Tame The Tongue
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James 3:1-12
Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. 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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Read Scripture:
Next week we will be starting a new sermon series as we prepare to celebrate Christmas together. We will be looking at specific prophecies and how they each point to the coming of Jesus.
If you missed getting a Scripture journal for the book of James and bookmark, you can download them here.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Complete the O.I.A. framework for this passage from James.
Questions:
1) What key words did you find in this week’s study?
2) Make accurate observations of the passage by answering ‘who, what, where, when, why, and how’.
3) What do these observations show you about God? What do these observations show you about yourself? Journal your thoughts and share them with someone else or your group.
4) How you are going to apply this passage to your daily life? Journal your thoughts and share them with someone else or your group.
Prayer:
God,
Help me to keep control over my tongue, my words can be used build others up or tear others down. With those who I need to build up, give me the opportunity to do so… for those I have cursed or wounded with my words, give me the opportunity to seek forgiveness.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
