James 3
Notes
Transcript
Works and the Tongue
Works and the Tongue
James jumps from faith and works to the danger of the tongue
In between he warns against wanting to be teachers (pastors)
May seem disconnected on the surface, but these passages are related
James is teaching how to strengthen faith while also identifying true faith
Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say
Be Careful Little Mouth What You Say
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James warns against a church of know-it-alls
If you position yourself as a teacher of the word, be ready for the consequences
This leads to a wider discussion about the importance of our speech
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
remember the process described here
the tongue is the point where many sins give birth
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
all men sin
one of the most common ways we sin is from our speech one to another
The fastest way to self control is through our tongue
If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.
How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
The tongue steers and directs our lives
Though small, there is great power and potential within our words
And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
James then explains the danger of the tongue
the tongue destroys lives
For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
We often speak in fear of man’s accomplishments
We can’t even control one of the smallest parts of our bodies
With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
We come into this building and praise God
We leave this building and destroy lives
All with the same instrument
It is not right!
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
We can determine maturity through what is said
We Choose Division or Peace
We Choose Division or Peace
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
speech and conduct are closely related
we easily identify pride or meekness through what is said
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
You have the responsibility to identify these sins in your own heart
Ignoring these sins:
sides with the world
ignores your salvation
sides with demons
and it destroys the church!
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
But if we deal with our hearts, control our response, and practice peace, we will sow the Gospel of peace and truth
We Have An Opportunity to Experience Real Change
We Have An Opportunity to Experience Real Change
You have just recieved advice from the Holy Spirit how to change the direction of your life
You have also recieved advice from the Holy Spirit on how damaging you are or can be
And you recieved advice about how to better the body of Christ