Lesson 45,
3:5 The damage of an uncontrolled tongue.
So also
the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
- boasting in great
things brings into focus the arrogance displayed in uncontrolled speech.
NOTE: this phrase marks a transition in his
argument
- previously
the illustrations showed the importance of control
- now
he's going to develop the concept of how destructive an uncontrolled tongue can
be.
Behold, how great a forest is set on fire by such a small fire.
- from this he's going
to develop how the tongue can set in motion forces which are tremendously
destructive.
Summary: 3:5
1. The tongue like
fire when it is controlled is very useful and beneficial.
2. The tongue if it
does not have the proper helmsman in charge becomes uncontrolled and
destructive.
3. Boasting being a S/O/T is a product of & directed by sin nature. (wrong helmsman)
4. Just as the small
spark can ignite the great forest an uncontrolled tongue can initiate forces
and movements that are just as destructive.
5. When in doubt the best
course is to keep one's mouth shut.
6. The point most effective in controlling
the tongue is with the thought process before it escapes in speech. Prov 17:27-28;
3:6 The nature of the uncontrolled tongue
And the
tongue is a fire, the very world
of iniquity;
- kosmos
- is used to denote the vast orderly system under the control and influence of
Satan - the master counterfeiter
- his
world is one of avdiki,a - iniquity
(ok); unrighteousness maladjustment to
the thinking of LJC.
PRIN: No other part
of our body has comparable power/range of influence for evil as the tongue, it
is able to give utterance to every evil thought - motive, and put this
evil into words, communication.
the tongue is set among our members as that which
defiles the entire body,
- The uncontrolled
tongue results in spiritual decay/degeneracy - moral leprosy (very destructive)
and sets on fire the course of our life
- just
as a forest fire rages, the Believer who habitually operates under S/O/T only
produces self-induced misery
and is set on fire by hell
- During the days of
King Ahaz and Manasseh, human sacrifices were offered
in Ge-hinom to the pagan god Molech. 2 Chrn. 28:3; 33:6; Jer
7:31
Summary 3:6
1. The tongue is a
fire, is a metaphor depicting the destructive nature of the tongue. Ps 57:4; 120:1-4; Prov 16:27-28; 26:20-21
2. The tongue then
not controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit empowering and illuminating BD is
potentially very dangerous.
3. So much so that if
the tongue is not controlled ones whole person and life will be defiled by its
actions.
- Mt
4. There are few sins
that we can commit in which the tongue is not involved to some degree.
5. The phrase sets on fire
the course of our life indicates the
tongues capacity to incite sin nature activity.
6. The corrupting
influence of the tongue unchecked spreads to ever increasing areas of one's
life - affecting the relationships one has with others. (family - friends -
co-workers)
7. James uses the
term "hell" - gehenna
to indicate that demonic influences are behind verbal sinning and evil.
8. Our speech as
believers should link us to the N&S of the Royal law, the law of
liberty. [2:8; 12]
9. Speech is a gift
which demands that we exercise great care and responsibility in its use.