JAMES 3:1-12, THE TAMING OF THE TONGUE 1. Opening observations about the tongue (3:1-2) a. As the tongue goes, so goes the whole body (v. 2b) 2. The outsized influence of the tongue (3:3-8) a. A horse's bit (v. 3) b. A ship's rudder (v 4.) c. A fire's spark (v. 5-6) d. Wild animals (v. 7-8) 3. The overwhelming inconsistency of the tongue (3:9-12) a. Simultaneous praising and cursing (v. 9-10) b. Simultaneous fresh and salt water (v. 11, 12b) c. One plant producing a different fruit (v. 12a) 4. The only solution for the tongue a. The exhortation (v. 10) - it ought not be so b. The dilemma (v. 8) - no human can tame the tongue c. The answer - we need divine help i. God can control our tongue ii. Psalms 141:3 d. The short term solution (1:19) - be slow to speak e. The long term solution i. Realize the problem is not the tongue but the heart (3:12b; Matt. 12:34-35) ii. Cleanse your heart through confession of sin (1 John 1:7-9) Prayer of confession (1 John 1:7-9; Isaiah 6:5-7; James 3:2-12) "Father, I confess that I sin with my mouth. I know that on the day of judgement I will give account for every careless word I speak and by my words I am condemned. I say with Isaiah: ' Woe is me! For I am lost; i am a man/women of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips.' But your Word calls me to confess the sin of my speech. Your Word also promises that when I confess the sin of my tongue you are faithful and just to forgive me of that sin and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Cleanse my tongue through the blood of Jesus. Touch my lips and take that guilt away." Prayers of consecration - Psalms 141:3 "Set a guard, O Lodr, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!" - Psalms: 19:14 "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."