James Answers - Chapter 3

JAMES 3     What does James want all teachers of God's Word to realize? vs. 1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment (greater condemnation). Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards.  [MSG] How do we all stumble? vs. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If we could 'not' stumble, we could be a perfect person, able to bridle the whole body. (vs.2) .... How are horses directed? vs. 3 ..... How is a large ship directed? vs. 4 ..... How does this compare to the tongue? vs. 5 Horses are directed by a bit.  A large ship is directed by a very small rudder.  The tongue is a small part of the body. The tongue set on fire defiles the entire body. Who is behind the destruction of our tongues? vs. 6 The tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.  [MSG] Although every species of beasts and birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea has been tamed by the human race, what can not be tamed and why not? vs. 7,8 No one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. What do we do with our tongues? vs.9-10 ... With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. This should not be. James says that bitter and sweet water doesn't come out of the same opening. (vs.11,12) ...What else does he compare it to? A fig tree doesn't produce olives nor a vine produce figs.  Nor can salt water produce fresh water. How does a person show that they are wise and understanding? vs. 13 - Name 2 things By his good behavior By his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom If a person has bitter jealousy and selfish ambition, they should confess it and not lie against the truth. (vs.14) What does James 5:16 tell us will happen if we are honest about our shortcomings and have others pray for us? Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed. The prayer of a person living right with God is something powerful to be reckoned with.  [MSG] If we have jealousy and selfishness, we need to realize the wisdom is not from above. Where is it from? vs.15 - Name 3 things It is earthly It is natural It is demonic What takes place when jealousy and selfishness is allowed to continue? vs. 16 ... Have you seen this firsthand? For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. If we have wisdom from above, there is a proper way that things are handled. Name the characteristics of the wisdom that comes from above. (vs.17) - Name 7 things that describe godly wisdom. ... Have you seen this work out in a person wise and understanding before? But the wisdom from above is: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. When we plant the seed of this kind of wisdom, what will the fruit be? vs. 18 Righteousness. If we sow this kind of seed, what are we making among others? vs. 18 Peace. What did Jesus say about "peacemakers"? See Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. As you think through this lesson, how are you using your tongue? Do you consistently bless God and people as well? Does bitter and sweet water sometimes come out of the same fountain of your mouth? What do you need to do about that? Let's all confess our sins and work harder at using our mouth to build up others and sow the seed of gentle wisdom from above. Amen. Summarize your thoughts for today and post a prayer if you like. GET THE FACTS: OBSERVATION: What does the text say? * Teachers are held to the strictest standards. * We all stumble in many ways. * The tongue is a small part of the body, * Yet it boasts of great things. * You can tame a tiger but not the tongue. * Our tongue blesses our Lord and Father, * and curse those made in His image. * Show wisdom through good behaviour * and works done in humility. * Jealousy and selfish ambition = disorder. * Treat one another with dignity and honour. POINTS TO PONDER: INTERPRETATION: What does the text mean? The Christians that James wrote to were apparently having serious problems with their tongues. James had warned them to be “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19). The believer who does not bridle his tongue is not truly religious (James 1:26). We must speak and act as though we were already facing Christ in judgment (James 2:12).  The tongue is like a bit and a rudder: it has the power to direct. How important it is that our tongues direct people in the right way! Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 3). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books. PERSONAL INSIGHTS: APPLICATION: How can I apply this to my life? The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us. With the tongue, man can praise God, pray, preach the Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege! But with that same tongue he can tell lies that could ruin a man’s reputation or break a person’s heart. The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks; and yet we take this ability for granted. When Jesus Christ controls the tongue, then we need not fear saying the wrong things—or even saying the right things in a wrong way! “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,” warned Solomon (Prov. 18:21). No wonder David prayed, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. Incline not my heart to any evil thing” (Ps. 141:3–4). David knew that the heart is the key to right speech. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” (Matt. 12:34). When Jesus Christ is the Lord of the heart, then He is Lord of the lips too.    Wiersbe, W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt. (Jas 3). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

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