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The Epistle of James

The Epistle of James. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast. James 3:1-12 – Taming the Tongue This passage can be read on different levels Most seem to pass quickly over v1-2, in favor of the more lurid illustrations in v3-12 But these sections may be more connected than we realize.

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The Epistle of James

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  1. The Epistle of James

  2. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast James 3:1-12 – Taming the Tongue • This passage can be read on different levels • Most seem to pass quickly over v1-2, in favor of the more lurid illustrations in v3-12 • But these sections may be more connected than we realize

  3. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast More Learners, Fewer Teachers? • James 3:1-2 --Not many should presume to be teachers • KJV (King James Version) translates this as “masters”, which is an anachronism (cf. schoolmaster) • The Greek word is “didaskalos”, teacher • It is also translated as master many other places in the NT, at least in the KJV • “Presume” in the NIV (New International Version) is, well, presumed from the context • The Greek is just “become” • Presumably, nobody at all should presume to be a teacher

  4. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast • Because teachers will be judged more strictly • Why would this be? • Why are leaders held to a higher standard? • Consider Moses – Number 20:10 • He was excluded from the Promised Land, for losing his temper • Teachers will be judged more strictly because of their influence on others • Jesus taught this principle • Matthew 18:6 – Causing one of the little ones to sin • Matthew 23:13 -- “Woe to you, teachers of the law...”

  5. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast The Perfect Teacher: • One who is never at fault in what he says • This is a very high standard!

  6. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast The Untamable Tongue • First, some illustrations -- v3-6 • A horses bit • A ship's rudder • These are small compared to what they steer • But they steer most effectively • Likewise the tongue -- v5-6 • It is a small part of the body • But it can to terrible, life-lasting damage • Like a single spark can start a forest fire

  7. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast Continuing with the Tongue, and What We Say with It • We can tame all kinds of animals – v7 • But not the tongue – v8 • Incongruities (things that don't line up) – v9-12 • We praise God in our speech • But curse men • This is like two kinds of water from one spring • Or the wrong kind of fruit from a tree or a vine

  8. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast • Jesus also taught about what we say: • Matthew 5:22 -- “You fool!” • Matthew 12:36-37 – Every idle word • As did the Apostle Paul: • Romans 1:29-30 – Gossip and slander are listed in the acts of total depravity

  9. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast What We Say Is Not A New Problem • Proverbs 12:18, 13:3, and many others • Isaiah 6:5, 59:3

  10. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast If the Tongue is Full of Poison,What is the Antidote? • We can just say “words are just words” • “Sticks and stones...” • If you believe that, go to Harlem (New York) and say certain words

  11. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast • You Can Take a Vow of Silence

  12. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast • You can get one of these:

  13. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast • As Isaiah said, we are a people of unclean lips • Popular entertainment media have coarsened our speech • As has the Internet • Our words are impure at many levels • Words are more than just sounds • Words are symbols • This is especially true in the Bible • (Some) words are eternal • “Heaven and earth shall pass away...”

  14. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast So, if Our Words are Impure • Words come from the heart • So, we need a new heart – Ezekiel 36:26 • We need to be changed by the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2, NIV

  15. James Part 5 – Taming the Beast Tying It Together • A single perfect teacher, without fault in speech • Steers a whole congregation toward God • A single evil teacher, with a tongue of fire from hell • Steers a whole congregation into destruction

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