In the early 2000s, The Hillsong Church had been a megachurch led by a very noted pastor. However, the church faced scrutiny due to allegations against leaders regarding financial misconduct and personal behavior. As a well-respected pastor he faced serious backlash after a rumor spread that he had been unfaithful to his wife. The rumor originated from a misinterpreted social media post and was amplified by the church’s need to gossip. Despite no evidence to support the claim, the gossip spread rapidly among the congregation, leading to heated discussions and divisions within the church.

Even after the pastor addressed the issue publicly and confirmed his commitment to his family and faith, the damage had been done. Many members lost trust in the churches leadership and the church found itself in a crisis. The incident left a lasting blot on the church and community, reminding members of the profound impact that unfounded gossip can have on relationships and trust within a church setting.

Gossip is a multi-million dollar industry as is evident by the tabloids circulation that grosses 3.8 million dollars. They bemoan the public is more than willing to buy their product. Today gossip has taken a professional form it is called Fake news. The definition of Fake news is exactly the same as gossip. This false information is mainly distributed by social media, but is periodically circulated through mainstream media. Gossip, is a pervasive element of human interaction, to exert influence on this existing society. While often dismissed as harmless chatter, its impact can be far-reaching.

Celebrity gossip is another prime example. Websites like TMZ and Perez Hilton thrive on news, often unverified, about actors, musicians, and athletes. The rise of social media has amplified the speed and reach of gossip where rumors and speculation spread rapidly and uncontrollably.

Moreover, gossips infiltrate various institutions, from workplaces to political arenas and yes even the church. It can erode trust, demoralize and create a toxic environment. In the political sphere, gossip has been weaponized.

To understand why gossip is so dangerous we must understand what gossip is. The King James Version uses the word “whispering” or “whisperers” to translate the word that we usually think of as “gossip.” There is another Greek term that usually comes to us in Scripture as the word “slander,” and it carried the idea of hurting someone openly. Sometimes, we hear it as a “backbiter, talebearer.” The idea is that we are tearing down someone’s character out in the open. Gossip isn’t something we are proud of but something people are caught up in.

Solomon warned us about gossip in the Old Testament Book of Proverbs and here we have solid confirmation in the New Testament on this issue from the instruction of James. It was James who coin the “expression – The tongue is an unruly evil full of deadly poison.

By far the most common sin among Christians involves the use of ones tongue. Someone once wrote, “the tongue is more deadly than the screaming shells of a cannon. It wins without killing. It tears down homes, break hearts and wrecks lives. Using lies, gossip, slander and deceit it topples governments, wrecks marriages, ruins careers, destroys reputations, causes nightmares, spawns suspicion, and generates grief”. There are many victims of a loose tongue.

Loose tongue, contentious tongues have hindered the work of God a thousand times over. Critical tongues have closed the church doors. Careless tongues have broken the hearts and health of many. It is the number one device Satan’s uses to destroy Christ’s church. It ruins the communion of the saints that is so vital to the oneness necessary to function with the power of the Holy Spirit. The question today is, “Is my tongue being used as a tool in Satan’s workshop? Is my tongue use to glorify God or empower Satan?

I.The Importance of a Controlled tongue vv. 1,

1.) Although James doesn’t mention the tongue in verse 1, the content clearly refers to the matter of speech. He warned his readers not to be ambitious for a teaching position because a teacher has the potential to misuse the tongue and receive the greater condemnation. The word translated condemnation (Kre’ma) means “judgment.” Being a master / teacher one who is fitted to teach, or thinks himself so. Preaching God’s Word is a serious responsibly because of the potential to mislead people. It can be misused to elevate oneself in the eyes of the hearers rather than Christ. Teachers need to be an example of a truthful tongue.

2. It seems some of James’ readers did not recognize that teaching in the church is a spiritual gift (I Cor. 12:28) and the gift is for the edification of the church. However, self-appointed teachers were trying to build themselves up. They wanted to be thought of as intelligent, wiser than others, and as people who were a notch or two above everybody else.

The root cause is a proud attitude. Everybody wants to be a teacher to put in the vernacular we have too many chiefs and not enough Indians. James cautions leaders to be careful to examine ones’ motive and the Lord’s direction. If any man can control the tongue he can handle the rest of his life without difficulty. This is the test. ***Is your tongue under control or is it being used as a tool in Satan’s workshop?

The most sobering words Jesus ever uttered had to do with this matter of influence on others. The Lord Jesus said to his disciples “If any of you offend one of these who believe in me, it would be better for him that a millstone be hanged about his neck and he be cast into the sea and drowned,” {CF, Matt 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2}. Think of that. It is better to be drowned than to let your tongue be an offense or a cause of offense to someone else. James gives us some illustration of the influence of the tongue.

II. The Ability of the Tongue (3:2-5)

1. James shifts his attention from teachers to all believers in verse 2, “For in many things we offend all.” The word translated offend is the same Greek word translated offend in 2:10 and is a synonym for the word “sin. A good translation of this verse would be that we all stumble.

2) Those little member or object such as the bits in a horses’ mouth and the helm of a ship will guide it where the captain wants it to go. What often holds the greatest influence may appear insignificant. The size doesn’t matter. It can be very powerful. So we see the importance of having control over such a little yet powerful member of the body!

That is “perfect” a mature person, so James is demanding here that we recognize that living faith shows itself in the control of the tongue. It is a small member of the body but it has potential for great good or evil. Dr. Charles Swindol once said,” I am personally convinced that the number one enemy of Christian unity is the tongue. People who spread rumors invariably display a lack of wisdom”. Now that leads to the destruction of what an uncontrolled tongue can do. James likens it to…

III. Destruction of an uncontrolled Tongue….vv. 5,6

1) The tongue can be compared to a little fire. The tongue is like a match, when out of control this little fire can set a forest up in a blaze. Washington Irving once said, “a sharp tongue is the only edge tool that grows sharper with constant use”. Don’t let your tongue be a tool in Satan’s demolition shop. Here is a graphic illustration of how fatal the tongue can be.

Illustration: Arthur J. Snider, writing in the Chicago Daily News, says that the average person can see a dot as small as eight-thousandths of an inch in diameter. But this is about 14,000 times larger than the smallest known virus. Yet these microbes are the cause of at least 500 human diseases, some of which are very serious and can even be fatal. The Bible tells of another small thing that can inflict great harm. It’s that “little member” known as the tongue. Unfortunately there is no vaccine to bring its deadly effects under control. Be careful your tongue is not a tool in Satan’s demolition shop.

#2) When the tongue is out of control it is very noticeable in the church. There is something wrong with the spirit within the body of the church. You will notice it at times when you find people in a small group and you enter the room and there is first the hiss of the gossip and then comes that silent hush; like oh, we weren’t saying anything. The church is the one place where we must edify one another with our lips not demean one another. When this occurs the communion is affected. The tongues can be like deadly poison vv. 7-8. Most deadly animals can be tamed, we see them on stages at circuses but the tongue hasn’t ever been tamed. It shoots its’ venom of deadly poison.

Conclusion:

Beware of gossiping in the church and being gossiping members. Don’t speak idle words and get into a gossip session. Don’t let your tongue be a tool in Satan’s work shop. Jesus gave stern warning in Matthew 12: 36— But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. Proverbs 11:13 Is your tongue under control or is it being used as a tool in Satan’s workshop?