00:03:08.979 And we read at least as much as we hear. 00:03:08.979 --> 00:03:38.959 Words are everywhere. 00:03:38.979 --> 00:03:40.739 Many of things that we know they'll like to hear. 00:03:41.739 --> 00:03:49.199 Or when somebody offends us, we might tell them off or vent to another friend or post our frustrations on Facebook. 00:03:49.459 --> 00:03:53.959 Or when we're uncomfortable or anxious, we complain and whine. 00:03:54.919 --> 00:03:58.679 When we have a strong opinion or a strong reaction to something, we want to make it known. 00:03:59.399 --> 00:04:04.599 And most of the time, I think we just say what we want to say and go on with our lives. 00:04:04.599 --> 00:04:15.000 I mean, if I really did speak 16,000 words yesterday, or even half or a quarter of that amount, how many of those do I remember today? 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:20.360 We're often careless in how we speak. 00:04:20.360 --> 00:04:28.520 You know, I think we also know that words spoken to us can stay with us for a long time. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:33.660 When I was in elementary school, I remember hearing that old rhyme, 00:04:34.040 --> 00:04:37.580 sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. 00:04:37.579 --> 00:04:43.959 Now, perhaps that statement was meant to express courage and resilience in the face of threats or insults. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:50.759 And courage and resilience are good qualities to cultivate, but it's simply not true to say that words will never hurt. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:56.019 Doug Moo, commenting on this very passage, 00:04:56.019 --> 00:04:57.599 I think in James, I think rightly said, 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:04.079 far easier to heal are the wounds caused by sticks and stones than the damage caused by words. 00:05:05.299 --> 00:05:07.359 I think in most cases that is true. 00:05:08.899 --> 00:05:12.779 The passage we're looking at this morning tells us that our words matter. 00:05:13.919 --> 00:05:15.000 They matter a lot. 00:05:16.339 --> 00:05:18.319 And so we'll look at this passage under three headings. 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:24.839 First, the power of our words in verses 1 through verse 5, the first half of verse 5. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:29.159 And second, the danger of our words from second half of verse 5 to verse 8. 00:05:30.039 --> 00:05:34.299 And third, the inconsistency of our words in verses 9 to 12. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:38.699 So the power of our words, the danger of our words, and the inconsistency of our words. 00:05:39.179 --> 00:05:41.079 First, the power of our words. 00:05:42.559 --> 00:05:49.639 Now, James begins this section in verse 1 with a warning that would have immediately caught his hearer's attention. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:53.239 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:59.639 Now, imagine a doctor speaking to a class of prospective medical school students 00:05:59.639 --> 00:06:04.199 and opening his talk by saying, not many of you should become physicians. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:09.879 Or, you know, I thought if I was speaking to a group of seminary students, 00:06:09.879 --> 00:06:12.360 and if I said, not many of you should become pastors. 00:06:14.139 --> 00:06:14.579 Right? 00:06:14.660 --> 00:06:16.879 You might be surprised to hear things like that. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:18.340 Right? 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:22.779 Verse 1 is not quite what you'd expect to hear from someone who is himself a teacher. 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:23.959 James says we, right? 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:25.639 He identifies himself as a teacher. 00:06:26.019 --> 00:06:28.139 He's talking about teachers in the church particularly. 00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.779 You might expect James to give more of a recruiting pitch. 00:06:31.839 --> 00:06:32.959 We need more teachers. 00:06:34.000 --> 00:06:35.319 You should consider this. 00:06:36.559 --> 00:06:38.939 But James actually felt the need to give a warning 00:06:38.939 --> 00:06:43.480 to those who are aspiring to teach and lead in the Christian church. 00:06:44.899 --> 00:06:48.939 You see, many of the people James was writing to were poor. 00:06:49.459 --> 00:06:50.639 They were being persecuted. 00:06:51.279 --> 00:06:54.620 They were being mistreated by their wealthy landlords and bosses. 00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:57.620 And so the church was one of the few places 00:06:57.620 --> 00:07:00.860 where they could potentially get some respect. 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:05.280 where they might rise to a position of honor and even authority. 00:07:05.900 --> 00:07:06.000 Right? 00:07:06.220 --> 00:07:09.540 In their society, maybe 10% of people could read and write. 00:07:10.520 --> 00:07:14.560 And so teachers who could read and write and speak in public, 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:17.699 especially in the Jewish context, were highly regarded. 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:21.699 But James wanted to remind them, 00:07:21.780 --> 00:07:26.040 being a teacher in the church is not primarily a high honor to enjoy. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:30.420 It's primarily a high responsibility to steward. 00:07:30.860 --> 00:07:36.740 You see, what is the highest honor in the church of Jesus Christ? 00:07:38.720 --> 00:07:40.699 The highest honor in the church of Jesus Christ 00:07:40.699 --> 00:07:42.500 is not standing up at the pulpit, 00:07:42.819 --> 00:07:45.060 being a pastor, being a recognized leader. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:49.600 The highest honor in the church belongs to every single believer in Jesus Christ. 00:07:50.180 --> 00:07:52.340 It's through your connection to Christ, 00:07:52.500 --> 00:07:56.560 you are a child of God and an heir of his heavenly kingdom. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:08:02.660 That is the highest honor you can aspire to or experience anywhere. 00:08:03.980 --> 00:08:06.500 To be a child of the king of the universe. 00:08:06.920 --> 00:08:09.180 To belong to him now and forever. 00:08:10.120 --> 00:08:13.639 There's no higher privilege and honor available to human beings anywhere. 00:08:13.639 --> 00:08:17.659 And so James is reminding us, 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:21.539 if you're dissatisfied with the honor of being a child of God, 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:22.819 don't become a church leader. 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:25.259 Because you won't help yourself or anybody else. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:30.240 James says, no, teaching in the church is a high responsibility. 00:08:30.659 --> 00:08:33.059 We who teach will be held to a higher standard. 00:08:33.059 --> 00:08:36.079 Because we talk a lot. 00:08:37.839 --> 00:08:39.259 And lots of people are listening. 00:08:41.639 --> 00:08:43.500 We all fall short in many ways, 00:08:43.619 --> 00:08:44.919 but when lots of people are listening 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:47.099 and when you're speaking to a lot of people, 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:49.859 you have to be doubly careful. 00:08:53.399 --> 00:08:56.539 James says in this chapter that we who teach must be extra careful 00:08:56.539 --> 00:08:58.759 both about what we say and about how we live. 00:08:58.819 --> 00:09:00.500 If you notice, the first half of this chapter 00:09:00.500 --> 00:09:03.919 that we're looking at today focuses on what we say. 00:09:04.960 --> 00:09:06.480 The second half of this chapter, 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:07.620 what we'll look at next week, 00:09:07.700 --> 00:09:08.659 starting at verse 13, 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:10.039 focuses on how we live. 00:09:10.960 --> 00:09:11.120 Right? 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:14.179 Who is wise and understanding among you by his good conduct, 00:09:14.519 --> 00:09:17.600 let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 00:09:20.059 --> 00:09:22.519 Now, you could take everything that James says 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:23.600 in verses 1 to 12 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:26.480 and apply it specifically to teachers and leaders in the church. 00:09:26.580 --> 00:09:27.960 That would be a fruitful exercise 00:09:27.960 --> 00:09:30.480 for those of us who are teachers and leaders in the church 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:33.060 but I think James is making a more general point. 00:09:33.240 --> 00:09:33.320 Right? 00:09:33.340 --> 00:09:34.860 He starts with a specific warning 00:09:34.860 --> 00:09:37.560 and then he moves to a more general point 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:40.259 that has a broad application to all of us. 00:09:42.200 --> 00:09:42.659 Right? 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:44.000 And he begins by saying, 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:46.240 our words have power. 00:09:47.940 --> 00:09:51.360 Look at the two images he uses in verses 3 and 4. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:53.779 First, verse 3. 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:56.639 A small bit in the horse's mouth 00:09:56.639 --> 00:10:02.399 is the means by which a rider guides the whole body of the horse. 00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.500 And then verse 4. 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:08.620 A small rudder is the means by which the pilot 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:11.100 or the captain guides a large ship. 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:13.560 So in other words, 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.060 James is saying the tongue 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:19.220 sets the pace for the rest of the body. 00:10:19.220 --> 00:10:23.540 If we learn to bridle our tongue, 00:10:24.180 --> 00:10:26.420 control our tongue, 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:29.180 then we can also learn to exercise self-control 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:32.779 and discipline over the other parts of our body. 00:10:33.639 --> 00:10:36.220 If we don't bridle our tongue, 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:39.639 then the rest of our body will tend to go rogue as well. 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:45.899 James wants us to marvel how a very small instrument, 00:10:46.539 --> 00:10:46.720 right? 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:48.600 A bit in the horse's mouth, 00:10:49.399 --> 00:10:49.679 right? 00:10:49.720 --> 00:10:50.659 In the mouth of a large horse, 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:52.139 a rudder, 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:53.559 right? 00:10:53.799 --> 00:10:56.419 Tiny thing compared to a large ship 00:10:56.419 --> 00:11:01.179 has effects that are vastly disproportionate to its size. 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:03.220 Tiny but mighty, we might say. 00:11:04.600 --> 00:11:04.860 Right? 00:11:04.860 --> 00:11:05.700 And James says, 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:07.740 if this is true of horses and boats, 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:10.259 how much more is it true of human beings? 00:11:10.379 --> 00:11:12.940 So also the tongue is a small member, 00:11:13.440 --> 00:11:16.019 yet it boasts of great things. 00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:19.779 Now, when James talks about boasting in verse 5, 00:11:20.379 --> 00:11:24.080 he's not only referring to bad kinds of speech. 00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:26.440 Later in chapter 4, 00:11:26.860 --> 00:11:29.019 James will refer to boasting in arrogance, 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.399 which he says is evil. 00:11:30.399 --> 00:11:32.639 But already in chapter 1, 00:11:32.699 --> 00:11:33.860 chapter 1 verse 9, 00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:36.480 he's talked about boasting in humility. 00:11:36.699 --> 00:11:37.199 So he says, 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:39.439 let the lowly brother or sister 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:42.779 boast in their exaltation in Christ. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.399 In other words, 00:11:43.459 --> 00:11:43.939 as Christians, 00:11:44.079 --> 00:11:46.539 we can boast about what God has done for us. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.860 How he's forgiven our sins 00:11:48.860 --> 00:11:50.039 and renewed our minds 00:11:50.039 --> 00:11:52.059 and lifted us out of the pit of despair 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:54.600 and given us real and lasting hope. 00:11:54.819 --> 00:11:55.559 We can rejoice 00:11:55.559 --> 00:11:57.600 even when we're beaten down by trials 00:11:57.600 --> 00:12:00.639 because by God's grace, 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.560 we're still walking with Jesus 00:12:02.560 --> 00:12:05.639 and he is walking with us 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:06.519 on the road to glory. 00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:08.320 Right? 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:09.659 There are things we can boast about. 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.220 In other words, 00:12:10.240 --> 00:12:11.279 that we can rejoice in, 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:12.220 that we can celebrate, 00:12:12.379 --> 00:12:13.980 that we can tell others about 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:16.700 with energy and excitement and joy. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:21.320 So the tongue isn't only a huge liability. 00:12:22.899 --> 00:12:23.340 Right? 00:12:23.440 --> 00:12:25.800 James doesn't begin by speaking 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:27.519 about the negative potential of the tongue. 00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:30.259 He reminds us of the positive potential of the tongue. 00:12:31.219 --> 00:12:33.719 It has great potential for positive good. 00:12:35.199 --> 00:12:35.659 Right? 00:12:35.719 --> 00:12:37.319 That's why James talks about guiding 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:39.139 or bridling our tongue, 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:41.219 not just silencing our tongue. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:42.939 Right? 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.899 Already in chapter 1, 00:12:43.979 --> 00:12:45.859 James said we should be quick to listen 00:12:45.859 --> 00:12:47.620 and slow to speak 00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.959 and slow to anger, 00:12:49.099 --> 00:12:50.019 but that does mean 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.479 that there is a time to speak 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:53.379 and that there is a time to be angry. 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:56.799 Now, for example, 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:01.600 let's say if you're having conflict or tension 00:13:01.600 --> 00:13:04.759 in marriage or some other close relationship. 00:13:06.039 --> 00:13:07.080 And by the way, 00:13:07.240 --> 00:13:07.879 let me just say, 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.100 these last few months 00:13:09.100 --> 00:13:12.120 have brought out all kinds of conflict and tension 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:13.379 in all kinds of relationships. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:16.559 So if you're feeling that somewhere or other, 00:13:16.899 --> 00:13:17.580 you're not alone. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:21.940 But the solution to conflict and tension 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:24.920 is not to just stop talking to each other. 00:13:25.740 --> 00:13:25.879 Right? 00:13:25.940 --> 00:13:27.840 Especially within a family relationship 00:13:27.840 --> 00:13:30.000 or someone you're living with. 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:31.080 Right? 00:13:31.139 --> 00:13:33.379 The solution is not to just stop talking to each other 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:35.720 or avoid all difficult conversations. 00:13:36.100 --> 00:13:38.980 You actually have to learn to communicate with words. 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:43.020 And sometimes that includes expressing anger 00:13:43.020 --> 00:13:44.020 or disappointment 00:13:44.019 --> 00:13:45.819 or other difficult emotions 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:48.379 in a way that is honest and sincere 00:13:48.379 --> 00:13:52.159 without also being destructive and toxic. 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.159 When my wife and I were dating, 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:57.519 a wise older woman said to us, 00:13:58.319 --> 00:14:00.179 no two people are compatible. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.740 She said, 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:04.600 it's not whether you have conflict, 00:14:05.240 --> 00:14:06.740 but it's how you deal with it 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.620 that will either strengthen 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:11.079 or strain your marriage. 00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:13.800 You see, conflict or tension 00:14:13.800 --> 00:14:14.660 can be an opportunity 00:14:14.660 --> 00:14:16.900 to learn to communicate with our words 00:14:16.900 --> 00:14:19.680 and to grow together as a result. 00:14:20.900 --> 00:14:22.660 And the book of Proverbs talks about 00:14:22.660 --> 00:14:24.960 how wise words can bring healing 00:14:24.960 --> 00:14:25.940 and restoration 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:27.220 where there's been hurt 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:29.120 and division and confusion. 00:14:30.560 --> 00:14:31.940 So here's a few Proverbs 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:32.720 from the book of Proverbs. 00:14:32.840 --> 00:14:35.000 The tongue of the wise brings healing. 00:14:37.020 --> 00:14:40.020 An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips. 00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:43.540 Gracious words are a honeycomb, 00:14:44.020 --> 00:14:45.379 sweet to the soul 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.759 and healing to the bones. 00:14:47.840 --> 00:14:49.759 Like an ornament of fine gold 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.740 is the rebuke of a wise judge 00:14:51.740 --> 00:14:53.000 to a listening ear. 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:56.840 With patience, a ruler may be persuaded 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:59.080 and a soft tongue will break a bone. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:03.940 A soft answer turns away wrath. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:08.560 So there's all kinds of positive potential 00:15:08.560 --> 00:15:12.640 for good effects of honest and kind 00:15:12.640 --> 00:15:14.900 and gentle and careful 00:15:14.900 --> 00:15:17.220 and intentional speech. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:20.460 Words can be a powerful force of good. 00:15:20.800 --> 00:15:22.700 That's what we see in this first section. 00:15:24.140 --> 00:15:26.160 But then the second section, 00:15:26.280 --> 00:15:27.120 verses five to eight, 00:15:27.320 --> 00:15:29.640 emphasizes the danger of our words. 00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:32.360 James continues with the contrast 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.679 of small things 00:15:33.679 --> 00:15:35.919 that have big effects. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.899 But then he introduces 00:15:38.899 --> 00:15:40.819 a different image 00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:42.139 in the second half of verse five. 00:15:42.220 --> 00:15:43.779 How great a forest 00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.879 is set ablaze 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:48.860 by such a small fire. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:50.720 And the tongue 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:52.199 is a fire. 00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:56.620 I mean, think about it. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.480 Forest fires, 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.780 brush fires, 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:02.740 houses burn, 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:04.860 it all starts 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.240 with a small spark. 00:16:07.040 --> 00:16:07.500 Often 00:16:07.500 --> 00:16:09.240 completely unintentional. 00:16:11.840 --> 00:16:13.300 James is also drawing upon 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.640 the wisdom of Proverbs here. 00:16:16.140 --> 00:16:17.040 Here's some other Proverbs 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:18.900 about the destructive potential 00:16:18.900 --> 00:16:19.660 of speech. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:22.379 A worthless man 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.240 plots evil 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.079 and his speech 00:16:24.079 --> 00:16:25.899 is like a scorching fire. 00:16:27.219 --> 00:16:28.399 A dishonest person 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:29.379 spreads strife 00:16:29.379 --> 00:16:30.019 and a gossip 00:16:30.019 --> 00:16:31.699 separates close friends. 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.120 Evildoers are trapped 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:36.360 by their sinful talk. 00:16:36.459 --> 00:16:37.500 The words of the reckless 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.719 pierce like swords. 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:39.659 Starting a quarrel 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.919 is like breaching a dam. 00:16:41.719 --> 00:16:42.740 The mouths of fools 00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.839 are their undoing 00:16:43.839 --> 00:16:44.419 and their lips 00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.139 are a snare 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:46.199 to their very lives. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.759 The point is, 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.240 words can be a powerful force 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:48.680 for good, 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.779 but they can also result 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:50.600 in ruin 00:16:50.600 --> 00:16:51.600 and destruction 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.740 that spirals 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.480 out of control. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.220 You see, 00:16:55.279 --> 00:16:55.879 once a fire 00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.720 starts spreading, 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:59.139 you can't just say, 00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.340 oops, 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.419 sorry I dropped 00:17:02.419 --> 00:17:02.799 the match 00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.279 in the bushes. 00:17:05.460 --> 00:17:06.299 I wish I hadn't 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:06.779 done that. 00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:08.039 Okay, 00:17:08.160 --> 00:17:08.700 problem solved, 00:17:08.779 --> 00:17:09.539 let's go on with life 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.359 as if it never happened. