JAMES
Lesson 11: The Power of the Tongue
Study Guide
James 3:2-12 CSB
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.
3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.
4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest.
6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness.
10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?
12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
• Practical Discipleship for Everyone.
• Bible Memorization. Psalm 119:11
o I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Last week’s memory verse:
James 3:2
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
This week’s memory verse:
James 3:10
10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
Point 1: Small things can have a big influence.
- bridle/horse
- rudder/ship
- spark/fire
maturity - “he is a perfect man” means “fully equipped,” “full-grown,” “complete,” or “mature,” not sinless. (cf. James 1:4,17,25; 2:22; 3:2)
• “Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us,”
Control its tongue, control the
Psalm 39:1 CSB
I said, “I will guard my ways
so that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle
as long as the wicked are in my presence.”
• “…and we turn their whole body”
Horse - Small bit and a bridle.
Christian - spiritual bit – God’s control.
Luke 6:45
A good person brings out good from the good stored in their heart, while an evil person brings out evil from the evil stored in their heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
Blessings versus cursing.
Our speech deteriorates when our commitment to
Proverbs 29:11
*Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
The tongue has
Jeremiah 17:9 CSB
The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?
James 3:8
But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
• “But no man can tame the tongue.”
“no man” - any person of men; no human being in his own power can control the tongue.
Trying to manipulate or modify speech is
• “It is a restless evil,”
“unruly” - unsettled, unstable, disorderly. It is not subject to control.
• “full of deadly poison”
“deadly” - death-bearing. The tongue produces a kind of death.
deadly poison: slander, malice, anger, and envy.
Verbal malice
Our
Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are detestable to the Lord, but an accurate weight is his delight.
Include your notes about Point 1 here.
Key takeaways:
1. Speech is a Sign of Spiritual Maturity or Immaturity.
• Evaluate your speech.
2. Speech Comes from our internal reality.
• Understand words are a reflection of your inner thoughts, struggles, and beliefs. (James 1:19-21; Romans 12:1-2)
3. Control the Tongue, Control Your Life.
• Recognize words shape reality.
• Develop the habit of pausing and thinking before you speak.
• Practice mindfulness and self-discipline.