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James 3:1-6 The Power of The Tongue
James 3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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.3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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.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. 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.7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.13
Discussion
James states a clear admonition, bringing to our attention the responsibility of those who would aspire to teach. It is an honorable duty and a particularly critical one. Teachers influence the character of nations. Teachers are more carefully scrutinized by their fellow man and more acutely judged by God, our creator. All of this prompting James to write that not many should become teachers. Furthermore, Jesus taught that people are responsible for what they know (Luke. 12:47–48).
Then James goes on to describe the complex influences we create with our tongue. The power of the tongue is such that world leaders are made or broken by words of the tongue, or entire nations turn one way or the other from influence of the tongue. Great men are brought low by words from the tongue. Then James goes on to describe the influence of the tongue by comparing familiar scenarios of how a horse is turned by a simple bit in it's mouth, or how a ship is turned by such a small rudder, or a forest is struck with a great fire from a small spark. Implying that the tongue although a very small part of the body, can cause such disasters of evil consequence simply with words. We can draw from these verses that James knows something of human nature, and how one can influence a person's life for good or for evil. James was a mature man of God and was known for his prayer life. And as the leader of the church in Jerusalem, he was probably familiar with both the good and the bad influences of the tongue, (Proverbs 15:28) which could have prompted his writing verse 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.
Questions
1. What are your feelings about James' warning to those who feel called to teach ?
2. James writes about the evils of the tongue. In what way is this related to the first verse?
3. James writes about negative issues of the tongue, But what do we feel about the positives?
4. Describe what James means when comparing the tongue with a bit in a horses mouth?
As a rudder on a ship? As a spark which sets a forest afire? Can you think of others comparisons?
5. What current real life issues can you point out that the tongue is doing right now?
6. Why is it that James saya it is difficult to tame the tongue.
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James 3:13-18 Wisdom and Righteousness?
James 3: 13- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Discussion
James begins this discussion by showing that the truly wise person is characterized by a way of life that is good according to the teaching of Jesus. That person will also show the humility that comes from wisdom. A better translation here would be ‘meekness’. One of the problems in the churches of that day, was that teachers were attacking one another and being aggressive and defensive. Meekness is the opposite of this aggression. 1 Peter 3:4
James outlines the steps of repentance that are necessary for us to gain heavenly wisdom, as opposed to worldly wisdom or foolishness. Humility is required for us to come to God for repentance, but the Spirit causes it to grow profusely as we mature in our Christian walk. We must open our hearts in prayer to God and ask for wisdom each day, for it is His Promise that He will give us wisdom if we seek His ways. We are then given the power to present ourselves as humble, and hence loving, to all those around us. The two traits mentioned the most are humility and pride, and how they battle for our souls. Humility leads to love and pride leads to hate, so we can see how these traits sum up the struggle between God and Satan. Spiritually wise people not only speak wise, but they live it. It shows in how they treat their fellowman.Friendship with the world is considered spiritual adultery in the eyes of God. We must keep our eyes on our Savior, in order to remain wise in the Lord.
The only true protection against this false wisdom and the evil in the tongue is God’s wisdom. James writes that such a person is pure, which means that the person is sincere in obeying God, not having any twisted motives in their desire for holiness. They are peace-loving meaning that it produces peace in the church. They are considerate or ‘gentle’ which means that it is non-combative. They are submissive, which speaks of a person who is willing and will gladly respond to godly leadership. They are full of mercy and good fruit, which produces good works. God, is always merciful and giving, so those filled with his wisdom will be that way as well. Finally, such a person is impartial and sincere, which means that the person has a heart which is set solely on following God, unlike the double-minded person. (Ephesians 4:29) We understand through our own experiences that worldly wisdom is conniving, bitter, self-seeking, flattering, lying and boasting. James said that wisdom from the earth is demonic and produces confusion. The term sincere means that there is no falseness or hidden agenda in the person’s words or actions. As the person is to one’s face, so they are when one’s back is turned.” Such a person would have a calming effect which would be contagious, they would represent a peace and serenity which would lead others to follow. Such a person was Jesus.
