2025-04-15 Taming the Tongue 制伏舌头

Taming the Tongue 制伏舌头 (James 雅3:1-12)

We’ve been looking at the book of James for the past two months. 我们分享雅各书已经两个月了，Today, we’ll explore chapter 3: 1-12, 今天，我们来看第三章1-12节：1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 1我的弟兄们，不要多人作师傅，因晓得我们要受更重的判断。2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 2原来我们在许多事上都有过失；若有人在话语上没有过失，他就是完全人，也能勒住自己的全身。3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 3我们若把嚼环放在马嘴里，叫它顺服，就能调动它的全身。4 Or 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. 4看哪，船只虽然甚大，又被大风催逼，只用小小的舵，就随着掌舵的意思转动。5 Likewise, 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. 5这样，舌头在百体里也是最小的，却能说大话。看哪，最小的火能点着最大的树林。6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 6舌头就是火，在我们百体中，舌头是个罪恶的世界，能污秽全身，也能把生命的轮子点起来，并且是从地狱里点着的。

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 7各类的走兽、飞禽、昆虫、水族，本来都可以制伏，也已经被人制伏了；8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 8惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是不止息的恶物，满了害死人的毒气。9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 9我们用舌头颂赞那为主、为父的，又用舌头咒诅那照着　神形像被造的人。10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 10颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来，我的弟兄们，这是不应当的。11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 11泉源从一个眼里能发出甜苦两样的水吗？12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. 12我的弟兄们，无花果树能生橄榄吗？葡萄树能结无花果吗？咸水里也不能发出甜水来。

1, The tongue has power. (v.1-6) 舌头有能力（v.1-6）

How many of us enjoy talking? 有多少人爱说话？Have you ever made a joke, or said something that upset someone, even though you didn’t mean to? 有没有开过玩笑或说了什么话，让别人不高兴，尽管不是故意的？Words have power. 言语有能力，They can build up faith or bring destruction. 它们可以建立信心，也可以带来毁灭。In chapter 3, James begins by addressing teachers, preachers, group leaders, even parents, who pass on truth. 在第三章中，雅各首先对教师、传道人、小组领袖，甚至父母们说话，他们传递真理。Teaching is a high calling with serious responsibility, as God holds us accountable for our words. 教导是一项崇高的使命，责任重大，神要我们对自己的言语负责，because Jesus didn’t just speak truth, He lived it. 因耶稣不仅仅讲真理，祂也活出了真理。This warning isn’t to make us afraid to speak, but to help us realise the influence of our words. 这告诫不是为了让我们害怕说话，而是帮助我们认识言语的影响力。When we understand the power of the tongue, we can learn to use it to bring life. 当我们明白舌头的能力时，我们可以学会用它来带来生命。From v.3 to 6, James gives us three vivid analogies to show the power of the tongue:  第3到6节，雅各给了我们三个生动的比喻显明舌头的能力：

·      A bit in a horse’s mouth (v.3) – Though small, it can steer the entire animal. 马嘴里的嚼环（v.3）——虽然小，却能控制整个动物。

·      A rudder on a ship (v.4) – Tiny compared to the ship, but it controls the direction, even in strong winds. 船上的舵（v.4）——与船相比很小，但在强风中也能控制方向。

·      A small spark (v.5-6) – It can set a whole forest on fire.    小火星（v.5-6）——能点燃整个森林。

The tongue is small but powerful. If left uncontrolled, it can harm others and damage our lives. 舌头虽小却威力强大，若不加控制，它会伤害他人、破坏生命。Proverbs 箴10:19, too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut. 多言多语难免有过，禁止嘴唇是有智慧。 Proverbs 箴18:7, A fool’s mouths is his ruin; and his lips are a snare to his soul. 愚昧人的口自取败坏，他的嘴是他生命的网罗。They remind us that our tongues can cause trouble, including financial loss and damaged relationships. 这些话提醒我们，舌头会带来麻烦，包括经济损失和关系破裂。Twenty years ago, a sister joined our home church but refused to forgive others. 二十年前，一位姊妹加入了我们的家庭教会，但她拒绝饶恕他人。For four years, she spread gossip and lies, bringing poverty and broken relationships upon herself. 四年时间，她散布谣言和谎言，给自己带来贫穷和破裂的关系。When she was pregnant, God told us that her child would be born with a disability. 当她怀孕时，神告诉我们她的孩子会有残疾。The whole church anxiously waited, and her son was indeed born with a severe harelip, symbolising unclean lips. 整个教会都焦急地等待，果然，她的儿子出生时有严重的兔唇，象征着嘴唇不洁。Through this, the whole church, all first-generation Christians, learnt God is loving and just, and began revering Him by turning away from evil. 藉着这件事，整个教会的第一代基督徒，认识了神既慈爱又公正，就开始敬畏神，远离邪恶。

