This page contains a short article I wrote some years ago, followed by an old sermon outline presenting a similar lesson. Both are entitled "It's Not Your Big Toe".

Short Article

It's Not Your Big Toe

There is a war going on within every one of us. It is a war between our "fleshly lusts" and the virtuous aspirations of the soul. Peter speaks of "fleshly desires which wage war against the soul" (1Pe 2:11). James warns of the "pleasures that wage war in your members" (Jas 4:1). Paul confides, "I discipline my body and make it my slave, lest after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" (ICo 9:27).

If I were to ask you which member of your body troubles you the most, and is your most unruly instrument of sin, which member of your body would you name? I'm sure it would not be your navel, or your big toe. Which part of your body is the culprit then?

James names one member of the body which is hardest to control, and which defiles the whole body. It is only a small member, yet does enormous damage, like a small flame that kindles a huge bushfire. If one can bring this small member into subjection, one is able to control or bridle the whole body, just as a small bit in a horse's mouth is used to control the whole beast, or a small rudder a large ship. The member James refers to is the tongue (Jas 3:1-12).

James is speaking about our tendency to "stumble in word" (Jas 3:2). He refers to our difficulty in controlling what we say. The tongue (as an organ of speech) can do untold damage.

The sins of the tongue, the ways in which we can stumble or offend in word, are manifest...

• Lying (Eph 4:25)
• Unwholesome language (Eph 4:29-30)
• Bitterness and wrath (Eph 4:31-32)
• Foolish and coarse jesting (Eph 5:4)
• Busybodying and gossip (lTi 5:13)

...and so forth. Our Master warns us about the need to control our tongues. "The things which proceed from the mouth come from the heart, and those defile a man. And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment" (Mtt 15:18 12:36-37).

Sermon Outline

Introduction

James tells us that there is one member of the human body that is a very small member yet boasts great things. It is set among our members as the one that defiles the whole body. It's not your big toe, it's your tongue. It is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. (Jas 3:1-12).

The person who controls his tongue and speech is able to control his whole body and the course of his life.

Good Ways of Speaking

• The things we say to people can build them up (Eph 4:29 Col 4:6)
• Praise, blessing, thanksgiving are forms of good speech (eg Num 6:24-26 Lke 1:46-55).
• The "fruit of the Spirit" suggest some good kinds of speech (Gal 5:22-23).

Unwholsome Speech

• The ABC of unwholesome speech:
  • Abusive (Col 3:8 Gal 5:15)
  • Boastful (Jas 4:16)
  • Coarse (Eph 5:4)
• Another form of unwholesome speech is lying (Eph 4:25 Col 3:9).
• Yet another is busybodying, slander, and gossip (lTi 5:13).

The Heart Controls the Tongue

• "The tongue can defile the whole body and set on fire the course of life" (Jas 3:6)
• However, "The mouth speaks out of what fills the heart" (Mtt 12:34-37 cf Mrk 7:20-23)
• When a man "does not bridle his tongue", it is because he is "deceiving his own heart" (Jas 1:26).
• So let us make our hearts true, that we may bridle our tongues to speak what is good.

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