BOOK OF JAMES (3)
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THEMES
THEMES
Taming the Tongue
Taming the Tongue
Wisdom from Above
Wisdom from Above
James 3:1-3
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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.
1. Question - What warning does James give to those who seek to be teachers?
1. Question - What warning does James give to those who seek to be teachers?
But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Control of the Tongue Manifests the Transformed Heart (3:1–12)
Paul ranked the gift of teaching very high on the list of gifts the Spirit bestows on the church
Paul ranked the gift of teaching high on the list of gifts the Spirit bestows on the church
And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
1 cor
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
Paul considered his teaching with the utmost of importance
Acts 20:26-
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
2. Question - How does James, in this instance, define a “perfect” man?
2. Question - How does James, in this instance, define a “perfect” man?
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.
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
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!
jm 3:
james
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James A. Control of the Tongue Manifests the Transformed Heart (3:1–12)
Probably, then, it is not so much “control” that James intends to illustrate but “direction”: as the bit determines the direction of the horse, so the tongue can determine the destiny of the individual. Believers who exercise careful control of the tongue are able also to direct their whole life in its proper, divinely charted course: they are “perfect” (v. 2). But when that tongue is not restrained, small though it is, the rest of the body is likely to be uncontrolled and undisciplined also
Food for Thought - It is not so much “control” that James intends to illustrate but “direction”: as the bit determines the direction of the horse, so the tongue can determine the destiny of the individual. Believers who exercise careful control of the tongue are able also to direct their whole life in its proper, divinely charted course: they are “perfect” (v. 2). But when that tongue is not restrained, small though it is, the rest of the body is likely to be uncontrolled and undisciplined also.
3. Question - What can occur with a single match in a large forest?
3. Question - What can occur with a single match in a large forest?
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. 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.
4. Question - What is the destructive power of the tongue?
4. Question - What is the destructive power of the tongue?
World of unrighteousness.
World of unrighteousness.
Stains the whole body.
Stains the whole body.
Full of deadly poison.
Full of deadly poison.
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?
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
5. Question - What is the hypocritical duality of the tongue being illustrated here?
5. Question - What is the hypocritical duality of the tongue being illustrated here?
it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Matt 15:17-20
Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”
WISDOM FROM ABOVE
WISDOM FROM ABOVE
jAMES 3:13-
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 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. 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.