This Sunday we continue our series in James, and will be looking again at chapter 3 verses 1-12. This is part 3 on this passage. There has been so much that James says on the tongue that I wanted to be sure we took the time to deal with all of it in depth.  In this passage James talks and focuses on the fact that the tongue is untamable and hypocritical.  James continues to say to be very careful about it, and has given warnings as to why the tongue can be such a problem for us toward others. Four warnings total (last week the 1^st three):

In this message we will look at point 3 subpoint B, and the 4^th warning.  James states that the tongue is untamable and likens it to animals that can be controlled; much unlike the tongue which “no man can tame; it is unruly evil full of deadly poison” (emphasis mine).  No one can “tame” the tongue!  That is James’s point in showing and WARNING about the tongue.  And it seems he is making his point.

The last warning he gives about the tongue is the tongue’s hypocrisy.  Another thing the tongue does: it’s hypocritical!  Literally James says it talks out of both sides of mouth; says different things to different people. He then gives 3 illustrations to show what the tongue does and to communicate to believers…dear Christians, be careful! 

O be careful tongues, what you say. Think before you speak. Watch out for harmful words!  The tongue is a fire, it is poison – it has unbelievable POWER.  Again, let’s memorize:

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth,                                                                                          keep the door of my lips.”  Psalm 141:3 

More sermon previews here.