James 3:1-12
Q.1. What makes setting yourself up as a teacher dangerous? How did James illustrate the impossibility of controlling the tongue? What does our use of the tongue prove? – (Jms.3:1-8)
Any preacher and teacher can testify to the blessing of studying and preparing messages. However, the adage – practice what you preach has found its way into our speech for a reason. A higher standard of judgment will be applied to those who teach the Word. James shared the illustrations of the way that horses and ships can be directed with bits, bridles, and small rudders. He applied this to the influence of the tongue – For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well … But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison (Jms.3:2 & 8). In fact, the tongue has massive destructive force – And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell (Jms.3:6). Our use of the tongue proves beyond any shadow of doubt that we are sinners, and desperately in need of a Saviour.
Q.2. How did James describe the contradiction of our speech? What solution did he give to help us use our tongues constructively? – (Jms.3:8-12)
James acknowledged the contradictory nature of the tongue. The same tongue that is able to bless God, can also curse those made in the likeness of Him (Jms.3:9-10). The answer to this dilemma is not easy. The insight James gave us, is for us to recognize that such inconsistency is not acceptable. That is the starting point. Just as Paul spoke about LAYING ASIDE THE OLD SELF WITH ITS EVIL PRACTICES … AND PUTTING ON THE NEW SELF MADE IN THE LIKENESS OF GOD (Col.3:1-17), so James urged us to bear fruit consistent with the living water that is fresh and not bitter. Such fruit in us will be the Fruit of the Spirit. (Jms.3:11-12 c.f. Jn.7:37-38; Gal.5:22-23).