James 3:1-2 (Part 8) The Importance of the Tongue

The Importance of the Tongue, 3:1-2

Commands concerning the tongue in James

• James 1:9—slow to speak relative to hearing

• James 1:26—no reality if you can’t control the tongue

• James 2:12—in relation to accountability

• James 3—a full-blown account in 12 verses

• James 4:11—speech in relation to other people

• James 5:12—speech in relation to truth

The tongue reveals who we are

• If a man does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, 3:2.

• Revelation of maturity

• Reveals our level of self-control

James 3:1-12

• The importance of the tongue, 3:1-2

o The number of teachers, v. 1a

o The accountability of teachers, v. 1b

 Due to the nature of the work

 The instrument used for teaching (tongue)

• The power of the tongue, 3:3-6

• The insubordination of the tongue, 3:7-8

• The inconsistency of the tongue, 3:9-12

Unfit teachers

• The sincere but ungifted

• The insincere but talented

*As far as the Word of God is concerned, we stumble with our tongues and stumble is synonymous with sin.