How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire. That may be where you are but thats not where god wants you. If the mastery of the tongue is a sign of maturity, it is so for all christians. He goes on to say that it corrupts the whole body and sets the course for ones life on fire.
Study the bible online using commentary on james 3 and more. James 3 with king james version lyrics and commentary, background info, trivia and music downloads. James 3, new international version niv the bible app. James continues to be increasingly specific as to how the word should act upon us to produce a spiritual character. In this passage in james 3, lets find out the true meaning of taming the tongue. The scripture has much to say about taming the tongue, or controlling our speech. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check 3 when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can.
Study guide for james 3 by david guzik blue letter bible. James 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. King james version 1 my brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. James seems to be moving in a very different direction after his discourse on works, which concluded, faith apart from. Lets read these word pictures in the context of this book of the bible.
No man can tame the tongue without supernatural grace and assistance. James 3 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. James warns that the size of the tongue is no measure of the power it wields. Cautions against proud behaviour, and the mischief of an unruly tongue. This is somewhat confusing, but what follows seems to explain it.
The concept of taming the tongue is found in james 3 where god declares, through the apostle james, that no one can tame the tongue james 3. If you continue browsing the site, you agree to the use of cookies on this website. Capable of setting on fire the course of nature, being set on fire by hell d. Like a little fire which kindles a great forest fire 3. 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. James is steeped in the old testament, and it especially the book of proverbs has much to say about the power of the tongue, either for good or for evil. Visit our library of inductive bible studies for more in depth inductive studies on this and other books of the bible you can use in your small group. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. David guzik commentary on james 3, in which james gives a word of warning to the teachers to tame the tongue and seek wisdom.
James argument therefore seems to run as a teacher you will have to speak many words, and the chances are v. The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies, that pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the. The lengthy discussion about the tongue in this chapter is both convicting and illuminating. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man. For the tongue is difficult, indeed impossible, to tame naturally, because, as we. By this, james provides a measure of spiritual maturity for teachers and for all christians. Recap james was the leader of the first church in jerusalem. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, etc. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. James is no doubt well aware of the old testament proverbs that speak about the lifegiving power of the tongue e.
The tongue is a fire, with the power set fire to all our relationships. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. A man with a pastors heart he felt an enormous responsibility for the spiritual growth of christs followers everywhere. Yet, james urges us to consider the power of the tongue. Lets open our bibles as we study gods word tonight to the third chapter of james, the third chapter of james. The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts. Just as the tiniest of sparks can ignite a great forest fire, the smallest of words, unwisely spoken, can cause immeasurable harm. While youre doing that, just tell you a little personal incident that occurred in my. The tongue is powerful, but deadly, and out of control. The second reason is that the tongue, while small, has a very destructive power. But james s words are applicable far beyond those who are called to teach.
James 3 is the third chapter of the epistle of james in the new testament of the christian bible. Whoever can control the tongue can bridle the whole body james 3. To not stumble in word shows true spiritual maturity. But this will never happen, as james is about to show. How we use our tongues provides clear evidence of where we are spiritually. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern their tongues v. James uses 3 illustrations of something very small like taming the tongue having so much power. To encourage believers to use their words to build up others and to be a positive witness with our words our scripture today is basically about gossip and the damage that it does. Verse 6 is a fairly complicated sentence in the greek.
James has used the image to stir people to swift and radical action. The sight of a rapidly spreading fire is terrifying. James 3 english standard version esv taming the tongue. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. List those 3 illustrations and look up images online. The first two of these stress the importance and power of such a small instrument as the tongue, and the third stresses the astounding damage resulting. Get ready to explore the meaning of this phrase as we continue our bible study and learn about word pictures. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of men. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. There is such an abundance of sin in the tongue that it may be called a world of iniquity. Man can control creatures of land and sea, but not the tongue 2.
The text has been edited and condensed by ihcc staff for use as a bible study aid. The whole of chapter 3 is devoted to showing how our words are the clearest indicator of how the word is affecting our heart, and the emphasis we should therefore give to the control of the tongue and the thoughts behind it. Here he employs some of the fiercest language in the book. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity. So is the tongue among the members that it defileth the whole body. A cartoon from leadership magazine shows a line of pews and the same sentence being passed from pew to pew. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
Among the things this chapter reveals about the tongue. The demonstration of a living faith in controlling what we say. However, to tame the tongue is another thing entirely. James 3 not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. The author identifies himself as james, a servant of god and of the lord jesus christ and the epistle is traditionally attributed to james the brother of jesus, written in jerusalem between 4861 ce. Real wisdom and understanding will show in our lives, by our good conduct. Introduction in his book entitled killing giants, pulling thorns,26 chuck swindoll. Indeed, the tongue can be a fire, a world of iniquity a.
James 3 not many of you should become teachers, my. Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, slow to wrath. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole. Tonight for our bible study, we go back to james, chapter 3, and look again at the subject of taming the tongue. Uncontrolled and untamed, without interference, a fire can spread to leave absolutely nothing untouched, unscorched, and. Alternatively, some scholars argue that it is a pseudographical work written after 61 ce. Here are ten daily reminders to steady your soul and infuse meaning into every step.
As we come to james 3, it would have been very easy for me to title this. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison james 3. To c the twelve tribes in d the dispersion greetings testing of your faith. I can see by the attendance tonight that it was a little too convicting last week. There are three comparisons introduced by james with this verse with reference to the tongue. Both the book of proverbs and our lord jesus spoke with searching clarity about the. What better way to be heard as a believer than to be a teacher of the gospel. James 3 commentary the specific dangers of the tongue. This is especially relevant to teachers, who have so much more opportunity to sin with their tongue. The affairs of mankind are thrown into confusion by the tongues of. James 3 commentary james burton coffman commentaries on.