James Chapter 3 Verses 1-12

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1 James Chapter 3 Verses 1-12 NKJV Notes by Pastor Mike Sasso Introduction James has already taught us some very important truths about being a mature Christian. In chapter one we learn that a mature Christian is patient in trials and has the right attitude to face life's problems. In chapter two we learn that a mature Christian doesn't just talk the talk, but walks the walk. He is a "Doer of the Word"! Now in chapter three we learn another important characteristic of a mature Christian. He has power over his tongue. STUDY NOTES: verses 1-4 v. 1 Let Not Many of You Become Teachers In Jewish culture being a teacher was a very respected position. So many would naturally desire that position of respect. But James warns us that only a few should seek the position for the following reasons. Stricter Judgment In Luke 12:48b Jesus says, "For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more. The person who carries the task of instructing God s sheep will be held responsible for the way he leads the flock. God will judge him more strictly. 'For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned'" (Matt. 12:37, NKJV). But people will also judge him more strictly. v. 2 Stumble Simply means to make a mistake. The KJV uses the word "offend." James is focusing in on our mistakes that offend others. Stumble in Word - There is no way we offend others more than in our speech. The quickest way to find a man s weaknesses is by listening to him talk for a while. Perfect Man The Greek word for perfect here can also mean "full grown" or "mature." One of the clearest marks of maturity in a Christian is seen in the way he controls his tongue. This is two sided. Controlling the tongue can mean saying the right thing at the right time as well as not speaking at all when you are tempted to say the wrong thing. This is an ability very few people posses. Able Also to Bridle the Whole Body A bridle is the set of straps placed over the head of a horse used to steer him. Thus, to "bridle" means to steer or keep under control. James makes the point that since the tongue is by far the most difficult part of the body to "steer" and keep under control, if you can control your tongue you can control any part of the whole. One of most underestimated little objects in the world is the tongue! "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit" (Prov. 18:21, NKJV).

2 In the next 10 verses, James uses SIX ANALOGIES to help us see THE POWER OF THE TONGUE (Analogies modified from Warren Wiersbe s "BE SERIES") The FIRST TWO illustrate the DIRECTIVE POWER of the TONGUE v. 3-4 Bits and Rudders - Steering devices. They can change the direction of things. v. 3 Bits Because of a bit placed in a horse s mouth, a small child can steer a 600-pound horse. Just as something as small as a bit can change the direction of horse, so also the words of our mouth can change the direction of a person s life. v. 4 Rudders Because of the rudder on the underside of a ship, one person can steer a shipload of people. Think about how many times have you changed your mind about someone or something because you have been given certain information via word of mouth. 1. Can you think of some examples of how one person s words can change the direction of another person s life? In a positive way In a negative way (Don t use personal examples that can be considered gossip.) 2. We put bits in horses' mouths to steer the horse. We put rudders on ships to steer the ship. What can we do to control our own tongues? See Matthew 15:18, Proverbs 4:23, and Ephesians 3:17 for help. The next two analogies show us the DESTRUCTIVE POWER of the TONGUE. STUDY NOTES: verses 5-8 v. 5-8 Fire and Wild Animals Both of these analogies illustrate destructive power. v. 5 Fire Just as it only takes one match to set a forest on fire, so can one word destroy a man s life.

3 Wild Animals - Although wild animals may be dangerous or poisonous, they can still all be tamed somehow. James says that the tongue is more difficult to tame than any wild animal (v. 8). v. 6 World of Iniquity There is such a wide variety of ways that the tongue can bring forth evil that it is a "world of iniquity"! Defiles the Whole Body You look at someone in an entirely different way once you hear perverse words come out of their mouth. For instance, you may look at a sweet innocent child and feel warmth in your heart. But if that child begins to curse and say foul or perverted things, your whole view of that child has changed. They are "defiled." Somehow the child has been perverted by evil influences. There s no knowing how deeply the evil influence may have progressed in that child. In the same way, we become defiled in God s eyes when we use our tongue in an offensive or perverted way. Sets on Fire the Course of Nature and it is Set on Fire by Hell The fire of evil influence is out of control in this world and often shows itself most obvious in the words of men. Solution - Sometimes the best way to fight a fire is with a "backfire." On the day of Pentecost God sent the Holy Spirit in the form of tongues of fire resting on the heads of the saints. 1. If no man can tame the tongue, how do you think we can ever hope to get control of our speech? See Psalm 141: Without telling actual, specific, personal stories (gossip), give some generic examples of how words can be as destructive as a forest fire or a wild animal. TRUTH SUMMARY: The well-known Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe has broken this text down to the following: the tongue has 3 powers, the power to DIRECT, the power to DESTROY and the power to DELIGHT. Let s now look at the last 2 examples James uses to illustrate the power of the tongue to "DELIGHT" Fruit Trees and Fountains STUDY NOTES: verses 9-12

4 James speaks of our tongues being like fountains or fruit trees. Both of these things can bring welcomed refreshment to our daily lives. But James points out an inconsistency or contradiction in the words of believers. v. 9 Made in the Similitude of God Man was created with God-like characteristics, the ability to reason, feel emotion, make freewill decisions and so forth. God said, "Let us make man in Our image and after Our likeness" (Gen. 1:26). This applies to all men. Since all men were created in the likeness of God, showing respect for our fellow man is showing respect for God. v. 10 Out of the Same Mouth This is the real problem. Just as we as Christians should not be both good and evil, so our mouths should not be speaking both cursing and blessing. "My brethren, these things ought not to be so." Our aim should be consistency in every area of our lives. v. 11 Fresh vs. Bitter James asks a rhetorical question here. He makes the point that even nature demonstrates that water is either good or bad for drinking. You can t find a spring that brings forth both bad and good water at the same time. Likewise, as new creatures in Christ with "living water" abundantly available to us (John 7:38), we should not be bringing forth both good and bad language. v. 12 Olives, Grapes and Figs James now switches his analogy to fruit trees. The point here is not that olives are good and figs are evil. James point is again aiming at the consistency of our speech. Jesus said, "You can know a tree by its fruit" (Matt. 7:16). As the various fruit trees follow the laws of nature, so Christians should naturally be following the law of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-26). 1. In what ways can we use our tongues to refresh others like a fresh stream or a fruit tree? Come up with as many examples as you can as a group. 2. What would be an example of "bitter water" flowing out of our mouths? Can you list at least four different types of "bitter water" words?

5 3. Be willing to confess your faults to one another and pray for each other (James 5:16). What is the most difficult way for you personally to control your tongue? Give everyone in the group an opportunity to give input here. (There is a difference between giving an opportunity and "forcing" someone to share. Never put pressure on anyone in the group.) It is important to be vulnerable and humble yourself here if you really want to change. Then go into a time of prayer for one another. Ask yourself, "Was there a time when I honestly realized I was a sinner and admitted this to myself and to God?" CONCLUSION: See Matthew 12: If your heart is filled with evil and hatred, Satan will be the one who controls the fire of your tongue. If your heart is filled with the Holy Spirit and God's love, God will control the fire of your tongue! Pray always for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit so that your words will represent Jesus in you. Leaning on Him, Mike Sasso