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:12.980 No. 00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:14.779 Right? 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.339 It's much easier 00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.200 to start a fire 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.139 than to put out a fire 00:17:18.139 --> 00:17:19.079 that starts raging 00:17:19.079 --> 00:17:19.759 out of control. 00:17:21.619 --> 00:17:22.539 And similarly, 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:23.980 it takes far more 00:17:23.980 --> 00:17:25.059 time and energy 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.700 to clean up the mess 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:28.759 caused by unrighteous words 00:17:28.759 --> 00:17:30.779 than it did to say 00:17:30.779 --> 00:17:31.379 those words 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.279 in the first place. 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.279 It's not that hard 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.859 to lie, 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:38.379 gossip, 00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.039 brag, 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.420 manipulate, 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:43.019 blame, 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.920 ridicule, 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.359 quarrel, 00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:47.859 complain. 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:51.259 Unrighteous words 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:51.799 can come out 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.319 of our mouths 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.480 without much effort, 00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.079 even without us 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:56.460 really thinking about it. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.379 But unrighteous words 00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:01.299 carry destructive power. 00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:03.579 And when serious damage 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.139 has been done, 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:05.279 often it's not enough 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:05.839 to just say, 00:18:06.099 --> 00:18:07.200 I'm sorry I said that, 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:08.559 can we go on 00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.519 as if it never happened? 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.859 In some cases, 00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.660 it may take 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:13.779 a significant investment 00:18:13.779 --> 00:18:15.060 of time and energy 00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:16.400 to rebuild 00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:17.920 healthy patterns 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:19.340 of relating 00:18:19.340 --> 00:18:20.140 to one another. 00:18:22.040 --> 00:18:23.100 Because even after 00:18:23.100 --> 00:18:24.480 the fire has died out, 00:18:24.580 --> 00:18:25.300 you're still dealing 00:18:25.300 --> 00:18:26.540 with all the charred 00:18:26.540 --> 00:18:27.400 wreckage 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.700 that has been 00:18:28.700 --> 00:18:30.220 consumed by it. 00:18:32.100 --> 00:18:33.019 James wants us 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.080 to take seriously 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:34.940 the danger 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:37.019 of our words. 00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:39.619 and along 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:40.079 with the image 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.920 of a brush fire, 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.539 James uses 00:18:41.539 --> 00:18:41.920 the image 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.759 of pollution 00:18:42.759 --> 00:18:43.700 or contamination 00:18:43.700 --> 00:18:44.660 in verse 6. 00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:45.720 The tongue is a world 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.599 of unrighteousness 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:47.980 staining the whole body. 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:48.279 Again, 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.359 I think it's the same point. 00:18:49.639 --> 00:18:50.319 It's much easier 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.339 to stain a piece 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:51.940 of clothing 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.460 than to remove 00:18:53.460 --> 00:18:53.960 a stain 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:54.700 that is set in. 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.619 And we might ask, 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.220 where does this 00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:02.500 destructive power, 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.599 this polluting 00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.299 stain, 00:19:04.299 --> 00:19:06.779 ultimately come from? 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:08.579 James says 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.159 it's kindled 00:19:09.159 --> 00:19:10.680 by hell itself. 00:19:13.379 --> 00:19:13.579 I mean, 00:19:13.619 --> 00:19:14.460 think about the story 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.220 of how sin 00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.159 entered the world 00:19:16.159 --> 00:19:18.659 in Genesis 3. 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:21.359 It began 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:21.960 with the serpent 00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:22.759 speaking 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:24.180 deceptive 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.059 and manipulative 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.279 words to Eve, 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:28.159 planting seeds 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:29.059 of distrust 00:19:29.059 --> 00:19:30.680 and resentment 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.759 toward God. 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:34.099 did God 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:35.079 really say that? 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.859 Why wouldn't 00:19:37.859 --> 00:19:38.299 he want you 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.200 to eat from that tree? 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.400 You certainly 00:19:41.400 --> 00:19:42.039 won't die 00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.559 if you do. 00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:44.879 You're pretty smart. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:47.180 You should be able 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.819 to make a judgment 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.460 on your own. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.000 Maybe God's trying 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.440 to hold something 00:19:53.440 --> 00:19:54.160 back from you. 00:19:54.160 --> 00:20:00.820 And then after Eve 00:20:00.820 --> 00:20:01.440 and then Adam 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.340 take and eat 00:20:02.340 --> 00:20:03.279 of the forbidden fruit, 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:04.880 what happens? 00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.840 God comes to Adam, 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:06.800 says, 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:07.120 dude, 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.620 what's up? 00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:12.720 What happened? 00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.540 And Adam says, 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:16.120 she made me do it. 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.680 The woman 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:19.300 who you gave 00:20:19.300 --> 00:20:19.900 to be with me, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.500 she gave me 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:21.019 fruit of the tree 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:21.580 and I ate. 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.800 Deflect responsibility, 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.340 blame somebody else. 00:20:27.460 --> 00:20:28.540 So ever since then, 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.680 the course of human history 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:30.440 have been polluted 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.940 by unrighteous words. 00:20:34.380 --> 00:20:34.940 Deception 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.920 and manipulation, 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:37.779 blaming 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:39.080 and deflecting, 00:20:39.400 --> 00:20:40.340 half-truths 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.440 and outright lies, 00:20:41.660 --> 00:20:42.840 gossip and ridicule, 00:20:43.259 --> 00:20:44.440 cursing and complaining, 00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:46.700 bragging 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.759 and flattering. 00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.259 Our words 00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.740 have caused 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.700 all kinds 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.259 of ruin 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.060 and destruction. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:56.240 You see, 00:20:56.300 --> 00:20:56.880 we figured out 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.620 how to tame, 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:59.040 how to restrain, 00:20:59.160 --> 00:20:59.680 how to hold 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.279 in check 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:02.600 just about 00:21:02.600 --> 00:21:03.259 everything else 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:03.800 on earth. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.240 But we haven't 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.700 figured out 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.320 how to tame 00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.519 one of the smallest 00:21:09.519 --> 00:21:10.160 members 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.100 of our own 00:21:11.100 --> 00:21:11.880 bodies. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.040 Our tongues 00:21:15.040 --> 00:21:15.540 are restless, 00:21:15.759 --> 00:21:16.320 unstable, 00:21:16.500 --> 00:21:17.120 disorderly, 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.640 unpredictable, 00:21:17.840 --> 00:21:19.160 like poisonous snakes, 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.259 ready to strike 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:20.880 at any moment. 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.600 That's the image 00:21:21.600 --> 00:21:22.460 James is giving us 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:23.400 in verses 7 and 8. 00:21:24.039 --> 00:21:24.480 Our words 00:21:24.480 --> 00:21:25.059 are powerful 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.420 but they're 00:21:25.420 --> 00:21:26.299 also dangerous. 