Questions
1. What would you say is the difference between worldly and Heavenly wisdom?
2. What does Heavenly wisdom have that worldly wisdom is lacking?
3. How does one cope with the worlds ways and not be consumed by them?
4. What are some examples we might use to show that all worldly Wisdom is not evil?
5. What does this lesson tell us about how to best go about our daily lives?
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Opening Prayer, Father God lead us now in this study of Your word as we seek Your wisdom in how we are to manage the use of our tongues so that it may be pleasing to You. Give us wisdom
in the way we apply our words. Help us to be more humble in our need to promote self, and give us spiritual wisdom as we interact with others in our day to day life situations. Teach us to recognize the needs of others and lead us in the ways and words we use that we may become good examples as disciples of Christ, so that we might cause you great joy as we share Your love with others as we have experienced it in Jesus Christ. AMEN
Scripture Readings
Luke 12:47 "The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked”.
Proverbs 15:28 - The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things
1 Peter 3:4 - But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Closing Prayer,
Father God, be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress. ____________Give those mentioned here tonight the healing strength and comfort to endure, heal their infirmities and give them peace. continue to watch over each of us as we strive to live a just and righteous life.. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN
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James Chapter 3 Meditations On The Tongue
James begins Chapter 3 with a caution against those who want to be teachers of the Word. In the first twelve verses of James Chapter 3, the writer cautions against becoming teachers, saying that they will receive a stricter punishment unless they are mature and possess self-control virtues. James writes that there were those who sought to become teachers in order to look wise. But as regards the judgment that awaits them, they should approach the position of teacher with caution and consideration for the responsibility the position holds.
He then begins his warnings about the tongue and the harm it wields when used irreligiously, and gives us some illustrations to demonstrate the power and the danger of the tongue. It is so important to note, these comparisons are vivid and easily understood. Such comparisons can be easily drawn if we just look at our present political process going on today. The tongue can cause immeasurable harm and devastation.
James writes that the power of the tongue is like a bit that controls the horse . If we consider what this bit does, we can understand it a little better. A horse is turned by a simple bit in it's mouth, such a simple act of controlling a horse. but consider the lack of the bit and the reins. If left to it's own, a horse is a dangerous animal, uncontrolled it could cause great harm to life and property, thus if we are to have a horse it must be controlled. Bridle your tongue.
Then he mentions how a ship is turned by such a small rudder, and we must also consider this. Left without a rudder such a ship will flounder and left adrift will be destroyed and sink, taking all cargo and all who are passengers and crew on that ship to their death, thus a ship must have a controlling rudder. Guide your tongue's path or suffer the consequences
Then James reminds us that a forest that is struck with a small spark can bring a devestating fire which can destroy the whole forest. When we consider the experiences we know about fire, we understand that fire can cause death and destruction to such an extent as to destroy whole forests taking life and property with it. Be careful with your tongue.
James also writes about the difficulty in taming one’s tongue saying that there is nobody who can control their tongue all the time. It is an unruly evil that full of poison that can be used for both blessings and curses, used against you as well as supporting you. We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. Hell has more to do in promoting the fire of the tongue than we can imagine. Satan prowls about like a roaring lion looking for souls to devour. The sinful tongue is an open invitation from the soul, an invitation for Satan to enter therein.
James concludes Chapter 3 with a brief discussion about Godly wisdom. We must open our hearts in prayer to God and ask for wisdom each day, for it is His Promise that He will give us wisdom if we seek His ways. We understand through our own experiences that worldly wisdom is conniving, bitter, self-seeking, flattering, lying and boasting. James said that wisdom from the earth is demonic and produces confusion. Heavenly wisdom, however, we will notice is like an exquisite string of qualities-like a thread of pearls-that characterize true wisdom: First, pure; then peaceable-this is God’s order, never peace at any price. First the holy heart, then the quiet and gentle one. Mercy and good works follow, “free from favoritism and insincerity”; and as the peace-loving soul goes through the world, dropping the seeds of peace, those seeds produce harvests of righteousness. Those that in peace sow peace, shall reap a harvest of righteousness, the fruit of peace. Such is the wisdom from God given to those to whom Jesus Christ has named in the book of life who follow after Him…………. Amen
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