Our Daily Scripture – 8/31/22

SCRIPTURE:  JAMES 3

BIBLE VERSES:

“Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 W Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1)

“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.”(James 3:5-6)

“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.” (James 3:7-8)

“ 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.” (James 3:9-12)

“ 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.” (James 3:13)

“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16)

“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.” (James 3:17-18)

TAMING THE TONGUE (VS. 1-12)

Teachers must be careful on what they teach because they will be judged more strictly.  James d\took emphasis on our tongue.  He described the tongue as a small part of the body but has a tremendous effect when misused.  He compared the tongue to a very small rudder steering a large ship in a strong wind.  It is also like a small spark of fire that can burn the whole forest.  “The tongue is a small part of the body but it makes great boasts.  It is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body that corrupts the whole person and lead him to hell” (v. 6)

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea can be tamed by man but no man can tame the tongue because it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (vs. 7-8).  We use to praise our Lord and Father with our tongue and we also use tongue to curse men made in God’s likeness.  Praising and cursing are spoken oudt of the same mouth (vs. 9-*10)/  James asked theses questions:  “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?  Can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs?  Can a salt spring produce fresh water? (vs. 11-12)

TWO KINDS OF WISDOM (vs. 13-18)

  1.  Earthly wisdom – there is bitterness, envy, selfish ambition and evil practice.
  2.  Heavenly wisdom – it is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submission, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

THOUGHTS:

James used 3 illustrations to portray the power of the tongue (By Warren Wiersbe)

  1.  Power to direct  – the bits and the rudder (vs. 3-4) – The bits is placed into the mouth of horse to direct the path.  The rudder is a part of the ship that stirs it through the water.  Our words can direct the listener into wrong paths.  Avoid saying idle word, questionable story, half-truth or lie that would lead to destruction.  Instead, let the Lord be our pilot to direct and control our tongue.
  2.  Power to destroy – the fire and animals (vs. 5-8) – Careless campus smokers can cause the destruction of thousands of acres of timber.  A little flame can set a whole forest on fire.  The tongue can set a family or church on fire through lies, gossips and heated words.  It is restless and spreads like a poison that no man can tame.
  3.  Power to delight – the fountain and tree (vs, 9-12) – A fountain cannot produce both fresh and salt water.  A fig tree cannot bear olive or a grapevine bear figs.  So it is impossible for us to bless God in praying and sings and curse men in our anger and impatience.  The wrong word at the wrong time can break a heart, destroy a person’s reputation and lead a person astray.  Christians must allow the Spirit to give the “living water” of the Word through their tongues.  Therefore, never allow Satan to use your tongue.

There are two sources of wisdom for us to discern.  Earthly wisdom is false, hypocritic, and insensitive.  It is the source of jealousy, division and confusion.  Heavenly wisdom is true, pure, peaceable, gentle, patient and merciful.  Be sure to choose the heavenly wisdom by adhering to the Word of God.

There is a golden rule in speech.  THINK before you speak.  Ask these questions: T – Is it true? H– Is it helpful? I – Is it inspiring? N – Is it necessary? K – Is it kind?  There is also a Chinese proverbs “一言而出、四馬難追”  meaning “Once a word is spoken out, even four horses are incapable of racing it back”  Therefore, we should be careful before we speak.

Examples of untamed tongue are:  gossipping. bragging, manipulating, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, lying, slandering and false teachings.  Consequences of uncontrolled tongue are:  division, destruction, disorder, discord, disunity, chaos and conflict.