00:21:29.720 --> 00:21:30.279 And then 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.340 in verses 9 to 12, 00:21:31.480 --> 00:21:32.620 James highlights 00:21:32.620 --> 00:21:33.519 the greatest 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:35.059 danger of all, 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.660 the inconsistency 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:39.680 of our words. 00:21:41.380 --> 00:21:42.440 With our tongue 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.000 we bless 00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.559 the Lord, 00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:44.220 our Lord 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.840 and Father 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.500 and with it 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:46.460 we curse people 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:47.120 who are made 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:47.880 in the likeness 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:48.460 of God. 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:52.400 Right? 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.920 James here 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.420 points us 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.740 to some of 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.319 the best 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.039 ways 00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:55.740 we can use 00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:56.380 words. 00:21:57.420 --> 00:21:57.700 Right? 00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.299 The positive 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.279 potential of words 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.019 praising and 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.640 blessing God 00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:01.220 and some of the 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.579 worst, 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:02.779 cursing other 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.160 people. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:04.860 Think about it. 00:22:04.900 --> 00:22:05.460 Is there any 00:22:05.460 --> 00:22:06.220 more noble 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.079 use of human 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.700 words 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.700 than to declare 00:22:08.700 --> 00:22:09.400 the praises 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.100 of the author 00:22:10.100 --> 00:22:11.140 of life himself? 00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:13.540 Is there any 00:22:13.540 --> 00:22:14.100 more fitting 00:22:14.100 --> 00:22:14.880 way to use 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:15.380 our tongues 00:22:15.380 --> 00:22:16.020 than to look 00:22:16.020 --> 00:22:16.620 up to our 00:22:16.620 --> 00:22:17.380 heavenly Father 00:22:17.380 --> 00:22:18.180 and bless 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.080 his holy name 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:20.160 for he is good 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.259 and his love 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:22.120 endures forever? 00:22:23.880 --> 00:22:24.520 You know, 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.259 this is something 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.140 that no other 00:22:26.140 --> 00:22:26.860 earthly creature 00:22:26.860 --> 00:22:27.400 can do. 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.259 Yes, 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:30.120 the Psalms 00:22:30.120 --> 00:22:30.759 and the prophets 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.700 speak poetically 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.700 about the heavens 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.900 declaring the glory 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.420 of God 00:22:34.420 --> 00:22:35.140 and the skies 00:22:35.140 --> 00:22:36.000 proclaiming his 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.580 handiwork 00:22:36.580 --> 00:22:37.520 and the mountains 00:22:37.520 --> 00:22:38.060 and the hills 00:22:38.060 --> 00:22:39.080 breaking into song 00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:39.720 but of all 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:40.800 earthly creatures 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.819 it's only human 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.500 beings who have 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.440 put such thoughts 00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.639 into written 00:22:44.639 --> 00:22:45.460 words. 00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:48.059 It's only human 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.680 beings who have 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:49.460 written down 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.819 intricately reasoned 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.519 arguments and 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.599 composed beautiful 00:22:52.599 --> 00:22:53.879 poetry and song 00:22:53.879 --> 00:22:55.440 when God made us 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:56.319 in his image, 00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:57.240 in his likeness. 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:58.379 He installed us 00:22:58.379 --> 00:22:59.159 as priests 00:22:59.159 --> 00:23:00.019 in his heavenly 00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:00.500 temple. 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:01.940 Right? 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.960 Our job was 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.019 and is to offer 00:23:04.019 --> 00:23:05.039 up the praises 00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.299 of all creation 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.960 to the Lord 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.480 of all. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:11.059 that's a glorious 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.720 and sacred 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.299 thing. 00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.660 With our 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:16.220 words 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:16.779 to lead 00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:17.660 all creation 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.160 that gives 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:18.819 wordless 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:19.500 praise 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:21.640 to God 00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.079 almighty. 00:23:24.799 --> 00:23:25.519 That's an 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.099 amazing and 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:26.779 powerful thing 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.259 that we can do 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.579 with our 00:23:27.579 --> 00:23:28.059 words. 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:30.960 But then 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:32.240 James points 00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:32.700 to one of the 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:33.160 worst things 00:23:33.160 --> 00:23:33.539 we can do 00:23:33.539 --> 00:23:33.880 with our 00:23:33.880 --> 00:23:34.259 words 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:36.299 to curse 00:23:36.299 --> 00:23:36.920 other human 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.299 beings. 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:37.980 Now notice 00:23:37.980 --> 00:23:38.500 what James 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.140 doesn't say. 00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.279 He doesn't 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:41.660 say 00:23:41.660 --> 00:23:42.640 with our 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:42.900 tongue 00:23:42.900 --> 00:23:43.359 we bless 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:43.680 God 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:43.960 and then 00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.299 with our 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:44.480 tongue 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:44.920 we curse 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.279 God. 00:23:46.859 --> 00:23:47.539 Why doesn't 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:47.839 he say 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.160 that? 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:48.440 Right? 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.839 Of course 00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.480 cursing God 00:23:49.480 --> 00:23:50.079 is perhaps 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.480 the worst 00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:50.879 thing we 00:23:50.879 --> 00:23:51.140 could do 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.420 with our 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:51.720 tongues. 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:53.059 But James 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.480 is speaking 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.019 to religious 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.460 people. 00:23:55.539 --> 00:23:56.240 He's speaking 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:56.599 to people 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:57.180 who identify 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.859 as Christians 00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.119 who say 00:23:59.119 --> 00:23:59.559 they believe 00:23:59.559 --> 00:23:59.960 in the God 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.480 of the Bible. 00:24:00.940 --> 00:24:01.099 Right? 00:24:01.220 --> 00:24:01.599 Many of 00:24:01.599 --> 00:24:01.859 James' 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.500 hearers 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.339 right? 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:03.799 Perhaps 00:24:03.799 --> 00:24:04.160 many of 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:04.440 us would 00:24:04.440 --> 00:24:04.640 say 00:24:04.640 --> 00:24:04.859 I've 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.059 never 00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:05.420 cursed 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:05.779 God. 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.400 I'm not 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:08.920 like those 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.420 irreverent 00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:09.880 atheists 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.539 and pagans. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.400 But James 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.720 says 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:16.279 have you 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.559 not 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.299 dishonored 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.640 your 00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:19.000 fellow 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.359 human 00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.740 beings 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:20.059 who are 00:24:20.059 --> 00:24:20.319 made 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:20.559 in the 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:20.799 image 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:20.960 of 00:24:20.960 --> 00:24:21.240 God? 