In the Meantime, week four: Watch Your Mouth
James 3:2-12
Did you say anything you regret this week? How about the last five minutes?
We’re stuck here “in the meantime” and we’re all getting a little bit tired, a little bit cranky, a little bit DONE.
Week One - You don’t have to understand to obey.
Week Two - Look for the presence of God.
Week Three - Christ is in me. I have everything I need.
Context - followers of Jesus spread out through the Roman empire, struggling with persecution and temptation and difficult circumstances. James writes this to encourage and
2 We all stumble in many ways. 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 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. 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. —James 3:2-12
More
James said, “Ask for wisdom and God will give it to you.” (1:5)
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” (1:19)
*If you’re going to speak boldly, let it be about Jesus
Live your faith, share your faith…when absolutely necessary, use words.