lesson three the tongue James 3 Memory Verse: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17 18, NASB Background: Every Christian is responsible to teach others what God has revealed in His Word. However, James was evidently speaking of becoming teachers as the rabbis in his day were, namely, professional teachers. The Jews regarded teachers with great awe and gave them much honor in James day. The synagogue service allowed opportunity for men in the congregation to rise and address the rest of the assembly. The Christians carried this opportunity over into the meetings of the early church. Consequently, there were many in James audience who, though not qualified with ability, aspired to teach others publicly for the sake of prestige. James warned that God will judge a teacher more strictly than a non teacher because he presumably knows the truth and claims to live by it. Reflection: What are some words that were spoken to you that you will never forget? Or, what words shaped your future? What kinds of words do you speak most often? The Tongue The tongue [Gk glossa tongue, language; 5x in James] is the organ of speech. The tongue can be an instrument of sin and destruction. The tongue causes believers to stumble, boasts of great things, and is a fire of iniquity that can destroy lives, relationships, and families (James 3:5, 6, 8). Jesus taught that the words of the tongue reveal the true condition of the heart: But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders (Matthew 15:11 20). Three of the seven things that God hates involve misuse of the tongue: a lying tongue, a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers ( 6:16 19). The tongue can also be an instrument of blessing and joy to those who learn to control it. The tongue is mentioned frequently in the Word [~163x] providing vivid contrasts in choices, content, and consequences. James 3:9 Job 5:21 Job 6:30; Psalm 39:1 The Tongue: A Study in Contrasts Negative Examples Positive Examples Tongue curse men, made in James 3:8 9 Tongue bless our Lord and Father the image of God Tongue scourge [painful Job 6:24 God teaches us to hold our tongue whip] Tongue is full of iniquity and sin Psalm 51:14 Tongue sings praises joyfully to God Job 15:5 Tongue is crafty Psalm 66:17 Tongue can extol God continued on next page... 25
Job 27:4; Psalm 50:19; 52:4 Tongue is full of evil, wickedness and deceit Psalm 119:172 Tongue can sing of God s Word Psalm 5:9 Psalm 10:7 Psalm 12:3; 21:6 Psalm 34:13; 120:2 3 15:4 17:4 Jeremiah 9:8; Psalm 57:4; 64:3; 12:18 26:28 10:31 32 Tongue destruction, flattery, open grave Tongue curses, oppression, mischief Tongue pride, vanity, lies, flattery, boasting Tongue deceit and lies, pursuit of death A tongue of perversion crushes the spirit Destructive tongue ~ evildoers, wicked, liar Tongue is a deadly arrow or, sharp sword to ambush ones neighbor A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin The tongue of the perverted and wicked will be cut out Psalm 126:2 10:20 12:18 15:2 15:4 Song 4:11 25:15 31:26 10:31 32 Tongue can be full of laughter, joyful shouting, and rejoicing in the Lord The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver The tongue of the wise brings healing The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable A soothing tongue is a tree of life Tongue can be refreshing and pleasant as honey and milk A soft tongue breaks the bone [self restraint and gentleness are powerful] Tongue wisdom, teaching, and kindness Tongue of the righteous flows with wisdom Both death and life are in the power of the tongue ( 18:21). The ones who think they are religious, and yet do not bridle their tongue actually deceive their own hearts, and their religion is worthless (James 1:26). The ones who desire life, to love and see good days, will keep their tongue from evil and their lips from speaking deceit (1 Peter 3:10). And ultimately every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Romans 14:11; Philippians 2:10 11). To be perfect [Gk teleios complete, full, perfect (labor, growth, mental and moral character); 14x in James] does not indicate sinless perfection, rather it refers to one who has evidenced maturity, having achieved the goal for which one has been designed. God s desire is for each of His children to grow in grace, wisdom, and maturity. James urges believers to demonstrate maturity by endurance through various trials (James 1:4), by perfecting faith through works (James 2:22), and by controlling the tongue (James 3:2; 17:27 28; Psalm 34:13). * She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 31:26 NASB Constable, Tom. Tom Constable s Expository Notes on the Bible. www.soniclight.com, 2003. 26
day one Read James 3:1 2 1. In verse 3:1, who was James warning about becoming a teacher? And why? 2. James includes himself as teacher in verse 1 and states that teachers will be judged more strictly. Why do you think teachers will be held to a higher standard? 3. Read the Word Box on The Tongue. How would you describe the power of the tongue? 4. In verse 3:2, James says, If anyone makes no mistakes in what he says, he is a perfect man. Is anyone a perfect man (refer back to the Word Box, last paragraph, for the meaning of perfect )? If not, what is James saying here? 5. Sharing: Which of the positive or negative examples of the tongue in the chart in the Word Box have you personally experienced? Memory Verse: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17 18, NASB 27
days two and three Read James 3:3 12 1. What three things does James compare the tongue to and why each one? 2. How serious is the corruption of the tongue? How can the tongue defile the whole body (v6)? 3. What is the connection between the tongue and hell? 4. Why do you think James emphasizes the negative example of the fire much more than the positive examples of the horse s bit or ship s rudder? (Matthew 15:11, 18 19) 5. What are some dangers of an untamed tongue (for example, gossip)? Name as many as you can. (Word Box, 12:18 19, 13:3, 16:27, 17:7, 18:8, 25:18, Matthew 7:15) 6. How would you connect what James says here about the tongue with James 1:19 20? How does anger find expression in the tongue? 28
7. If no man can tame the tongue, where is our hope? (consult Ephesians 5:15 21) 8. Summarize what James is saying in 3:9 12. 9. According to Luke 6:45, what do our words reveal to us about the condition of our hearts? 10. How does control of the tongue provide evidence of spiritual maturity? 11. Sharing: What specific steps do you need to take to gain better control over your tongue in order to bless others? Memory Verse: But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17 18, NASB 29
day four Read James 3:13 18 1. What is the main topic in these verses? 2. What is James concern for his readers? 3. What is the connection between the tongue and wisdom? 4. Organize your observations about wisdom by contrasting the two types of wisdom in the following chart. Godly Wisdom Worldly Wisdom 5. James once again connects the heart with behavior. What insights does he offer about the heart and truth? 30
day five Read James 3:1 18 1. What have you learned about the tongue? 2. What advice do the following verses offer in helping us avoid future regrets and control our tongues? 13:3 14:7, 20:19 Ecclesiastes 3:7 Romans 12:2 3 3. Where and how do women encounter jealousy and selfish ambition? 4. Sharing: How have you been impacted by this in your own experience? 5. Sharing: Where in your personal circumstances this week do you need the gentle wisdom from above? personal response to God What is the condition of your heart? Go to the Lord in prayer, confess your concerns, and pray that He would mold your heart into conformity with His own. Read and meditate on the following verses. Note the main insight from each verse. 1 Samuel 16:7 Jeremiah 17:9 10 Psalm 51:10 4:23 Matthew 5:8 John 14:1 31