James 3:1-12 for June 29th
Dear brothers and sisters,
Who can tame the tongue? (James 3:1-12) How often we have spoken words like shots from a gun and wished, so wished we could have them back? Our words are like ripples on the proverbial pond. This passage compels us to examine carefully the words of Jesus: in Matthew 12:33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” We can see the tongue in James represents the heart otherwise it would only be a “mute” – (pun intended) question.
We teachers are particularly prone to running our mouth and thus being more ready to fall into great transgression. “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Pro. 10:19)
Gossip (talking about people’s private lives) goes along with slander, conceit and being a busybody. We can easily see how this can destroy a church, family, business or any group of people. Proverbs 18:6-7 brand a person who does not control his tongue a fool.
Note the three analogies James uses of small things having great effect. The horse, a ship and a great forest fire all are related to a very small thing. Discuss with some one verse 6 as to the tongue’s character, influence and its allegiance to the heart. Only God can give us the grace to control such a powerful part of our body, without His Spirit the tongue will bring misery to all who hear us.
Our inability is in contrast to nature where springs and trees are consistent in what they produce according to their nature. Could it be because of our sin nature we cannot tame the tongue? Think and discuss times in your life when you have deeply regretted causing sorrow, anger and pain with your tongue. If possible, be sure to ask for forgiveness.
I ask us to pray together that the Lord will give us victory in some ways over our words. Surely He will hear us if we pray for grace to bless and not curse other people made in His image.
See you Sunday,
Lee