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.220 He 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:23.420 says 00:24:23.420 --> 00:24:23.619 think 00:24:23.619 --> 00:24:23.920 about it 00:24:23.920 --> 00:24:24.180 have you 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.400 not 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.000 dishonored 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.720 devalued 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.660 despised 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:28.299 other 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:28.559 human 00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.079 beings? 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.660 And 00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:31.920 don't 00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:32.080 you 00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:32.500 realize 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:32.680 that 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:32.820 when 00:24:32.820 --> 00:24:32.980 you 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.560 dishonor 00:24:33.560 --> 00:24:33.840 another 00:24:33.840 --> 00:24:34.160 human 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.420 being 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.560 you 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:34.720 are 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.460 dishonoring 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:35.620 the 00:24:35.620 --> 00:24:35.880 one 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.200 in 00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:36.480 whose 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:36.900 image 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.180 and 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.620 likeness 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:37.820 they 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.039 were 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:38.500 made? 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:40.880 You 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.000 see 00:24:41.000 --> 00:24:41.180 when 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.440 James 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:41.700 talks 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:41.960 about 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.539 cursing 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.019 he's 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.240 not 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.460 just 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:43.779 talking 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.120 about 00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.660 foul 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.360 language. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.700 You 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:47.900 can 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.620 dishonor 00:24:48.620 --> 00:24:48.880 and 00:24:48.880 --> 00:24:49.500 devalue 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.300 and despise 00:24:50.300 --> 00:24:50.660 another 00:24:50.660 --> 00:24:51.019 human 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.320 being 00:24:51.320 --> 00:24:51.560 while 00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:51.940 remaining 00:24:51.940 --> 00:24:52.320 very 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:52.840 polite 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:55.160 and 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:55.539 socially 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.100 acceptable. 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.700 James 00:25:02.700 --> 00:25:02.880 says 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.279 consider 00:25:03.279 --> 00:25:03.519 the 00:25:03.519 --> 00:25:04.100 words 00:25:04.100 --> 00:25:06.440 that 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.580 have 00:25:06.580 --> 00:25:06.759 come 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:06.920 out 00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.019 of 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.160 our 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.420 mouths 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:07.660 this 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:08.000 morning 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.340 even 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:08.580 as 00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:08.800 we've 00:25:08.800 --> 00:25:09.120 sung 00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.340 or 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:09.759 spoken 00:25:09.759 --> 00:25:10.240 hymns 00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:10.380 and 00:25:10.380 --> 00:25:10.740 songs 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:10.940 of 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.480 praise. 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.460 And 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:14.759 then he 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.100 challenges 00:25:15.100 --> 00:25:15.340 us 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:15.700 consider 00:25:15.700 --> 00:25:16.039 all 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:16.220 the 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:16.500 words 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:16.660 that 00:25:16.660 --> 00:25:16.800 have 00:25:16.800 --> 00:25:16.960 come 00:25:16.960 --> 00:25:17.200 out 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:17.320 of 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:17.480 our 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.779 mouths 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.060 during 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:18.200 the 00:25:18.200 --> 00:25:18.519 past 00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:18.900 week. 00:25:18.900 --> 00:25:23.820 toward 00:25:23.820 --> 00:25:23.980 our 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.360 spouses 00:25:24.360 --> 00:25:24.780 toward 00:25:24.780 --> 00:25:24.940 our 00:25:24.940 --> 00:25:25.259 kids 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.620 toward 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:25.759 our 00:25:25.759 --> 00:25:26.259 housemates 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:26.540 toward 00:25:26.540 --> 00:25:26.680 our 00:25:26.680 --> 00:25:27.019 bosses 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.460 toward 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.640 our 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:28.060 coworkers 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:28.480 toward 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:28.660 our 00:25:28.660 --> 00:25:28.860 next 00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:29.019 door 00:25:29.019 --> 00:25:29.500 neighbors 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:30.220 toward 00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:30.740 distracted 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.259 drivers 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:31.680 and 00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.500 jaywalking 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:33.019 pedestrians 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.480 toward 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.700 people 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:34.880 of 00:25:34.880 --> 00:25:35.180 other 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:36.340 nationalities 00:25:36.340 --> 00:25:36.759 or other 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.040 racial 00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:37.480 groups 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.720 toward 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.000 people 00:25:38.000 --> 00:25:38.160 who 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.380 hold 00:25:38.380 --> 00:25:38.860 opposing 00:25:38.860 --> 00:25:39.320 political 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:39.860 views 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.140 toward 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:40.420 people 00:25:40.420 --> 00:25:40.580 who 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:40.740 have 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.120 misunderstood 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:41.640 you 00:25:41.640 --> 00:25:42.019 and 00:25:42.019 --> 00:25:42.780 mistreated 00:25:42.780 --> 00:25:42.980 you 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:43.460 personally. 00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.420 Think 00:25:49.420 --> 00:25:49.620 about 00:25:49.620 --> 00:25:49.840 all 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:50.160 those 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.460 image 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:50.840 bearers 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:50.980 of 00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.300 God 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:52.780 that 00:25:52.780 --> 00:25:53.000 we've 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:53.400 interacted 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:53.680 with 00:25:53.680 --> 00:25:53.920 in the 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:54.180 last 00:25:54.180 --> 00:25:54.519 week. 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.600 What 00:25:58.600 --> 00:25:58.700 have 00:25:58.700 --> 00:25:58.840 our 00:25:58.840 --> 00:25:59.100 words 00:25:59.100 --> 00:26:00.100 to 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:00.300 them 00:26:00.300 --> 00:26:00.900 communicated? 00:26:02.360 --> 00:26:02.900 Does 00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.140 James 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.500 challenge 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:03.700 hit 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.019 home? 00:26:06.640 --> 00:26:07.220 It 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:07.360 did 00:26:07.360 --> 00:26:07.780 for me. 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.200 From 00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:12.600 the same 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:12.880 mouth 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:13.140 come 00:26:13.140 --> 00:26:13.540 blessing 00:26:13.540 --> 00:26:13.780 and 00:26:13.780 --> 00:26:14.220 cursing. 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.340 My 00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.660 brothers 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:15.920 and 00:26:15.920 --> 00:26:16.220 sisters 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:16.640 this 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:16.960 ought 00:26:16.960 --> 00:26:17.200 not 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.340 to 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:17.500 be 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:17.840 so. 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:22.360 verses 00:26:22.360 --> 00:26:22.660 11 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:22.820 and 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:23.080 12 00:26:23.080 --> 00:26:23.340 James 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.660 points 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:23.820 out 00:26:23.820 --> 00:26:23.960 that 00:26:23.960 --> 00:26:24.140 that 00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:24.400 kind 00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.540 of 00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:25.960 inconsistency 00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:26.780 doesn't 00:26:26.780 --> 00:26:27.160 happen 00:26:27.160 --> 00:26:27.580 anywhere 00:26:27.580 --> 00:26:27.940 else 00:26:27.940 --> 00:26:28.240 in the 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:28.580 created 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.000 order. 