Taming your tongue

James 3

Taming the Tongue

¹Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ²We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt^[a] water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

雅各書3:1-12

3:1 我的弟兄姊妹們，你們不應該個個都想當教師，因為，你們知道當教師的要比別人受更嚴重的裁判。3:2 我們常常犯 錯誤。那在言語上沒有過錯的便是一個完全人；他能夠控制整個自己。3:3 我們把嚼環放在馬嘴裏，就能使牠馴服，驅使牠到我們要 去的地方。3:4 再看，一條船雖然那麼大，在大風的吹襲下，只用一個小小的舵操縱，就可以隨著舵手的意思，使船朝目 的地走。3:5 同樣，舌頭雖然很小，卻能夠說大話。試想，星星之火不是可以燎原嗎？3:6 舌頭正像火 一樣，在我們的肢體中是邪惡的世界，會污染全身；它藉著地獄的火燒毀我們整個人生的路程。3:7 人能夠制伏野獸、飛禽、爬蟲，和水 族；其實，他已經制伏了各類動物。3:8 但是，人從來不能制伏舌頭；它是控制不了的邪惡，充滿著致命的毒氣。3:9 我們用舌頭 頌讚我們的主、我們的天父，也用舌頭詛咒上帝按照自己的形像所造出來的人。3:10 頌讚和詛咒都是從同一張嘴巴出來！弟兄姊妹們，這 是不應該的！3:11 從同一泉源能夠湧出甜和苦兩種水來嗎？3:12 弟兄姊妹們，無花果樹不能結橄欖；葡萄樹不能結無花 果；鹹澀的水源也流不出甘甜的水來。

一、中心內容：

內容：
1>不要爭著當教導人的師傅。（v1）Do not strive to be the teachers of men. (v1)
2>言語沒有過錯，就是完全的人。（v2）Anyone who is never at fault in what he says is a perfect man. (v2)
3>舌頭所發出的力量是極大的。（v3-6）The tongue has great power. (v3-6)
4>百體中最難控制的就是舌頭。（v7-8 ）Among all things, the tongue is the most difficult part to be controlled. (v7-8)
5>舌頭（口中所出的話語）與生命息息相關。（v9-12）Words proceeding from the tongue are relevant to life. (v7-9)

主題：控制自己的舌頭 Taming your tongue

二、上帝、耶穌基督、聖靈是誰？

1>施行審判的上帝。（v1）God who judges. (v1)
2>配得頌讚的耶穌基督。（v9）Jesus Christ is worthy of praise. (V9)
3>配得頌讚的上帝。（v9）God who is worthy of praise. (V9)
4>照著自己形象造人的上帝。（v9）God created humanity in His own image. (v9)

三、給我的教訓（命令、應允、榜樣、責備、警告）是什麼？

1>當教師審判更重 Teachers will be judged more strictly
我的弟兄姊妹們，你們不應該個個都想當教師，因為，你們知道當教師的要 比別人受更嚴重的裁判。（v1）

¹Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.(v1)
當 時教會當中，有人非常崇尚「師傅」（教導者）的職份。因 為擁有這樣的職份，便象徵他的地位比別人崇高。尤其早期教會的聚會，是開放給擁有「講道恩賜」的信 徒自由發言的。然 而，卻有許多人，或許真理不明，或許知而不行，空有「能言善道的舌頭」就當起教師來，而且高談闊論、若有其事的教導。

Back then, teachers were highly esteemed among churches. To be teachers meant to hold higher status. During the time of the early church, these positions were opened to those who were gifted in preaching. However, some people who might have been good speakers, yet without clear understanding of the truth or were without deeds despite of their knowledge of the truth, assumed the position as teachers. They taught rhetorically as if they were full of knowledge.
然而，卻缺乏屬靈的智慧、缺乏敬虔的生命、缺乏聖潔的生活、缺乏蒙召的 確據，卻當起教師來，是十分危險的事，因為末日要受更重的審判！因此，雅各認為師傅（教導人）的職份，不應該任意爭取。

It is extremely dangerous to assume the position of teachers, especially when spiritual wisdom, a godly and holy life and a clear calling are absent. They will be strictly judged on the final day. Therefore, James warned that people should not assume the teacher’s position without discretion.
反省：我是否常常扮演教導者的角色？我是否明白自己所教導的真理。當我 教導他人之前，自己是否先做到了？
Reflection: Do I always assume the teacher’s role? Do I have good understanding of the Truth and do it before I proceed teaching it to others?

