DOCTRINAL EDUCATION FOR CHARACTER CHANGE

“The tongue”

“An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without it none can rise to an honorable eminence. But character is not inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are improved. The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime and must be the result of diligent and persevering effort. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.” Patriarchs and Prophets, Pg.223

Pro.18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

1. In the book of James, we see that he was inspired to give an analysis of the character of the humanity in general and their use of this organ given to man to express the thoughts of the heart. We will look at as much areas of this organ as possible, both physical and more so spiritual. It is doctrinal education for spiritual and character development.

Physical description and examination of the tongue shows that the tongue is the fleshy muscular organ in the mouth of a mammal, used for tasting, licking, swallowing, and (in humans) articulating speech.

The tongue is covered with moist, pink tissue called mucosa. Tiny bumps called papillae give the tongue its rough texture. Thousands of taste buds cover the surfaces of the papillae. Taste buds are collections of nerve-like cells that connect to nerves running into the brain.

The tongue is anchored to the mouth by webs of tough tissue and mucosa. The tether holding down the front of the tongue is called the frenum. In the back of the mouth, the tongue is anchored into the hyoid bone. The tongue is vital for chewing and swallowing food, as well as for speech.

Jam.1:26If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Jam.3:1-12[1] My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.[2] For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Jam.3:1-12[3] Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.[4] Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Jam.3:1-12[5] Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth![6] And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.[7] For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Jam.3:1-12[8] But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.[9] Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.[10] Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Jam.3:1-12[11] Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?[12] Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

2. Scripture teaches that whatever thoughts a man will have, that they will express, either in words or in actions or both.

Lk.6:40,43-45[40] The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Lk.6:43-45[43] For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.[44] For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.[45] A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

“The sin that leads to the most unhappy results is the cold, critical, unforgiving spirit that characterizes Pharisaism. When the religious experience is devoid of love, Jesus is not there; the sunshine of His presence is not there. No busy activity or Christless zeal can supply the lack. There may be a wonderful keenness of perception to discover the defects of others; but to everyone who indulges this spirit, Jesus says, “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” He who is guilty of wrong is the first to suspect wrong. By condemning another he is trying to conceal or excuse the evil of his own heart. It was through sin that men gained the knowledge of evil; no sooner had the first pair sinned than they began to accuse each other; and this is what human nature will inevitably do when uncontrolled by the grace of Christ….

…When men indulge this accusing spirit, they are not satisfied with pointing out what they suppose to be a defect in their brother. If milder means fail of making him do what they think ought to be done, they will resort to compulsion. Just as far as lies in their power they will force men to comply with their ideas of what is right. This is what the Jews did in the days of Christ and what the church has done ever since whenever she has lost the grace of Christ. Finding herself destitute of the power of love, she has reached out for the strong arm of the state to enforce her dogmas and execute her decrees. Here is the secret of all religious laws that have ever been enacted, and the secret of all persecution from the days of Abel to our own time.”

Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, Pg.126.1,2

3. Scripture teaches about the spiritual behavior of the tongue.

Psa.52:1-5 [1] Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.[2] Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.[3] Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.[4] Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.[5] God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee of thy out dwelling place, and root thee out of land the of the living. Selah.

Pro.18:6-8,20 [6] A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.[7] A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.[8] The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. [20] A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

“In one moment, by the hasty, passionate, careless tongue, may be wrought evil that a whole lifetime’s repentance cannot undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and healing!”

Education Pg.236.7

END OF PART 1