00:26:29.320 --> 00:26:29.460 A 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.880 spring 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:30.360 doesn't 00:26:30.360 --> 00:26:30.620 pour 00:26:30.620 --> 00:26:31.000 forth 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.380 fresh 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.780 and 00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:32.100 salt 00:26:32.100 --> 00:26:32.460 water 00:26:32.460 --> 00:26:33.300 simultaneously. 00:26:34.680 --> 00:26:35.280 A 00:26:35.280 --> 00:26:35.540 tree 00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:36.259 only bears 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.560 fruit 00:26:36.560 --> 00:26:36.880 of its 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.220 own 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.660 kind 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:37.940 not 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:38.080 of 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:38.340 another 00:26:38.340 --> 00:26:38.960 kind. 00:26:39.560 --> 00:26:39.780 And 00:26:39.780 --> 00:26:39.920 a 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.200 salt 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.740 pond 00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.220 can't 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.500 yield 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:41.920 fresh 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.380 water. 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:45.820 But 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:45.960 with 00:26:45.960 --> 00:26:46.120 our 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:46.340 tongues 00:26:46.340 --> 00:26:46.640 we can 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:46.800 be 00:26:46.800 --> 00:26:47.120 praising 00:26:47.120 --> 00:26:47.440 God 00:26:47.440 --> 00:26:47.780 in one 00:26:47.780 --> 00:26:48.180 moment 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:49.140 and 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:49.759 dishonoring 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:49.940 one 00:26:49.940 --> 00:26:50.160 of his 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.440 image 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:50.840 bearers 00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:51.039 in the 00:26:51.039 --> 00:26:51.380 next. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.539 James 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:53.720 says 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.019 this is 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.220 a 00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.820 monstrous 00:26:54.820 --> 00:26:55.740 inconsistency 00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:56.039 it's 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:56.360 a 00:26:56.360 --> 00:26:56.820 horrific 00:26:56.820 --> 00:26:57.500 perversion 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.980 of God's 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.400 created 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.820 order 00:26:58.820 --> 00:26:59.019 and 00:26:59.019 --> 00:26:59.200 it's 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.380 one 00:26:59.380 --> 00:26:59.539 that 00:26:59.539 --> 00:26:59.759 James 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.460 exposes 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:00.980 and 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:01.519 challenges. 00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.039 Do we 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.480 recognize 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:07.539 the ways 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:07.860 that 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.799 our 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.279 words 00:27:10.279 --> 00:27:11.620 have been 00:27:11.620 --> 00:27:12.220 inconsistent 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.920 with one 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.240 another? 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.940 God 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:16.740 is 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:16.779 to 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.660 God 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:18.559 is 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:18.900 all 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.359 about 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:21.180 steadfastness. 00:27:22.440 --> 00:27:22.880 James' 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.480 primary 00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:23.880 concern 00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.140 is that 00:27:24.140 --> 00:27:24.299 we 00:27:24.299 --> 00:27:24.620 become 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:24.920 people 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:25.140 who 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:25.380 are 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.380 steadfast 00:27:26.380 --> 00:27:26.640 in 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:26.819 our 00:27:26.819 --> 00:27:27.180 love 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.140 undivided 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.319 in 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.519 our 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:28.940 loyalty 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.220 to 00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.640 God 00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.000 and 00:27:30.000 --> 00:27:30.120 to 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.299 his 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:30.519 son 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:30.759 Jesus 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:31.339 Christ 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.259 because 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.019 God 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.920 is 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.440 steadfast 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:34.640 in 00:27:34.640 --> 00:27:34.799 his 00:27:34.799 --> 00:27:35.160 love 00:27:35.160 --> 00:27:35.620 and 00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.279 undivided 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.400 in 00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.599 his 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:36.960 loyalty 00:27:36.960 --> 00:27:37.259 to 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:37.599 us. 00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:38.079 He 00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:38.319 is 00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:38.500 the 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.779 father 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.019 of 00:27:39.019 --> 00:27:39.319 lights 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:39.559 with 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.159 whom 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:40.379 there 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:40.599 is 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:40.980 no 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.899 variation 00:27:41.899 --> 00:27:42.460 or 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:42.980 shadow 00:27:42.980 --> 00:27:43.579 due 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:43.960 to 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.639 change. 00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.240 He 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.659 is 00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.059 good 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.299 and 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.539 his 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.119 steadfast 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.480 love 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:48.960 endures 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:49.460 forever. 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.240 God 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.399 is 00:27:56.399 --> 00:27:56.740 calling 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:56.960 us 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.099 to 00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:57.399 be 00:27:57.399 --> 00:27:57.839 the 00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.179 kind 00:27:58.179 --> 00:27:58.359 of 00:27:58.359 --> 00:27:58.720 people 00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.220 that 00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.480 develop 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.119 that 00:28:01.119 --> 00:28:02.779 steadfastness. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.579 Remember 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:05.779 at the 00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.019 beginning 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.379 he said 00:28:06.379 --> 00:28:06.539 some 00:28:06.539 --> 00:28:06.740 of that 00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.460 steadfastness 00:28:07.460 --> 00:28:07.639 is 00:28:07.639 --> 00:28:07.960 produced 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:08.200 through 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.759 trials, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.119 through 00:28:09.119 --> 00:28:09.660 hard 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:10.359 experiences. 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:10.640 It's 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:10.819 not 00:28:10.819 --> 00:28:11.299 something 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:11.500 we 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:11.920 naturally 00:28:11.920 --> 00:28:12.339 begin 00:28:12.339 --> 00:28:12.700 with 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:14.240 but 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.400 it's 00:28:14.400 --> 00:28:14.619 something 00:28:14.619 --> 00:28:14.839 that 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:14.960 we 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.160 can 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:15.720 grow 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.099 into 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:16.339 and 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.720 develop 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.059 over 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.579 time. 00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.200 But 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.440 here 00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:21.759 James 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:21.940 is 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.559 pointing 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.059 out 00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.039 a 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.519 specific 00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:25.000 area 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.339 where 00:28:25.339 --> 00:28:27.259 if 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.400 we're 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.660 honest 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:27.859 with 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.220 ourselves 00:28:28.220 --> 00:28:28.519 many 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:28.720 of 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:28.879 us 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.119 perhaps 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.359 even 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.579 all 00:28:29.579 --> 00:28:29.680 of 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:29.859 us 00:28:29.859 --> 00:28:30.920 have 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.339 failed 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:31.559 to 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.160 express 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.700 that 00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:33.059 kind 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:33.220 of 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.039 steadfastness 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.240 and 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:34.559 instead 00:28:34.559 --> 00:28:34.859 we've 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.319 expressed 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.640 inconsistency. 