Bringing Your Whole Body Under Subjection

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Sailing The Ship

The epistle that we are reading from is believed to have been written in the context of the church in Jerusalem.
i. James, is believed to be the brother of our Lord Jesus. He was a foremost leader in the ancient christian church.
ii. Written in a Jewish context, the epistle does not beat around the bush, but is very matter of fact.
iii. It is very clear and instructional about what is right and what is wrong .
iv. It speaks from an authoritative standpoint aiming to give clear instructions in walking in the perfect will of God.
v. These verses are not written from a human perspective but with an understanding of godliness with a heavenly perspective.
Now what does it say:
James 3:1–12

Restraining the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you* know that we will receive a greater judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to hold in check his whole body also. 3 And if we put bits in the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. 4 Behold also ships: although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wishes. 5 So also the tongue is a small member of the body* and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness, the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire ⌊the course of human existence⌋, being set on fire by hell.

7 For every species of animals and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is being tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no human being is able to tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the* Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so! 11 A spring does not pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water, does it?* 12 A fig tree is not able, my brothers, to produce olives, or a grapevine figs. Neither can a saltwater spring produce fresh water.

ii. James 1:27
James 1:27 LEB
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
iv. We are called not to come under the power of sin, but our scripture tells us that the hardest part of the human personality for us to tame and bring under control is our tongues.
v. It is interesting that the epistle uses the analogy of a bridle steering the whole body of a horse in a particular direction and the rudder of a ship directing the course that it takes because self control and being perfected can be ruined by the failure to get our tongues under control.
vi I found it interesting to watch my class this week and there are boys that just shout out the first thing that comes to their mind.
vii. One particular boy just lets it all hang out. How ever he feels is what comes out and in my mind I’ve been thinking about how often we just blurt things out because it is how we feel.
viii. and this often is the issue, we attach a lot of value to being able to say what we feel. We feel justified by the fact that this is how we were feeling.
ix. We just blurt things out and it is difficult because it is often attached to how we feel.
x. Often people blurt things out because it is a survival mechanism. You want to put the heat on someone else and you don’t care as long as people aern’t laughing at you or as long as it is the other person that is being picked on and not you
xi sometimes we blurt things out because we feel stressed or under or out of control and it is and it is an attempt to try to wrestle back control.
xii Sometimes it is just down to pride, self will and stubbornness .
xiii Sometimes we just simply haven’t been taught where the boundaries are and how what we say can affect the outcome of our lives and also impact other peoples lives.
xiv. It is interesting how the scripture speaks of the tongue as being: V5 So also the tongue is a small member of the body* and boasts great things. Behold how small a fire sets ablaze how great a forest!
xv. Unfortunately, we have recently seen pictures of the great devastation brought about by the wild fires in California.
xvi. Nobody knows how this forest fire began, but it probably started as something small that grew into something so large and devastating.
xvii An uncontrolled tongue can cause devastating harm. Gossip and runour mongering can set people against each other and bring about horrible outcomes. It can become violent and out of control.

2. Taming the Untameable: The Power of Self-Control Over Our Words

Bible Passage: James 3:1-12

Summary: In James 3:1-12, the Apostle James emphasizes the significance of controlling the tongue. He illustrates how a small spark can ignite a great fire and how the tongue, despite being a small part of the body, can lead to both great good and great harm.
Application: This sermon encourages listeners to reflect on their words and to practice self-control in their speech. It shows how mastering our speech can heal relationships, lead to constructive conversations, and demonstrate the love of Christ in our daily interactions.
Teaching: The teaching highlights that words can either build up or tear down, and the importance of seeking God’s help to restrain our tongues. It equips the congregation with practical strategies for speaking wisely and lovingly, especially in challenging situations.
How this passage could point to Christ: This passage points to Christ as the ultimate example of self-control in speech. His words were always spoken with purpose and love, leading ultimately to reconciliation with God through His sacrifice. As believers, we are called to emulate Christ's example in how we communicate.
Big Idea: Harnessing the power of our words through self-control leads to life-giving conversations and reflects the character of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
Recommended Study: As you prepare this sermon, consider exploring the historical context of James' letter and its original audience. Check Logos for commentaries that discuss the nature of speech in biblical times and the cultural significance of the tongue. You might also look into word studies on 'tongue' and 'speech' to understand their implications in scripture more deeply.

1. Mastering Miniature Might

James 3:1-4
You could illustrate how James highlights the disproportionate influence of the tongue compared to other parts of the body. By using examples like the bit in a horse’s mouth or a ship's rudder, this point suggests the necessity of self-control over our words. In applying this, the congregation may reflect on small yet impactful changes in their speech that could steer the direction of their relationships and interactions.

2. Guarding Against Great Fires

James 3:5-8
Perhaps emphasize the destructive power of the tongue as James likens it to a fire capable of setting a forest ablaze. This comparison provides a vivid reminder of how unchecked words can cause significant harm. It encourages listeners to seek God’s wisdom in choosing words that bless rather than curse, paralleling Christ’s example of using speech for healing and reconciliation.

3. Choosing Consistent Communication

James 3:9-12
Maybe focus on the inconsistency where the tongue can both praise God and curse others made in His image. Such a duality implores listeners to strive for integrity in their speech, promoting life-giving conversations that align with Christ’s character. Encourage the congregation to seek divine guidance in ensuring that their words reflect the loving, redemptive power of Christ.
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