Class Lesson September 22, 2013

Hey Gang,




We continue in our series called "Pressure Points." Here are our six lessons in this series:

1. The Pressure of Trials - James 1:1-4
2. The Pressure of Temptation - James 1:13-18
3. The Pressure of Partiality - James 2:1-13
4. The Pressure of Words - James 3:1-18
5. The Pressure of Conflict - James 4:1-10
6. The Pressure of Retaliation - James 5:1-11

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Words are like "Containers for Power"

Joyce Meyers

Miss South Carolina

20%

"Corner Curio Ca_inet"

Wheel of Fortune

Words are a BIG DEAL!

 

 

The Point

Fuel your words with wisdom and gentleness.

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I. POWER OF WORDS – JAMES 3:1-8
Controlling the Tongue

3 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment, 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body. 3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell. 7 Every sea creature, reptile, bird, or animal is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Our culture lives in two extremes. At one end is political correctness. At the other end is saying whatever you want in whatever way you want. The person who can use words wisely is the person who has found biblical balance. We do that by controlling our tongues.


Why do you think teachers are subject to a stricter accountability before the Lord?

• Teaching was a highly valued and respected profession in Jewish culture, and many Jews who embraced Christianity wanted to become teachers. James warned that although it is good to aspire to teach, the teacher’s responsibility is great because their words and example affect others’ spiritual lives. If you are in a teaching or leadership role, how are you affecting those you lead?
• God holds teachers to a higher standard of accountability because of the powerful influence of their instruction.

What would you consider examples of an untamed tongue?

• What you say and what you don’t say are both important. Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you shouldn’t. Examples of an untamed tongue include gossiping, putting others down, bragging, manipulating, false teaching, exaggerating, complaining, flattering, and lying. Before you speak, ask, “Is what I want to say true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”

James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire that has its source in hell itself.

• James compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire – the tongue’s wickedness has its source in hell itself. The uncontrolled tongue can do terrible damage. Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against one another. Idle and hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly, and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire – you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do.
• Our speech can control and influence what we do and what we experience in life.
• Uncontrolled, our words can wreak havoc and bring hurt and destruction to ourselves and others.

If no human can control the tongue, why bother trying? 

• Even if we may not achieve perfect control of our tongues, we can still learn enough control to reduce the damage our words can do. It is better to fight a fire than to go around setting new ones! Remember that we are not fighting the tongue’s fire in our own strength. The Holy Spirit will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say, so that when we are offended, the Spirit will remind us of God’s love, and we won’t react in a hateful manner. When we are criticized, the Spirit will heal the hurt, and we won’t lash out.

II. INCONSISTENT WORDS – JAMES 3:9-12

9 We praise our Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. 10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.


James says that our tongues act inconsistently. How does he describe this?

• Our contradictory speech often puzzles us. At times our words are right and pleasing to God, but at other times they are violent and destructive.
• One person blesses the meal and then gossips while eating. A coach leads the Lord’s Prayer to launch the game and then curses at his players. On the way to church a dad scolds and complains; then walks in to sing to God. Tongues aren’t just inconsistent; they’re deadly. They can produce verbal cyanide. Some words are lethal, relentless, and destructive. Words spoken carelessly, unwisely, and hastily can set ablaze family, church, and community. Words can kill.

Which of these speech patterns reflects our true identity?

• The tongue gives us a picture of our basic human nature. We were made in God’s image, but we have also fallen into sin. God works to change us from the inside out. When the Holy Spirit purifies a heart, He gives self-control so that the person will speak words that please God.
• As a believer you need to be consistent in the use of your tongue, for you are not to bless God and curse people made in His image.
• The words of our mouths either will support or negate the reality of our Christian testimony.

III. WISDOM AND WORDS – JAMES 3:13-18
The Wisdom from Above

13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.


Do you think James chapter 3 is addressed to teachers or to all Christians in general?

• Some Bible interpreters think that James was addressing teachers throughout the whole of chapter 3, offering them instruction on controlling the tongue and the need to be spiritually mature, possessing and living by heavenly wisdom.
• I think the passage considers a broader audience.

How does James use wisdom as it relates to words?

• Have you ever known anyone who claimed to be wise but who acted foolishly? True wisdom can be measured by the depth of a person’s character. Just as you can identify a tree by the type of fruit it produces, you can elevate your wisdom by the way you act. Foolishness leads to disorder, but wisdom leads to peace and goodness. Are you tempted to escalate the conflict, pass on the gossip, or fan the fire of discord? Careful, winsome speech and wise, loving words are the seeds of peace. God loves peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).

What’s the difference in heavenly and earthly wisdom?

• Heavenly wisdom has more to do with godly conduct than it does knowledge and intelligence.
• Earthly wisdom is self-serving, factious, and hostile.

How should living according to heavenly wisdom affect the way you communicate with others?

• Heavenly wisdom leads to living morally pure, being spiritually authentic, and focusing on others rather than on self.
• To live by heavenly wisdom results in peace and righteousness.

Ways of communicating with others have never been more available. We are not limited to the spoken word. Therefore, James’s message about the power of words is greatly needed, even among believers.

Prayer of Commitment

Lord, so help me that the words of my mouth will truly reflect the wisdom from the Word that I claim resides in my heart. Amen.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan