With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth comes a blessing and a curse. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. —James 3:9-12

Introduction: The trouble with words…

Words are very powerful. But

is very hard.

The scary part: The weight of our combined words can create

.

So how do we fix our problem with words?

We start by being

about the problem!

“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.” —James 3:2

James compares a tongue to:

• A bit in a horse’s mouth (James 3:3)
• The rudder of a ship (James 3:4)
• A great forest set on fire by a small spark (James 3:4)

Each example is an image of something

affecting something very

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.

Is there any hope? James sums up:

“…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” —James 3:8

Important note: James calls the tongue, “a restless evil” (James 3:8).

Uncontrollable? No: Restless and

, but not unmanageable.

Some problems you can fix and some you just have to

.

So…why is James so harsh about how we talk to one another?

Remember how James starts: “…to the twelve tribes scattered abroad.”

1. James dealt with the
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   factions who had recently become Christians.
2. James had witnessed the death of his half-brother Jesus who was charged and convicted with
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   words.
3. James dealt with Jewish converts who did not believe
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   (Gentiles) could be Christians.

A biblical example: James and Paul were

.

In every case, Paul

to James’ leadership.

We can use words for good! A Thunderous example!

So how does James recommend we talk to each other?

Three things: bless, affirm, create peace.

• Bless: Share

.
• Affirm: Recognize the person you’re talking to is a

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of God.
• Create Peace:

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it to grow it.

James believes our words and deeds must be

.

Action Step

Practice blessing, affirming, and creating peace in everything you say!

“My additional notes:

”.