00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:38.119 And 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.220 you 00:28:38.220 --> 00:28:38.339 see 00:28:38.339 --> 00:28:38.480 the 00:28:38.480 --> 00:28:39.259 inconsistency 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:39.559 of our 00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:39.899 words 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:40.419 exposes 00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:40.599 the 00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:41.299 inconsistency 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:41.619 of our 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.019 hearts. 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:44.199 It's 00:28:44.199 --> 00:28:44.699 very likely 00:28:44.699 --> 00:28:45.139 that James 00:28:45.139 --> 00:28:45.579 was thinking 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:46.079 back to 00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:46.319 Jesus' 00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:46.679 own 00:28:46.679 --> 00:28:47.059 teaching. 00:28:49.220 --> 00:28:49.859 Matthew 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:50.220 15 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:50.559 18 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:50.879 Jesus 00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.139 said 00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:51.319 what 00:28:51.319 --> 00:28:51.659 comes 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.019 out 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.419 of the 00:28:52.419 --> 00:28:52.819 mouth 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.220 proceeds 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:54.519 from 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:54.699 the 00:28:54.699 --> 00:28:55.019 heart. 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:56.639 And 00:28:56.639 --> 00:28:57.019 that 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.879 is what 00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:58.720 defiles 00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.819 a person. 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:00.439 That's 00:29:00.439 --> 00:29:00.740 what 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.559 pollutes 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:01.939 us. 00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:02.939 That's 00:29:02.939 --> 00:29:03.159 what 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:03.939 stains 00:29:03.939 --> 00:29:04.299 us. 00:29:04.419 --> 00:29:04.659 That's 00:29:04.659 --> 00:29:04.819 what 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.599 contaminates 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:05.779 us 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.139 is what's 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.440 in our 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:06.800 heart. 00:29:07.580 --> 00:29:07.900 And 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:08.020 what 00:29:08.020 --> 00:29:08.180 comes 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.380 out of 00:29:08.380 --> 00:29:08.520 our 00:29:08.520 --> 00:29:08.920 mouth 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:10.560 simply 00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:10.980 shows 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.240 us 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:11.580 something 00:29:11.580 --> 00:29:11.880 that's 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:12.160 in our 00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.500 heart. 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.040 You 00:29:16.040 --> 00:29:16.180 see, 00:29:16.280 --> 00:29:16.700 how do 00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:16.860 we 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.240 remedy 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:18.340 the 00:29:18.340 --> 00:29:19.240 inconsistency 00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.620 of our 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:19.880 words? 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.160 How do 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.720 we tame 00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.060 our 00:29:21.060 --> 00:29:21.500 tongues 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.020 that so 00:29:22.020 --> 00:29:22.540 easily 00:29:22.540 --> 00:29:22.940 get us 00:29:22.940 --> 00:29:23.140 into 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.460 trouble? 00:29:23.600 --> 00:29:23.820 James 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.280 says we 00:29:24.280 --> 00:29:24.800 need 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.680 change 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.060 at a 00:29:26.060 --> 00:29:26.400 heart 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.160 level. 00:29:29.100 --> 00:29:29.700 And we 00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.380 need change 00:29:30.380 --> 00:29:31.060 that doesn't 00:29:31.060 --> 00:29:31.720 originate 00:29:31.720 --> 00:29:32.020 from 00:29:32.020 --> 00:29:32.680 ourselves. 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:35.640 He 00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:35.820 already 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.200 said in 00:29:36.200 --> 00:29:36.660 verse 8, 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.259 no human 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:38.799 being can 00:29:38.799 --> 00:29:39.240 tame the 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:39.519 tongue. 00:29:40.799 --> 00:29:41.320 Literally 00:29:41.320 --> 00:29:41.940 verse 8 00:29:41.940 --> 00:29:42.259 reads, 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:42.700 but the 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.080 tongue 00:29:43.080 --> 00:29:44.259 no one 00:29:44.259 --> 00:29:44.799 is able 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.380 to tame 00:29:45.380 --> 00:29:46.039 of 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:46.480 mankind. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.259 And yet 00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:51.700 in that 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.060 statement, 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.360 I think 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:53.720 there is a 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:54.080 glimmer of 00:29:54.080 --> 00:29:54.340 hope. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.039 Many 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:56.519 years ago, 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:56.920 the early 00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:57.500 church father 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.060 Augustine 00:29:58.060 --> 00:29:58.799 commented on 00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.320 that verse. 00:30:00.320 --> 00:30:00.539 And he 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.900 noticed, 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.240 he said, 00:30:01.320 --> 00:30:01.779 James does 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.580 not say 00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:04.000 simply that 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.299 no one 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.659 can tame 00:30:04.659 --> 00:30:05.079 the tongue, 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.960 but no 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:08.139 one among 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:08.980 humans. 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:10.919 So that 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:11.339 when it 00:30:11.339 --> 00:30:12.039 is tamed, 00:30:12.159 --> 00:30:12.720 we confess 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.220 that this 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.720 is brought 00:30:13.720 --> 00:30:14.259 about by 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.859 the mercy, 00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:16.259 the help, 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.480 the grace 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.539 of God. 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.539 You see, 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.139 there is 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.699 hope for 00:30:21.699 --> 00:30:22.220 us. 00:30:23.619 --> 00:30:24.339 Because the 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:24.859 God who 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:26.259 is steadfast, 00:30:27.740 --> 00:30:28.679 the father 00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:29.179 of life, 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.599 with whom 00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:29.919 there is 00:30:29.919 --> 00:30:31.000 no variation 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.579 or shadow 00:30:31.579 --> 00:30:31.939 due to 00:30:31.939 --> 00:30:32.240 change, 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.579 the God 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:32.779 who is 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:33.180 always 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.720 true to 00:30:33.720 --> 00:30:34.259 his word, 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.579 he has 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.200 intervened 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:36.559 on our 00:30:36.559 --> 00:30:36.980 behalf. 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.599 He has 00:30:37.599 --> 00:30:37.940 sent his 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.279 one and 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:38.900 only son 00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:39.460 into the 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:39.859 world to 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:40.680 save us 00:30:40.680 --> 00:30:42.140 from the 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.720 fires of 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:43.059 hell 00:30:43.059 --> 00:30:46.380 and from 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:47.039 the fires 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.220 of evil 00:30:48.220 --> 00:30:49.039 and rebellion 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.039 that burn 00:30:50.039 --> 00:30:51.039 within our 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.000 own hearts 00:30:52.000 --> 00:30:54.160 and come 00:30:54.160 --> 00:30:54.559 out 00:30:54.559 --> 00:30:55.680 through our 00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.359 unrighteous 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:57.160 words. 