2. KEY TEXT
“ ‘For by your
words you will be
justified, and by
your words you will
be condemned’ ”
Matt. 12:37
3. “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers,
knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”
(James 3:1)
There are two kinds of teachers:
1. Those who want to be teachers, but God
didn’t want them to be so. They boast
of their knowing, but they don’t feed on
the actual source of wisdom
(Proverbs 9:10).
2. Those who have the gift of teaching.
They humbly accept the responsibility
for that gift God gave them
(1 Corinthians 12:28).
The Church needs responsible teachers.
They must seek God’s wisdom and conduct
the flock with their words and their
example.
Education for eternity should be the highest goal for teachers and students.
Learning becomes an inspiring activity that way.
4. “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he
is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.” (James 3:2)
“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth
good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings
forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth
speaks.” (Luke 6:45)
Which
positive
words—
words that
do not
offend—can
come out of
our mouth?
Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is the Lord (Romans 10:9)
Imitating the words Jesus spoke (Luke 4:22)
Teaching and speaking what God ordered (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Doing what we say (Deuteronomy 23:23)
Singing and praising God (Psalm 40:3)
Instructing and guiding others (Proverbs 10:21)
Words that cheer up (Proverbs 12:25)
We need to bring “every thought into captivity to the
obedience of Christ” (2Co. 10:5) in order to speak life.
If we live in communion with Christ since the early morning,
our words will become balm instead of affront.
5. “The talent of speech was given to be used for
the benefit of all. Pleasant, cheery words cost no
more than unpleasant, moody words. Sharp
words wound and bruise the soul. In this life
everyone has difficulties with which to wrestle.
Everyone meets with grievances and
disappointments. Shall we not bring sunshine
instead of gloom into the lives of those with
whom we come in contact? Shall we not speak
words that will help and bless? Such words will
be just as verily a blessing to us as to those to
whom they are spoken.”
E.G.W. (Our High Calling, October 15)
6. “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we
turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and
are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder
wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and
boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!”
(James 3:3-5)
The fierceness of a powerful horse
subdues to a little bit. A little rudder
turns a large boat among the strong
waves. A little match may burn a huge
forest down.
Our tongue can do great good and evil,
just like those little things. It depends
on how we use it.
If we cannot tame our tongue properly
sometimes, let’s change the subject of
our conversation quickly. We must not
let our tongue tame us.
7. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among
our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course
of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird,
of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by
mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison.” (James 3:6-8)
Some words are loaded with
venom; they destroy everything
like an overwhelming fire. They
destroy friendship, marriage and
reputation. They cannot be
stopped once they leave our
mouth.
We cannot tame our
tongue without the help
of the Holy Spirit.
8. THE EFFECT OF POSITIVE WORDS
“A soft answer turns away wrath.”
(Proverbs 15:1)
“Keep your tongue from evil, and
your lips from speaking deceit.”
(Psalm 34:13)
“A man has joy by the answer of his
mouth, and a word spoken in due
season, how good it is!”
(Proverbs 15:23)
“For to one is given the word of
wisdom through the Spirit, to another
the word of knowledge through the
same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:8)
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your
mouth, but what is good for necessary
edification, that it may impart grace to
the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
THE EFFECT OF NEGATIVE WORDS
“But a harsh word stirs up anger.”
(Proverbs 15:1)
“Who sharpen their tongue like a
sword, and bend their bows to shoot
their arrows—bitter words.”
(Psalm 64:3)
“An ungodly man digs up evil, and it
is on his lips like a burning fire.”
(Proverbs 16:27)
“He who answers a matter before he
hears it, it is folly and shame to him.”
(Proverbs 18:13)
“But I say to you that for every idle
word men may speak, they will give
account of it in the day of judgment.”
(Matthew 12:36)
9. “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have
been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed
blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a
spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig
tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring
yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:9-12)
The nature of a spring conditions the quality of its
water. The nature of a tree conditions the fruit it
bears. But we bear an ambiguous fruit: both blessing
and cursing. “These things ought not to be so.”
Christians should bear fruit of blessing only. Why
does evil fruit come out from our mouth sometimes?
Sin breaks our relationship with God. It generates
bad words in us; words with devastating
consequences.
Nevertheless, God forgives our sin. He is willing to
restore us, so we bring words of blessing to the
world.
10. “The most persuasive eloquence is the word that
is spoken in love and sympathy. Such words will
bring light to confused minds and hope to the
discouraged, brightening the prospect before
them. The time in which we live calls for vital,
sanctified energy; for earnestness, zeal, and the
tenderest sympathy and love; for words that will
not increase misery, but will inspire faith and
hope. We are homeward bound, seeking a better
country, even an heavenly. Instead of speaking
words which will rankle in the breasts of those
that hear, shall we not speak of the love
wherewith God hath loved us? Shall we not try
to lighten the hearts of those around us by words
of Christlike sympathy?”
E.G.W. (Our High Calling, October 16)
11. JAMES,
THE BROTHER OF JESUS
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