James - Part 3 [Notes]

You’re invited to join us for to "James," a five-week series through the five chapters of James. This letter to early Christians is packed with practical truths to help us learn and live our faith every day. Whether it’s standing strong in trials and temptations, using our words to build others up, or serving and sharing with those in need, this series will help equip us for an everyday faith that grows our relationship with God and others.

Takeaway: We need God’s help to shape our speech

James 1: God has given us what we need to stand strong

James 2: Our faith in Christ should result in a growing love for people that’s reflected in how we treat them 

James 3: We need God’s help to shape our speech

It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
– James 3:8b (HCSB)

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us,  we also guide the whole animal. 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. So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body,  sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. We praise our  Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
– James 3:1–12 (HCSB) 

Not many should become teachers
– James 3:1a (HCSB)

Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says,  he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.
– James 3:1–2 (HCSB) 

So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.
–  James 3:5a (HCSB)

Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body,  sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
– James 3:5b–6 (HCSB)

“He (James) traces the inflaming nature of the tongue back to its source. It is ‘set on fire by hell’ is James’s way of saying that it comes from the devil.”
– Expositor’s Bible Commentary

Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
– JJames 3:7-8 (HCSB)

We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it.  Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way.
– James 3:9-10 (HCSB)

Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness  is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
– James 3:13–18 (HCSB)

James 3:1 – Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment,
James 3:13 – Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.

"Here is an original 'show and tell.' Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds. It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life."
– Dr. J. R. Blue, The Bible Knowledge Commentary

If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself.
– James 1:26 (HCSB)

But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil.
– James 3:14-16 (HCSB)

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness  is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
– James 3:17-18 (HCSB)

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 
– James 1:5 (HCSB)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23 (HCSB)

Psalm 19:14 (HCSB): May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 18:21 (HCSB): Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Ephesians 4:29 (HCSB): No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.

Let the People Sing // So Much // Worthy of It All // God I Look to You

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