2, Taming the tongue starts with changing the heart. (v.7-12) 制伏舌头从改变心开始。（v.7-12）

“v.7, All kinds of animals… have been tamed, 各类的走兽……也已经被人制伏了； v.8, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” 惟独舌头没有人能制伏，是不止息的恶物，满了害死人的毒气。 That sounds harsh, doesn’t it? 这听起来很严厉，是吧？James is being honest, none of us can fully tame the tongue. 雅各很诚实，说我们没有人能完全制伏舌头，And we all stumble in many ways. 我们在许多事上都有过失。This isn't meant to leave us feeling hopeless. 说这话不是为了让我们感到灰心，Rather, he is reminding us that our own efforts, whether trying to impress others with flattering words or remaining silent out of fear, can never truly please God. 而是提醒我们，我们自己的努力，无论是试图用奉承话讨好人，还是因惧怕不开口，都不能真正取悦神。After the AGM, some members have raised constructive not destructive questions that will help us, as we continue to discuss and make decisions together for the future of the church. 在教会年度大会后，一些肢体提出了建设性而非破坏性的意见，有益于我们对教会未来的讨论和决策。Speaking the truth in love is what truly builds the church up. 用爱心说诚实话，才是真正建立教会的方式。

In v. 9–12, James says we praise God with our tongue, then criticize people made in His image, “this should not be.” 在第9-12节中，雅各说我们用舌头赞美神，然后批评按神形像造的人，“这是不应当的。” He uses simple examples: fresh water can’t flow from a salty spring, and a fig tree can’t produce olives. 他用简单的例子：甜水不能从咸水泉源里流出，无花果树不能结橄榄。In the same way, our words reveal what’s really going on in our hearts. 同样，我们的言语揭示了我们内心的真实状况。In other words, the issue with our words is an issue of the heart. 换句话说，言语的问题是心的问题。For example, in the NT, Peter denied Jesus three times, saying, "I don't know him," because his words were shaped by the fear in his heart 例如，在新约中，彼得三次不认主，说：“我不认识他，”因心中的惧怕塑造出口中的话 (Luke 路22:54–62). Likewise, the older brother in the prodigal son story couldn't celebrate his brother’s return. 同样，浪子回头的故事中，哥哥没有因弟弟的归来而欢喜，He spoke bitterly to his father: 却对父亲说了苦涩的话："You never gave me even a young goat." 你并没有给我一只山羊羔。(Luke路15:29) His wounded heart shaped resentful words 受伤的心塑造出怨恨的话语(Luke 路15:25–30). Romans 罗12:15 urges us to  “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,” 罗12:15敦促我们，与喜乐的人要同乐，与哀哭的人要同哭。

It’s often easier to mourn than to truly rejoice with others if our hearts remain wounded. 若我们的心仍然受伤，往往更容易哀哭而不是与他人同乐。At our AGM, we celebrated God’s blessings in 2024. 在年度大会上，我们因神在2024年的祝福而高兴欢喜。And this week, more good news: our English Classes received a $12,000 Tindall Grant! 这周又有好消息：我们的英语课程得到Tindall基金会$12,000的赞助！Praise the Lord! 赞美主！Huge thanks to all our volunteers who’ve played a part in fulfilling God’s dream. 非常感谢所有志愿者，他们参与了神的蓝图。But sometimes, when someone has achieved something, the enemy may whisper to a wounded heart, “Why them? why not me?” 但有时，当别人取得成就时，仇敌可能会对受伤的心低语：“为什么是他们？为什么不是我？” Jesus said, “The Spirit of Lord is sent to bind up the brokenhearted.” 主耶和华的灵……差遣我医好伤心的人。(Isa赛61:1) God wants to heal our hearts before we can tame the tongue. ”神盼望在我们驯服舌头之前，先医治我们的心。Today, we don’t have enough time to go into the details of healing. 今天，我们不够时间来分享医治，But healing involves being honest before God, surrendering, forgiving, and letting go of pain. 但医治包括在神面前坦诚，降服，饶恕，放下痛苦。It’s not always easy, but as we surrender to the work of the Spirit of truth in us, our words begin to reflect healing, not hurt, life, not death. 这并不总是容易的，但当我们内心降服于真理的灵，我们的言语就开始反映出医治而不是伤害，生命而不是死亡。Only a transformed heart can truly produce a transformed tongue. 心改变了，舌头才会改变。