2>言語無過即完全 Perfect are those who are without faults in words.

我們常常犯錯誤。那在言語上沒有過錯的便是一個完全人；他能夠控制整個 自己。（v2）

²We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. (v2)
根據聖經的教導，以及實際生活經驗，我們可以得知：人類大多數的過失， 都跟言語有關。因此，人若能控制自己的舌頭，也就是能夠謹慎自己的言語，大概就能控制全人，犯錯的機會自然降低許多。這樣，他就可以 稱為完全（完美）的人，也就是品德上沒有瑕疵的人。

According to the teaching in the Bible and experiences from real life, we know that most of the mistakes humans make all have something to do with words. If a man could control his tongue and speak with discretion, he might control his whole being as well, thus the chance of making mistakes may be greatly reduced. This person could be considered perfect, because there is no moral flaw in him.
反 省：我是否經常注意自己的言語？都習慣任意脫口而出？還 是三思而後行？是否經常口出穢言？是否經常出口傷人？是否經常搬弄是非？甚至經常挑撥離間？或是經 常化解誤會、促成 和平？我的言語，大多數是祝福人？安慰人？鼓勵人？造就人？或是：欺騙人？咒詛人？傷害人？拆毀人----？
Reflection: Am I always watchful with my words? Is my tongue always loose? Do I think before I leap? Do filthy words constantly proceed from my mouth? Do my words always hurt people who hear them? Do my words constantly stir up dissension? Do my words always dissolve misunderstandings and promote peace? Are my words blessing, comforting and encouraging? Do they build people up? Are my words deceitful? Do they curse, undermine and destroy people?
3>小小舌頭影響大 Little tongue, great influence
我 們把嚼環放在馬嘴裏，就能使牠馴服，驅使牠到我們要去的地 方。再看，一條船雖然那麼大，在大風的吹襲下，只用一個小小的舵操縱，就可以隨著舵手的意思，使 船朝目的地走。同 樣，舌頭雖然很小，卻能夠說大話。試想，星星之火不是可以燎原嗎？舌頭正像火一樣，在我們的肢體中是邪惡的世界，會污染全身；它藉著 地獄 的火燒毀我們整個人生的路程。（v3-6）

³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (V3-6)
在百體（身體）之中，舌頭是極其微小的一部份，但是卻能說大話（自誇自 大），並產生極大的影響力。正如 小小的嚼環，卻能調動馬匹的全身；也如小小的船舵，卻能轉動船舶的方向；更如小小的火苗，卻能燃燒 整個森林。因此，一句話可以改變人的一生、一句話可以改 變國家的命運、一句話可以改變世界的局勢。

Among all things, the tongue is the least part and yet it can boast to create great impacts. Just as a small bit controls a horse; as a rudder controls a ship’s direction and as a small spark puts a forest on fire. Words can change people’s lives, a country’s destiny and the world’s situation.
反省：我是否經歷過「因一句話造就一個人」或「因一句話毀滅一個人」的 經驗？我是否隨時留意自己的話語？我的話語大都帶給人祝福？或帶給人咒詛？
Reflection: Do I have the experience of making or breaking a person with words? Am I watchful whenever I talk? Do my words bring blessings or curses upon people?
4>小小舌頭控制難 The littlest tongue is least controllable
人能夠制伏野獸、飛禽、爬蟲，和水族；其實，他已經制伏了各類動物。但 是，人從來不能制伏舌頭；它是控制不了的邪惡，充滿著致命的毒氣。（v7-8）

⁷All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (v7-8)
上帝所造的萬物當中，有很多都已經能夠控制了，如：巨大如鯨魚、大象都 能控制；又如：凶猛如獅子、老虎等，也都能馴服。唯獨人的舌頭，是最難以控制的。

Among God’s creations, many animals as huge as whales and elephants; as ferocious as lions and tigers can be tamed by man. The most untamable thing is a human’s tongue.
反省：我是否曾經有過「不吐不快」的感覺？就是因為隱忍不住，所以隨即 脫口而出。但是一經說出之後，卻又發現事態嚴重、覆水難收，而後悔不已？
Reflection: Do I have the experience of feeling not being able to hold my tongue? For instance, because I could not hold my tongue and I let my words run loosely, the situation worsened and resulted in severe consequences and I regretted it?
5>小小舌頭應保守 Keep the little tongue in check
我 們用舌頭頌讚我們的主、我們的天父，也用舌頭詛咒 上帝按照自己的形像所造出來的人。頌讚和詛咒都是從同一張嘴巴出來！弟兄姊妹們，這是不應該的！從同一泉 源能夠湧出甜和苦 兩種水來嗎？弟兄姊妹們，無花果樹不能結橄欖；葡萄樹不能結無花果；鹹澀的水源也流不出甘甜的水來。（v9-12）

