Bible Studies
James 3:1-12 – Taking the Helm
Key Verses: (NSRV)
- 1: “Not many of you should become teachers…, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” – James is stressing the importance of teaching. It is not a responsibility to take lightly.
- 2: “For all of us make many mistakes.” – Mistakes made in the roles of teacher and leader are magnified.
- 5: “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.” – Comparing the tongue with the rudder of a ship, James illustrates that what we say has a great affect on the world around us.
- 6: “And the tongue is a fire…it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell.” – Even a small spark of flame can consume an entire forest. When the tongue sets off that spark, creating the fires of distorted truth and self-righteousness, it is doing the work of evil.
- 8: “but no one can tame the tongue – a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” – So much damage is caused when thoughtless, uncontrolled speech flows forth from our mouths.
- 10: “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” – In one breathe we can bless God, praising Him and rejoicing in His love and in the next, release a stream of vile, evil phrases attacking those very people that He created.
- 10b: “My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.” – If we are changed by our relationship with Christ, then we need to bridle our tongues so that what flows forth reflects the love that resides within.
- Are you a teacher?
Promises of the Gospel:
One of the most important attributes of the book of James is that he is providing us with elementary skills and tools in order to be able to live a life of faith. He does not feel that this is a lofty, unattainable goal or he would not have bothered to write the book in the first place. James convicts us to realize that our relationship with Christ should mean something. We are not simply saved and destined for eternal glory. Yes, we are forgiven of our sins through the Cross and our faith in Christ, however, the result of our salvation and our faith should be a changed heart. James teaches that what we say and how we say it is a direct reflection of our inner life. He vividly paints a picture that illustrates how damaging and evil the tongue can be. He brings the truth of his claim directly into our own living-rooms and provides us with real-life examples. He ends his lesson with the statement “this ought not to be so” in order that we can come to the realization that there are things we can do to allow Christ in our heart. When we do, we take control of the rudder and steer our lives into the path that God wants us to follow.
1“Life Application Bible” (NRSV) – Notes for verses 3.2,3. pp2176
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