Lesson Text: James 3:1-12 King James Version(KJV) Sunday, February 11, 2018 I. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE (Acts 3:1-6) 1. My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3. Behold, we put bits in the horses mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 5. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 6. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
II. IT WILL NOT BE EASY (James 3:7-12) 7. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 11. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12. Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. New International Version (NIV) I. CONTROL YOUR TONGUE (Acts 3:1-6) 1. Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow
believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. II. IT WILL NOT BE EASY (James 3:7-12) 7. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8. but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless
evil, full of deadly poison. 9. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God s likeness. 10. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12. My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION: 1. Our words show our real character (James 3:1-2). 2. Small things can often be used to exert control over people in unimaginable ways (James 3:3-4). 3. The tongue, although small, has incredible power to defile a person s body, their reputation, and their future (James 3:5-6).
4. The damage done by idle words can be long-lasting and far-reaching (James 3:7-8). 5. A person s tongue can do either good or evil; put yours to work for God (James 3:9-10). 6. We should resolve that in the Holy Spirit s power, we will speak words that build people up, not tear them down (James 3:11-12). ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***