⁹With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. ¹⁰Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. ¹¹Can both fresh water and salt^[a] water flow from the same spring? ¹²My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. (V9-12)
從口中所出的 言語，跟內在所蘊含的生命，有著極為密切的關連。如 以泉源作為比擬，裏面所蘊含的泉源，如果是潔淨的，那麼絕對不會流出污穢的泉水來。同樣的道理，一個人 裏面若蘊含有屬靈 的生命，那麼口中絕對不會流出惡毒、污穢的話語來。一個常常親近上帝、頌讚上帝的人，絕對不會從同一個口中，流出咒詛別人的話語來。 因為 裏面（生命當中）所擁有的是什麼，流露出來的也是什麼。

Words proceeding from the mouth have everything to do with the inner life. As dirty water cannot flow out from clear and clean fountains; so will not wicked and filthy words flow from the mouth of a spiritual person. Curses will not come out from a person who is always close to God and who worships Him. What man’s heart is full of will naturally come out from his mouth.
反省：再一次檢視自我，從我口中經常流露出來的，是什麼樣的話語？我是 否曾經到禮拜堂的時候，高聲歌頌、讚美上帝，但是一旦回到日常生活當中，卻又常常口出尖酸、刻薄、輕挑、惡毒、咒罵、褻瀆、污穢的言 語？
Reflection: To keep my words in check again, what comes out of my mouth? Do I worship God by singing out loud in church services and let merciless, frivolous, wicked, cursing, blasphemous and filthy words run freely when I am at home?
6>舌頭如罪惡世界 Tongue is like an evil world
舌頭正像火一樣，在我們的肢體中是邪惡的世界，會污染全身；它藉著地獄 的火燒毀我們整個人生的路程。（v6）但是，人從來不能制伏舌頭；它是控制不了的邪惡，充滿著致命的毒氣。（v8）

⁶The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (v6) ⁸but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (v8)
雅各將舌頭形容為罪惡的世界，尤其就像火焚燒一樣，不僅會污染我們的全 身，也會燒毀整個人生的路程。因此，未受制伏的舌頭，遺害極為廣大。正如：經常搬弄是非、挑撥離間、譏笑詆毀、自吹自擂、誇大其詞、 撒謊詐欺、阿諛奉承----等。

James described tongue as an evil world and a burning fire. They corrupt our whole being and set our life on fire. An untamed tongue will do great damages. It gossips, stirs up dissension, mocks, slanders, boasts, exaggerates, lies, cheats and flatters…etc.
反省：我要如何約束自己的舌頭？如何實踐「凡事三思而後言」的原則？
Reflection: How can hold my tongue? How could I practice the principle of thinking before I leap?
7>話語應使人獲益 Words should benefit others
一句話說得合宜，就如金蘋果在銀網子裡。（箴言25:11）
污穢的言語一句不可出口，只要隨事說造就人的好話，叫聽見的人得益處。（以弗所書4:29）

¹¹ A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

²⁹Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (See Ephesians 4:29)

說 話合宜是一件非常重要，卻十分不容易的事，指的是：適當的時機，說適當的話語，以及約束自己的舌頭，不說不該說的話。而且不說污穢人 的言語，應該說造就人的好話，使凡聽見的人，都得著益處。（以弗所書4:29）

Though it is very important to speak appropriately, it is not an easy thing to do. It means to speak the right words at the right time and to restrain one’s tongue not to speak inappropriate and defiling words, but to speak words which can build people up, so that they will benefit the one who speaks and listens.

反省：我平時的言談都如何？常常天馬行空、言不及義？或損人利己？或傷人傷己？ 或是使人得益處？從我口中所出的話語合宜嗎？
Reflection: How are my daily words and deeds? Are my words futile and unwholesome? Do they hurt others for my personal benefit? Do they hurt both others and me? Are they beneficial to others? Are the words of my mouth appropriate?
四、我的禱告 / 實際應用