Subduing the Untameable

James 3:1–12 NET

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly.For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well. And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence—and is set on fire by hell. For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind.But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.

As we continue our journey through James, chapter three begins with a take off from chapter one when we talked about preparation of the tongue. James 1:26(NET) If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile. Remember how we discussed how we must control our mouths? What comes out of the mouth is in our hearts. How often has your tongue gotten you into trouble? How many times have we blurted out something and wish we would have thought about it first?

Controlled vs 1-5

Judge to a different standard

Luke 12:48 NET

But the one who did not know his master’s will and did things worthy of punishment will receive a light beating. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.

We all stumble

2 Peter 1:10 NET

Therefore, brothers and sisters, make every effort to be sure of your calling and election. For by doing this you will never stumble into sin.

Controlled

The bit, the rudder, and the spark

Contained vs 6-8

The world

The tongue here is a representative of the world and we know that the world is wicked.

The Letter of James A. Control of the Tongue Manifests the Transformed Heart (3:1–12)

It corrupts the whole person,

sets the whole course of his life on fire,

and is itself set on fire by hell.

Every other creature is tamed

Genesis 1:26 NET

Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move on the earth.”

Tongue is poison

Psalm 140:3 NET

Their tongues wound like a serpent; a viper’s venom is behind their lips. (Selah)

Cleansed vs 9-12

Duality of the tongue

Blessings and cursings, life and death