James 3 Taming the Tongue

Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
1. The word master here means leader, instructor or

the same title given to Jesus in the Gospels.
2. Although James is not discouraging us from becoming teachers he is warning us of the great

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of being a teacher.
3. This verse isn’t referring to teaching something wrong but instead to the

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of the teacher.
4. He is using this tactic to discourage people who may want to be a teacher to gain

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.
Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
5. Verse 2 means that we all “offend” or that we all

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.
6. Remember the word “perfect” throughout the New Testament simply means

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7. The mature Christian by learning to watch his speech will also be able to control his

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.
8. James isn’t saying that this is the

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measure of spiritual maturity but it is an important one.
Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
9. The bit is a small piece of

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in the horses mouth that connects to the bridle.
10. Today the helm of ship is the area from where the boat is controlled and can consist of the wheel, the oar or the

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but James is referring to the rudder.
11. He is relaying that though our tongue is

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it controls all that we do.
12. Not only can our words control our actions but they also can reveal our

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.
*Luk_6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.*
13. When our tongue is out of control

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are out of control.
14. Just as controlling our tongue helps to control our actions not controlling it is like a small

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that ignites a whole flame.
15. When we refuse to control our words and we cause strife amongst ourself and others we are being a weapon of

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.
Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
16. The animals of the earth have all been

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, hunted or even made pets.
17. Its easier to tame a wild animal than it is to tame your tongue. We can not control our words apart from the

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.
Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
18. It is contrary or

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to Christian character to bless, worship and love God but at the same time wish ill will toward people.
Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
19. This passage of scripture is referring to the content and the

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of our speech.
20. It speaks of the trustworthiness of a fresh water spring and the

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fruit bearing trees.
Jas 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Jas 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
Jas 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
21. Verses 13 and 14 are taking us back up to verse 1 and addressing the person who still desires to teach after reading this

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letter.
22. They lesson in the 2 verses is if you cant speak and be both firm and

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you don’t need to be teaching.
23. Correction without meekness is not from

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.
Jas 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Jas 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
24. The primary purpose of Bible teaching is to help others make

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with God through the clear teaching of His word while incorporating the principles in verse 17.