James 3:1-12 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is James 3:1-12. Let’s go!
James 3:1 (NIV)
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
On verse 1: Some love the limelight that comes with being a teacher of God’s Word, but with the power of the podium comes great responsibility. Teachers of God’s Word are often looked to as examples of how Christians should act and live. That’s why if you want to teach God’s Word with effectiveness and longevity, your character in private needs to exceed your charisma on stage.
James 3:2 (NIV)
2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
On verse 2: This verse teaches us two important truths. First, none of us is perfect – “we all stumble in many ways”. Second, when you are careful with your words, you keep yourself from getting into unnecessary trouble (or, in James’ words, you keep your body in check). As Proverbs 13:3 says, “He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin.”
James 3:3-4 (NIV)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
On verses 3-4: James uses these analogies to tell us that, like my phone, your destiny is voice-activated. Speak positive, faith-filled words, and you will tend toward a happy, successful life. Speak negative, complaining, fearful words, and you will tend toward a depressing, unproductive life. That’s the power of the tongue. It’s such a small part of the body, and yet it determines the course of our lives. Our lives tend to go where our words go. We create our worlds with our words.
James 3:5-6 (NIV)
5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
On verses 5-6: Here James describes the destruction that a careless, evil tongue can cause. Just as your tongue can set you on a good course, your tongue can also set you on a destructive path if you do not control it. As Proverbs 18:21 (ESV) says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits”.
James 3:7-8 (NIV)
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
On verses 7-8: If “no man can tame the tongue”, who can? God can. The more you allow God’s Word to be stored up in your heart and the more you allow the Holy Spirit to reign over your life, the more you give God control over your tongue. More and more over time, the Holy Spirit can put to rest the evil on your tongue and drain the deadly poison out of your words if you let Him.
James 3:9-12 (NIV)
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
On verses 9-12: In verse 9 James is saying that when we curse people, who are made in God’s likeness, we are ultimately cursing God. How can we use the same mouth to praise God and to curse Him too (v10)? James is calling us to a life of integrity, where no matter where we are or whom we are with, our words are like fresh water to weary souls (v11), where, like a fig tree that bears figs as expected, our words are consistent with what a follower of Jesus should sound like (v12).
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the power of our words. Holy Spirit come and take over my tongue, that no matter where I am or whom I am with, the words I speak would honour You, encourage others, and bless me. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
