Good News from Stony Creek Church of Christ

Our tongue is “a world of iniquity”

James 3:6 describes the tongue as “a world of iniquity” and goes on to say that it is small in size but vast in corruption – so corrupt that it defiles the whole person and is “set on fire by hell” (James 3:6).

The bible often describes “the world” as something outside the church. But James forces us to look inward: the “world within our own mouths.” In this small member of the body – this bundle of flesh, muscles, and nerves – resides the capacity for sin and great evil – and its birthplace is hell. Though we choose how to use it, Scripture shows how deeply it can be corrupted.

This corruption shows itself in many forms:

• Speech that distorts truth: Lying (Prov 6:16–19; 12:22; Eph 4:25; Col 3:9–10; Rev 21:8), Exaggeration or misleading speech (Mt 5:37; Js 5:12; 2 Pt 2:3), Manipulative or deceitful speech (Ps 55:21; Prov 26:24–26; Rom 16:18; Eph 4:14; 2 Cor 11:13–14; Col 2:8), and Teaching falsely (Jer 23:16; Dt 18:20–22; Js 3:1; 2 Pt 2:1; 2 Tim 4:3–4; Titus 1:10–11)
• Speech that harms others: Gossip (Prov 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; Rom 1:29–30; 1 Tim 5:13), Backbiting (Ps 101:5; Prov 10:18; Lev 19:16; 2 Cor 12:20; Js 4:11; Titus 3:2), Mocking (Prov 9:7–8; 17:5; 21:24; Lk 18:32; Mk 15:29–32; Heb 11:36), Quarrelsome/divisive talk (Prov 6:16–19; 10:12; 16:28; 2 Tim 2:23–24; Titus 3:9–10), Angry outbursts (Prov 14:17; 15:18; 16:32; 29:11; Mt 5:22; Eph 4:26–27, 31; Col 3:8), Overly critical speech (Mt 7:1–5; Lk 6:37; Rom 14:10–13; Jas 4:11–12; 5:9), Complaining, grumbling, and whining (Ex 16:8; Num 14:2, 27; Dt 1:27; Ps 106:27; Phil 2:14–15; 1 Cor 10:10; Js 5:9)
• Speech that exalts “self”: Boasting (Prov 21:24; Jer 9:23–24; 1 Cor 1:29–31; 4:7; Jas 4:16), Prideful talk (Prov 8:13; 16:18; Lk 18:11–14), Flattery (Ps 12:3–4; Prov 26:28; 29:6; Rom 16:17–18; 1 Thess 2:5)
• Speech that dishonors God: Cursing (Prov 4:24; 10:31–32; 15:4; Eph 5:4; Col 3:8; Mt 5:22), Taking God’s name in vain (Ex 20:7; Dt 5:11; Lev 19:12; Ps 29:2; 34:3; Mal 1:11; Mt 6:9), Blasphemy (Lev 24:16; 2 Kings 19:6; Is 52:9; Ezek 20:27; Mt 12:31–32; 1 Tim 1:13; Rev 13:6)
• Speech that corrupts the heart and community: Embittering words (Eph 4:31; Heb 12:15; Jas 3:14–16), Defrauding others (Prov 11:1; Micah 6:10–11; 1 Thess 4:6; Eph 4:28; Jas 5:4), and idle words / careless speech (Prov 10:19; 13:3; 17:27; Ecc 5:3; Ps 141:3; Mt 12:36–37; Jas 1:26)

Truly, our tongues are a “world of iniquity.” But Scripture does not leave us only with warning – it also calls us to renewal. God’s greatest desire is to take those who belong to Christ, change their hearts, so that it will change how we use our tongue.

Ephesians 4:20-24, 29 says, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness … 29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.”

Paul says those taught by Christ use their words differently than those who are not; the world around us (Ephesians 4:17-19). Christians have a renewed purpose for their tongues. God wants to change our speech – He cares what we say. As Paul explains, we must “put off… corrupt speech” that tears down, does harm, and destroys; and “put on” speech that speaks truth, gives grace, and builds up others in pointing them to Christ.

Do not forget what Jesus said: “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). The mouth does not merely reveal vocabulary – it reveals what is in our heart. That’s the rule.

So, we need to be careful with our words – not only in guarding what we say, but also in allowing God to shape what is within us. As our minds are transformed by God (Romans 12:2), the way we think about our speech will be renewed (Ephesians 4:23) and our speech will begin to reflect the One to whom we should belong.

Visitors are welcome and valued. We meet at 15530 Herriman Blvd., Noblesville. Our phone number is (463) 287-0664. We meet for Sunday morning Bible Study at 10 a.m. and have classes for all ages. Worship begins at 11 a.m. and we have a Bible Study Wednesdays at 7 p.m. A warm welcome awaits!