00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:58.160 God's 00:30:58.160 --> 00:30:59.160 love. 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.220 He has 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.580 come to 00:30:59.580 --> 00:31:00.140 save us 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:00.540 from that 00:31:00.540 --> 00:31:01.220 restless 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.880 evil, 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.620 that deadly 00:31:02.620 --> 00:31:03.259 poison. 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.580 In Jesus 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.000 Christ, 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.620 God has 00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:07.040 done for 00:31:07.040 --> 00:31:07.460 us what 00:31:07.460 --> 00:31:07.920 we could 00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.440 not do 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.660 for 00:31:08.660 --> 00:31:09.259 ourselves. 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:12.759 He put 00:31:12.759 --> 00:31:13.019 it to 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.619 death on 00:31:13.619 --> 00:31:14.200 the cross 00:31:14.200 --> 00:31:14.920 and he 00:31:14.920 --> 00:31:16.000 rose triumphantly 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.420 from the 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:16.920 grave. 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:17.859 You see, 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.259 our hope 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.720 does not 00:31:18.720 --> 00:31:20.359 come from 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:20.940 our good 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.759 words. 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.379 James is not 00:31:24.379 --> 00:31:24.759 saying, 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:25.299 just try 00:31:25.299 --> 00:31:25.920 harder and 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:28.859 say better 00:31:28.859 --> 00:31:29.359 things. 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.440 No, 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:30.960 he's pointing 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.539 us to our 00:31:31.539 --> 00:31:32.500 true hope 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:33.759 from the 00:31:33.759 --> 00:31:34.480 living and 00:31:34.480 --> 00:31:34.960 abiding 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.940 word of 00:31:35.940 --> 00:31:36.380 God, 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:36.980 from the 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:37.519 truth about 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.039 what Jesus 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:38.539 has done 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:38.860 on our 00:31:38.860 --> 00:31:39.380 behalf. 00:31:40.400 --> 00:31:40.840 As James 00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:41.299 said earlier 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:41.740 in chapter 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:41.980 one, 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.840 the implanted 00:31:42.840 --> 00:31:43.360 word of 00:31:43.360 --> 00:31:44.559 God is 00:31:44.559 --> 00:31:45.480 able to 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.580 save your 00:31:46.580 --> 00:31:47.420 souls. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.059 That is 00:31:49.059 --> 00:31:49.480 the word 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:49.940 that brings 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.120 healing and 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:51.600 forgiveness, 00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:53.160 new life and 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:54.200 lasting change 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:55.180 that is sweet 00:31:55.180 --> 00:31:56.360 to our soul 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:58.140 and healing 00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.900 to our 00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.400 bones. 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.180 So, 00:32:02.259 --> 00:32:02.620 brothers and 00:32:02.620 --> 00:32:02.880 sisters, 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.799 cling to the 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:05.779 truth about 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.339 what God 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:06.799 has done 00:32:06.799 --> 00:32:07.319 for us 00:32:07.319 --> 00:32:08.000 in Jesus 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.500 Christ. 00:32:09.259 --> 00:32:10.019 Listen to 00:32:10.019 --> 00:32:10.460 that word. 00:32:10.619 --> 00:32:11.039 Let that 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:11.920 truth sink 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:13.000 deeply into 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.559 your heart 00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:14.180 above all 00:32:14.180 --> 00:32:14.519 else. 00:32:14.660 --> 00:32:15.480 Draw upon 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:16.019 that new 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.879 creation life 00:32:16.879 --> 00:32:17.539 that God 00:32:17.539 --> 00:32:18.220 has bestowed 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.799 upon us 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.379 through the 00:32:19.379 --> 00:32:19.879 resurrection 00:32:19.879 --> 00:32:20.519 of Jesus 00:32:20.519 --> 00:32:21.660 himself and 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.160 out of the 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.799 abundance of 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.519 a heart that 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:23.899 is being 00:32:23.899 --> 00:32:24.920 renewed day 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:25.920 by day by 00:32:25.920 --> 00:32:26.299 the grace 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.819 of God. 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:27.879 Let us 00:32:27.879 --> 00:32:28.200 speak. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.960 Let us 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.200 pray. 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:38.019 Father God, 00:32:38.940 --> 00:32:41.019 we pray that 00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:41.240 you would 00:32:41.240 --> 00:32:41.920 forgive us 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:44.480 for our 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:44.980 unrighteous 00:32:44.980 --> 00:32:45.480 words, 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:48.579 for our 00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:49.099 words that 00:32:49.099 --> 00:32:49.700 have started 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:51.099 all kinds 00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.759 of fires, 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:55.660 that have 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:56.139 caused 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.460 harm 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:59.000 and ruin 00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:00.680 and destruction 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:03.019 and mistrust. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:07.160 we thank 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.420 you that 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:08.740 by your 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:09.180 grace you 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.539 have come 00:33:09.539 --> 00:33:10.119 to repair 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:11.180 and heal 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.579 us. 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:14.160 We thank 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:14.559 you for 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:16.200 the reliability 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:16.819 and the 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.420 power of 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:18.279 your word, 00:33:19.039 --> 00:33:21.059 that you 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.859 have been 00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:22.500 faithful to 00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:22.940 your word, 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.259 that you 00:33:23.259 --> 00:33:23.700 sent your 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:24.299 only son, 00:33:24.379 --> 00:33:24.720 the word 00:33:24.720 --> 00:33:25.079 of God 00:33:25.079 --> 00:33:25.500 himself, 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:25.839 Jesus 00:33:25.839 --> 00:33:26.480 Christ our 00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:26.879 Lord, 00:33:26.880 --> 00:33:32.580 to save 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:34.500 us and 00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:34.960 fill us 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.360 with your 00:33:35.360 --> 00:33:36.800 spirit and 00:33:36.800 --> 00:33:37.200 give us 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:37.720 everlasting 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.240 hope. 00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:43.060 Father, 00:33:43.140 --> 00:33:43.580 we pray that 00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:43.760 you would 00:33:43.760 --> 00:33:44.480 fill our 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:44.960 hearts, 00:33:45.580 --> 00:33:46.120 fill our 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.520 hearts with 00:33:46.520 --> 00:33:47.080 your truth, 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:47.540 with your 00:33:47.540 --> 00:33:48.160 love, 00:33:48.260 --> 00:33:48.700 with your 00:33:48.700 --> 00:33:49.740 steadfastness, 00:33:49.820 --> 00:33:50.340 that our 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:50.940 words may 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.580 more and 00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.100 more come 00:33:52.100 --> 00:33:52.660 to reflect 00:33:52.660 --> 00:33:53.320 your 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:54.400 steadfast 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.240 love, 00:33:55.760 --> 00:33:56.100 your 00:33:56.099 --> 00:33:57.219 undivided 00:33:57.219 --> 00:33:58.719 loyalty and 00:33:58.719 --> 00:33:59.899 faithfulness to 00:33:59.899 --> 00:34:00.319 us. 00:34:01.339 --> 00:34:01.939 May our 00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.459 words come 00:34:02.459 --> 00:34:03.000 to reflect 00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.319 that 00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.439 steadfastness 00:34:04.439 --> 00:34:05.379 and 00:34:05.379 --> 00:34:06.119 consistency 00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:08.179 and stability 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.360 that comes 00:34:09.360 --> 00:34:09.779 from being 00:34:09.779 --> 00:34:10.339 anchored in 00:34:10.339 --> 00:34:10.559 you. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.219 We pray 00:34:12.219 --> 00:34:12.579 all these 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:12.940 things in 00:34:12.940 --> 00:34:13.139 Jesus' 00:34:13.339 --> 00:34:13.539 name. 00:34:14.360 --> 00:34:14.599 Amen.