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WELCOME: Elder Higgins Reflections Group Thursdays @ 7:30 pm
Icebreaker:
Reflections Church Service
July 17th, 2022
Pastor Straker
“TONGUES OF FIRE"
James 3:2 - 12
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body. 3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
Fire can be used to preserve, rejuvenate, or destroy
It only takes a spake to start a devastating fire
Where there is smoke there is usually fire
We have to watch our words. They can build up or tear down.
Proverbs 14:1; 21:19
1 Every wise woman builds her house, but a foolish one tears it down with her own hands.
19 Better to live in a wilderness than with a nagging and hot-tempered wife.
Ephesians 6:4
4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21; 4:6
21 Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they won’t become discouraged.
6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Proverbs 29:20
20 Do you see someone who speaks too soon? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
James 1:19-20
19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
The tongue can set the whole course of life on fire (3:6). It can destroy self-esteem, devastate relationships, ruin careers, and kill ministries. As sure as a tiny match can set a forest a blaze, the tongue can cause harm out of proportion to its size. If you want to change the course of you life, you need to ask God to help steer that little rudder called your tongue.
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
1 My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, 3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” 4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
Question: Why do you think teachers will be judged more harshly?
Teacher influence the thinking of others and have the power to lead them astray. God will hold them accountable not only for the words, but the influence they have as well.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.
James doesn’t say that it’s the one who has read widely, attained advanced degrees, and can wax eloquently about any subject that is wise and has understanding. Rather, the wise person shows that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. In other words, wise deeds are the proof of a wise individual.
James 3:14-16
14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
Bitter envy and selfish ambition may help people to rise on the world stage (3:14). But remember, mere human wisdom is an expression of Satan’s agenda (3:15). To convey heavenly wisdom , you must communicate with heaven.
James 3:17-18
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
Discord cannot produce conduct pleasing to God. This is the opposite of envy and ambition. True wisdom produces right relationships between people, which is the root idea behind the word “peace” when used in the NT. True wisdom is willing to listen, learn, and then yield when persuaded. True wisdom reaches out to the unfortunate in practical ways, it does not vacillate back and forth. It is the opposite of the wavering person in (James 1:6-8). True wisdom does not act or pretend. It is honest and genuine.
Closing Queries:
Where do you currently struggle with controlling your tongue?
Who can you connect with on a level to help you gain wisdom?
Prayer:
Announcements:
July assignment: Apply the How to Read the Bible series to the letters to Timothy
Thank all who joined us in fellowship lunch with Ian and his family after attending service this past Sunday. (We were joined by Pastor)
RG Outing (Tentative date Saturday August 20th, 2022)