3, Let’s get practical. 操练改变舌头。

Proverbs 箴18:21 says: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” 生死在舌头的权下，喜爱它的，必吃它所结的果子。 Our words carry spiritual power, and they affect our own lives. 我们的言语带有属灵的力量，会影响我们的生命。Negative words like criticism, complaining, gossip, fear wear us down. 负面的话语如批评、抱怨、谣言、惧怕会让我们疲惫不堪。In Numbers 13–14, ten spies returned from the Promised Land full of fear. 在民数记13-14章，十个探子从应许之地回来，充满了惧怕。They agreed with their bad feelings, and said, “we can’t do it. They’re like giants and we’re like grasshoppers.”他们认同了自己的坏感觉，说：“我们做不到。他们像巨人，我们像蚱蜢。”God replied, “As you have spoken, so will I do.” , 神回应说：“我必要照你们达到我耳中的话待你们。” (Num 民14:28). Their words shaped their future, and they didn’t enter the Promised Land. 他们的话语塑造了他们的未来，他们没有进入应许之地。But Joshua and Caleb spoke with faith: 但约书亚和迦勒充满信心地说：“We can certainly do it. God is with us.” “我们足能得胜……有耶和华与我们同在。”  Their faith-filled words led them to receive God’s promise. 他们充满信心的话语使他们得着神的应许。Our words shape the atmosphere of our homes, workplaces, church, and even our own hearts. 我们的言语塑造了我们家庭、工作场所、教会，甚至我们自己内心的氛围。

You might hear some people say, 'The Church is declining, we don’t need any more space…' 你可能听到有人说，“教会人数在下降，我们不需要扩大地方……”But you can speak with faith and say, 但你可以充满信心地说：“No, our God is alive, He is doing marvellous work in our midst. He is reviving His church. He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, so we’ll need more space for the future…”  “不，我们的神活着，祂正在我们中间做奇妙的工作，祂正在复兴教会，祂能做超过我们所求所想的，将来我们要更大的地方……”When we agree with God, we create space for Him to move. 当我们认同神，我们就为祂创造了行动的空间。Our words shape our future! 我们的言语塑造未来！Now, here are some practical ways we can start taming our tongues, and you’ll see things begin to change: 现在，这里有一些操练的方法，我们来开始制伏我们的舌头，然后你就会看到事情开始改变：

A, Honour God with your words. 用言语尊荣神。

Psa 诗8:1-2, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. 耶和华我们的主啊，你的名在全地何其美！你将你的荣耀彰显于天。2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies to silence the foe and the avenger. 2你因敌人的缘故，从婴孩和吃奶的口中建立了能力，使仇敌和报仇的闭口无言。Praise isn’t just poetic but powerful. 赞美不仅仅是诗意的，更是大有能力的。God commands us to praise Him, to lift up His name over fear, worry, anxiety, self-focus and every dark power. 神命令我们赞美祂，高举祂的名超越惧怕、忧虑、焦虑、自我关注和每个黑暗权势。And as we do, He’ll lift us above those things, filling us with joy, peace, strength, and victory. 我们这样做，祂就提升我们，使我们充满喜乐、平安、能力和得胜。We’ve gotta use our mouth to glorify Him daily. 我们当每天用口来荣耀他。

B, Break Agreement with Negative Speech and choose to agree with God’s Word. 打破认同负面言语，选择认同神的话。

Let’s be mindful of what we feed our hearts, not bad news, gossip, complaints, fear, or unbelieving talk. 我们当留心我们用什么喂养心，不当是坏消息、谣言、抱怨、惧怕或不信的话语。Someone says, “The economy is down…” 有人说，“经济在下滑……” Then you agree and start thinking, “oh, yes, what if I can’t afford it…” 然后你同意并开始思考，“哦，是的，如果我负担不起……” Don’t let the enemy steal your peace. 不要让敌人偷走你的平安。Instead, declare, “Lord, You are the King of kings. You said, ‘If I seek first Your Kingdom and Your righteousness, all these things will be added to me.’” 相反，宣告：“主啊，你是万王之王。你说，‘我若先求你的国和你的义，这一切都要加给我。’” When we start agreeing with God’s Word, speaking our identity in Christ, speaking truth and blessing over others, 当我们开始与神的话语一致，讲述我们在基督里的身份，讲真理，祝福人，and close the door to fear and negativity in our homes, workplaces, or schools, and begin to speak faith, hope, and love, 关闭我们家庭、工作场所或学校中的惧怕和负面情绪的大门，并开始讲述信心、希望和爱，you’ll see the atmosphere shift. 你会看到氛围发生变化。Would you like to practise right now? Let’s get practical. 你想现在就操练吗？来吧。

