The Book of
James 3
18 verses≈ 3 minBSB
Images are artistic interpretations.
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Where we are
- 1Tested faithJoy in trials; hear and do
- 2Living faithNo favorites; faith that works
- 3Wise wordsTaming the tongue; wisdom from aboveChapter 3
- 4Humble heartsDraw near to God, not the world
- 5Patient hopeWait for the Lord; pray in faith
Taming the Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
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Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze.
James 3:5
Question
Quick question
A horse, a ship, a forest. James picks three big things, and three small things that steer them.
Which three pictures does James use for the tongue’s power?
The tongue also is a fire
James 3:6
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
The same mouth
Whiteboard
The same tongue praises God and runs down the people He made. James won’t let that pass: “My brothers, this should not be!” Nature itself knows better. A spring gives one kind of water; a fig tree bears figs. What comes out of our mouths shows what is really inside.
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!
Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Reflect
Same mouth
“Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing.” Think back over the last few days. Where did your words build someone up, and where did they wound? Is there someone you speak about differently when they aren’t in the room? Write down one conversation you want to handle differently this week, and one person you could bless with your words today.
The Wisdom from Above
Two kinds of wisdom
Whiteboard
James doesn’t measure wisdom by how clever someone sounds, but by what it produces. Wisdom driven by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition” leaves “disorder and every evil practice” behind it. The wisdom God gives is “pure, then peace-loving, gentle,” and it bears fruit you can see.
Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap the fruit of righteousness.
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Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain
the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
James 3:17
Pray
Wisdom from above
Ask God for the wisdom James describes: “pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.” Name one place where jealousy or selfish ambition has crept in, and hand it to Him. Then ask Him to make you a peacemaker this week, someone who sows in peace and trusts Him for the harvest.
You’ve experienced
James 3
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A verse to carry with you
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
James 3:17
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