James 3:1-12 Study

Can you tell us about something someone said to you—anytime in your life—that was truly helpful?

What words provided help when you needed it? What was so helpful about it? Why do you think the person said it? READ Read James 3:1–12. DISCUSS Why do you think James wrote this part of the passage? What problem was occurring that he was trying to correct? Who is being “called out” by James in verse 1? Why do you think teachers will be judged with greater strictness? This is a warning that each of us should take to heart—whether we’re in a teaching position or not. What do you think verse 2 has to do with verse 1? Is it explaining the behavior of errant teachers, excusing them, or just generally instructing us? PEEK AT THE GREEK Don’t get thrown off by the word perfect. It can also be translated “mature” or “complete.” It’s the same word used in James 1:4 for the person who develops patience through trials. So James is not saying that people who control their tongues are sinless. In fact, he has just said that we all stumble in many ways. It’s just that the one who avoids stumbling in speech is apparently a mature believer. And then how does mastery of one’s speech keep the whole body in check? The most basic meaning of body is our physical existence. If we read it this way, James is saying that those who control their speech are also able to control their physical actions. But body is used elsewhere in the New Testament for the church, “the body of Christ.” If this verse is still talking about teachers, then it might mean that those who master their speech are able to control (keep in check, literally “bridle”) the church. Look now at James chapter 3 verses 3–6.

How is the tongue like a bit in a horse’s mouth? How is it like the rudder of a ship? How is it like a fire? Do you think these comparisons make more sense regarding individual behavior or regarding leadership of a church? Or perhaps both? Do you think it’s really impossible to “tame the tongue,” as it says in verse 8? How would a person do this? If you tried to tame your speaking habits, how would you go about it?

Go to Verses 9-12

How would you describe the situation in verses 9–12? Who is James talking about? What can we guess about these people? Verse 9 fits with the inferences James has been making all along. He’s talking to people who hear the Word of God but don’t obey it. They want to be religious, and they say nice things to beggars, but they don’t actually help people in need. What’s more, they can’t stop saying nasty things about other people. They seem slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry. The opening verses of chapter 3 might suggest that some of these people are leading churches. So they’re leading the songs of praise to God, but then they bad-mouth other people. James says it clearly: This ought not to be so. LIVE IT OUT How could you help or harm people by what you say this week? Turn on the TV or the radio or the Internet, and chances are, you’ll hear someone talking. And it’s even likely that you’ll hear someone criticizing other people. It’s easy for us to get swept into that. After all, we say, those other people are wrong! They’re stupid! They’re evil! They deserve our criticism! But God still loves those people, doesn’t He? How can we praise God one minute and in the next minute tear down people God loves? This should not be. Read Matt 15:11 & Matt 15:18

What do you think Jesus is saying about someone who only has negative things to say about people or about themselves in a way that is harmful? LIVE IT OUT Memorization: Learn James 3:9–10. This isn’t your normal type of memory verse, but it might prove helpful in real-life situations. Stop-Phrase: When you find yourself speaking badly about someone, stop—in mid-sentence if you need to. Find a phrase to run through your mind in those cases. Maybe it’s James 3:9–10. Maybe it’s just “This should not be.” Or maybe it’s a more positive statement like “Bless the Lord, O my soul” or the prayer from Psalm 19:14. Encouragement: Think of three people you can encourage this week, and do so. Be as specific as possible. Can you bolster their confidence or their faith? Thanks: Who has encouraged you in the past? Who has spoken words into your life that truly helped you? Can you find them and thank them for that? Media Fast: Many of us learn unkind habits of communication from talk radio, cable news, or online videos. If this is a problem for you, engage in a “fast,” abstaining from those media sources for a period of time—perhaps the next seven days. Then re-evaluate.

Other Passages to Read about the power of words

Matt 12:33-37 Prov 18:21 Eph 4:29 Prov 12:18 Prov 15:1 Prov 16:24 Prov 21:23 Prov 15:4 Prov 13:3 Col 4:6 Prov 29:20