Sometimes our hearts want to praise the Lord, but our flesh doesn’t feel like it. 有时我们的心想要赞美主，肉体却不想。But if we want to tame the tongue, we need to bring our flesh under the truth. 但若我们想要制伏舌头，我们当将肉体置于真理之下。Today, we’re gonna practice honouring God with our tongues by focusing on Psa 103:1-5, 今天，让我们以诗篇103:1-5来操练尊荣神：Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 1我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华，凡在我里面的，也要称颂他的圣名！2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits. 2我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华，不可忘记他的一切恩惠。3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 3他赦免你的一切罪孽，医治你的一切疾病。4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, 4他救赎你的命脱离死亡，以仁爱和慈悲为你的冠冕。5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 5他用美物使你所愿的得以知足，以致你如鹰返老还童。

You can praise Him on your own, focusing on Psa 103, or you’re welcome to follow my guidance if you’d like: 你可以自己赞美他，专注于诗篇103，你若愿意，也可以跟着我：“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name. “我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华！凡在我里面的，也要称颂他的圣名。All that is within me—praise His holy name. 所有在我里面的——都要称颂他的圣名。Even when I don’t feel like it, I choose to praise You now. 即使我不愿意，我仍选择现在就赞美你。Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits. 我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华！不可忘记他的一切恩惠。Thank You, Lord, for what You’ve done—for me, for my family, for my children, for my business, for my church…谢谢你，主，为你所做的一切——为我，为我的家人，为我的孩子，为我的事业，为我的教会……You forgive all my sins and heal all my diseases. 你赦免我一切的罪孽，医治我一切的疾病。Praise You, Jesus, for shedding Your blood to forgive me. 赞美你，耶稣，你流血为赦免我。I receive Your love and salvation freely by grace, so I choose to accept myself and others just as we are. 我白白领受了你的爱和救恩，所以我选择接纳自己和他人的本相。Forgive me for the times I get angry with my spouse, my children, or others—especially when they don’t meet my expectations, or when I try to control things instead of trusting You. 赦免我，当配偶、孩子或他人不符合我期望，或当我试图控制事情而不是信靠你时，我就发怒了。

Today, I praise Your name with all my soul. I choose to pass that same grace on to them. 今天，我全心全意地赞美你的名。我选择将同样的恩典传递给他们。Freely I have received, freely I give, so that being crowned with grace and compassion, and receiving healing in my soul, may become a living reality in my life... 白白地得来，白白地给出去，叫我披戴恩典和慈悲的冠冕，让我的灵得着医治，让这应许成为现实。Praise the Lord, my soul! 我的心哪，你要称颂耶和华！We love You, Jesus, our Lord. 我们爱你，耶稣，我们的主。Thank You for the privilege of being Your temple of the Holy Spirit. 感谢你让我们成为圣灵的殿。Praise the Lord, my soul! 我的心哪，称颂耶和华！Thank You for the privilege of walking with You, of representing You, and of serving You. 感谢你让我们有幸与你同行，代表你，服侍你。Praise the Lord, my soul!...”  我的心哪，称颂耶和华！……”Let’s sing the last song – the Blessing...让我们来唱最后一首歌——祝福……

Now, would you like to find someone to speak a blessing over? 现在，你愿意找一个人去祝福他吗？We praise God our Creator with our mouths, and we also speak blessings over one another, for we are all made in God’s image…我们用口赞美我们的创造主，也用口彼此祝福，因我们都是按神的形像造的……

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your presence with us this afternoon. 主耶稣，感谢你今天下午与我们同在。Thank You for reminding us that we need Your Spirit of truth to continuously heal and transform our hearts as we learn to tame our tongues. 谢谢你提醒我们，我们需要你真理之灵不断医治和改变我们的心，学习制伏我们的舌头。Teach us to speak the truth in love and to listen with humility. 教导我们用爱心说诚实话，谦卑地聆听，May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing in Your sight and bring honour to Your name.愿我们口中的言语和心中的意念在你眼前蒙悦纳，并荣耀你的名。