"With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility" Part 1 (James 3:1-8)

Scripture Reading:

Introduction: What is our superpower?

What does James say is our superpower?

Transition: Tongue - Speech/Words

In Context:

This relates to the reoccurring theme of treatment of others (James 2:8).

This expands on a previous principle/proverb (James 1:26).

In this text James is addressing...

Tongue - picture of our speech

Speech Control (vv. 1-8) - Part 1

Speech Content (vv. 9-12) - Part 2

Speech Control (vv. 1-8)

Consideration (vv. 1-2)

Illustrations (vv. 3-8)

Consideration (vv. 1-2)

For 2 categories:

For Teachers (v. 1)

For Everyone (v. 2)

For Teachers (v. 1)

This most likely refers to the role of the teacher in the church (Ephesians 4:11).

Ephesians 4:11 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

Though we need teachers, it’s not for everyone. The role could be attractive because it is an honorable role, and who doesn’t like to be honored. But James warns those who may be so included to reconsider.

Why? Because, more literally, teachers will receive a greater (the meaning of “stricter”) judgment.

Why? Why is there greater judgment for teachers? Are they more important? No. Are they held to a higher standard? No. Are teachers supposed to be better Christians? No. Then why? Because teachers add an additional category of accountability. And not just any category, but one of primary importance to God for the church. So teachers have chosen an additional, significant stewardship, and for that they are accountable (Luke 12:48).

Luke 12:48 (ESV)

...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.

For Everyone (v. 2)

This is related because more talking, like teaching, means more potential for sinning (James 1:19).

James 1:19 (ESV)

...let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

It seems that what James is saying here is that our speech is the most difficult thing to control of all the things that we should control.

We all sin in many different ways (stumble - sin).

Anyone who can refrain from sinning in their speech can refrain from sinning in any other way.

However, though it is difficult, we must. Why? Because of the power/potential of our speech.

Illustrations (vv. 3-8)

James gives some illustrations for the power/potential of our speech.

Bit (v. 3)

For controlling a horse, which is a very powerful animal.

It may not seem like it, but our speech is a controlling influence in our life.

Rudder (vv. 4-5)

You don’t even see the rudder normally but is makes a huge difference.

So here are 2 small things that make a big difference.

Verse 5a is a deduction from the first 2 illustrations.

Our tongue (speech) may seem like a small matter, but just the opposite is true.

Don’t underestimate the power/potential of your words - positively and negatively.

Proverbs 12:18 ESV

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Fire (vv. 5-6)

All fires of any size begin with a small flame or spark, but fire can quickly become very destructive.

This illustrates the unrighteous influence/impact our speech/words can have.

In fact, our speech/words can determine the impact or influence we will have as a whole.

You might want to consider if your speech/words support the side of heaven/God or the side of hell/Satan.

So, speech can have a directional influence and/or a damaging influence.

Proverbs 16:27 ESV

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Animals (vv. 7-8)

So here’s the additional problem, our speech/words are impossible to fully and perfectly control.

James draws a contrast between the human race having success in controlling/subduing/taming the animal kingdom, but not having success in controlling/subduing/taming their own speech or words.

The other illustrations were comparisons, this is a contrast.

Verse 7 is a generality. That is, in general humans have been able to control animals.

The word “kind” is used for the different categories of animals, but it is also use in the words translated “mankind.”

The word could more literally be translated “nature.”

James 3:7 NASB95

For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

So the nature of animals categorized here has been controlled by the nature of humans.

Kind (φύσις). Wrong. James is not speaking of the relation between individual men and individual beasts, but of the relation between the nature of man and that of beasts, which may be different in different beasts. Hence, as Rev., in margin, nature.1

1 Vincent, M. R. (1887). Word studies in the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 749). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons.

This is in tune with the fact that God have dominion to mankind, and we’ve been able to generally exercise that dominion.

Verse 8a is a generality. That is, in general, humans have not been able to control their speech/words. It is humanly possible to control animals, but it is not humanly possible to control our speech/words (for righteousness).

Then how has it been done, or how can it be done. Because he is calling us to something else.

Notice that he does not say that our speech/words are uncontrollable, but that they are uncontrollable by human nature. What is impossible for men is possible for God.

Verse 8b is a concluding remark for his premise up to this point, giving us in a statement a sobering reminder of what we possess - a deadly substance (restless - unstable) - the ability to speak.

We need to be very careful with it.

And we need God’s help to be careful with it.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Needing God

Depending on God

Words and heart are connected

Luke 6:45 ESV

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

This is where we need God’s change.

That’s what James is trying to change - they’re heart about they’re speech/words.

Application: Be mindful about the power of your words.

Be mindful of the power of your speech/words.

James wants us to see that we have something very powerful at our disposal - our speech/words.

James wants us to be very careful to use our speech/words for righteousness and not for unrighteousness.

Benediction: 1 Tim. 1:15-17

1 Timothy 1:15–17 ESV

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.