Maturity Under Fire

Scripture

James 3:1–18 NASB 2020

Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Maturity cautioned vs 1-2

Avoid too many teachers

Stricter Judgement

We all stumble

We must be able to demonstrate Biblical integrity by:

What we say

Modeled by what we do

Consider how people utlize online platforms for advice, affirmations, likes and views and still have the void of emptiness and wanting deliverance from their problems. One can also pursue the messages that align with their emotional desires and suffer in silence. The overwhelming amount of people on Facebook, Youtube, Twitch and other mediums have become a sounding board for audiences enslaving themselves to please audiences and becoming oracles of choas but appearing sound.

1 Timothy 4:1–2 “But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron,”

2 Timothy 3:5 “holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these.”

Might of the tongue vs 3-6

Small but mighty

Control animals (Bits)

Boats (Rudder)

Body (Tongue ..Struggles)

Serious destructive power

Set things ablaze

defiles the entire body

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

That’s why the importance of our personalities must be in check with the Holy Spirit.

“What’s a Joke to you is a death to someone else”

“Sarcasm is envy in disguise”

Proverbs 15:4 “A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.”

Mismanagement of our tongue vs 7-12

We can control animals of every kind

We cannot find any man to control our tongues

We Bless God and curse men from the same mouth

The fruit of our lips should not contradict our new nature

“My pray is that God covers and protect all of us from lying tongues and the toxins that it produces”

Psalm 64:2 “Hide me from the secret discussion of evildoers, From the restlessness of the workers of injustice,”

Psalm 64:3 “Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aimed bitter speech as their arrows,”

Psalm 64:8 “So they will make him stumble; Their own tongue is against them; All who see them will shake their heads.”

Managed Tongue vs 13-18

Prove your maturity

Living an Honorable life

Doing good works with humility that comes with wisdom

You have to learn how to apply wisdom through intentional learning and obedience to God’s word

Prevent ungodly behavior

Be aware of your Bitter Jealousy

Be aware of your Selfish Ambition

Don’t cover up your spiritual flaws with boasting

It is the destination of disorder and evil of every kind (Vs 16)

This wisdom is from above and reflects God

Its Pure

Peace loving

Gentle at ALL TIMES

Willing to yield to others

Full of mercy

Full of good deeds

It shows no favoritism and always sincere

Peacemakes plant peace and reap a harvest of righteousness