James 3:1-12
March 13, 2019

• 3:1, Teachers are called to instruct the church so as to “ground” her. (apostles – stand and empower; pastors – know and encourage smaller groups with their presence; evangelists – add mightily to the numbers; prophets – treat the sick and the stuck; teachers – ground).
o Competent, trusted, influential.
o Judged with greater thoroughness and strictness.
o Matthew 12:34-37 – all will be judged by our words.
• 3:2, we trip in various ways. A person who no longer trips in their speech has (1) overcome subcategories and (2) overcome the most difficult way of sinning. You can’t fake this one.
o Jesus says our words reflect our nature (old vs. new). Like what makes you laugh.
o (i) The tongue a product of what is in our heart (sin, fear, selfishness, misinformation); (ii) It controls and directs our present and future (without intervention).
• 3:3-5, The tongue is a napoleon. Little, bold, driven, and harnessing great power (our lives).
• 3:5b-6, A tongue out of control is like a hellfire that hurts those near it, those attached, and even the tongue itself.
• 3:7-8, Man can subdue and restrain all sorts of beasts, to produce control, order and peace. No man can tame the tongue. Like an animal who:
o Is bound for evil in the form of anarchy – will die before is used for order.
o Is killing all the time with a full storehouse of venom – will kill without prejudice.
• 3:9-12 (evidence in light of the seriousness of this problem). Tongues bless the Trinity (he is speaking to born again folks); Tongues curse (desire pain and evil) God’s image bearers. The tongue is an instrument designed with a purpose. We don’t use a first aid kit to bludgeon someone; or a rifle to heal someone. The tongue is designed (redeemed) to BLESS – to confer benefits and life.
• TAKE AWAYS:
o We are loved and called to holiness.
o We have a ways to go.
o We will get there!
o Teachers and non-teachers, go to the only One who can perfect us, culminating in the redemption of our tongues.