SCRIPTURE; JAMES 3
MEMORY VERSES:
“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. The 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.” (James 3:5-6)
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” (James 3:16)
TAMING THE TONGUE (vs. 1-12)
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We 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.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so larges and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 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. Theo 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.;
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man 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 men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
TWO KINDS OF WISDOM (vs. 13-18)
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility and comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
THOUGHTS:
James warned that the responsibility of a teacher is great because their words and example will affect others’ spiritual life. And they will also be judged more strictly.
James wrote about the seriousness of our tongue. Just as a horse needs a rider holding the reins, and a ship needs a pilot at the rudder, our tongue also needs a master. And God is the only one who can manage our tongue. An uncontrollable tongue is like a forest being set on fire by a small spark. It is like a dangerous beast turned loose or a refreshing spring being poisoned. Once our words are spoken we cannot take them back.
Examples of untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, criticizing, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering and lying. So before you speak, ask these three questions: Is it necessary? Is it true” Is it kind?
Satan uses our tongue to divide people, to produce hatred, to destroy relationships and to cause destruction. The tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage that cannot be reversed. So, be careful before you speak because words uttered will have the scars remained that can never be erased. Ask the Holy Spirit for us to learn self-control and speak words that please God.
James described two kinds of wisdom. The wisdom of the world are bitterness, envy, greed, selfishness and evil practices. The wisdom from God are peace, love, considerate, submissive, merciful, bearing good fruits, impartial, sincere and righteous. Which would you choose to have?