James 1:19-26, 3:1-12

Bible Study on James Tuesdays 7:00—8:15 pm A-3

James 2:14 NLT What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?

James 2:14 NLT What good is it, dear _________ and __________, if you say you have _______ but don’t show it by your________? Can that kind of ________ save anyone?

James 2:14 NLT What ______ is it, dear _________ and __________, if you say ___________________ but don’t show it ________________? Can that kind of ________ save _________?

James 2:14 NLT What ______________, dear ________________________, if you say ___________________ but don’t ________________________? Can that ______________ save _________?

James 2:14 NLT What ______________, dear ________________________, if ___________________________ but _____________________________? Can _______________________ _________?

James 2:14 NLT

James 2:14 NLT What ______________, dear ________________________, if ___________________________ but _____________________________? Can _______________________ _________?

Taming the Tongue James 1:19-26; 3:1-12

James 3:5 NASB “The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.”

James 3:5-6 NLT “A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire…. The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness…. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”

James 3:3 NLT “We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.”

James 1:26 NKJV “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.”

What are some kinds of “Tongue Trouble” people struggle with?

Tongue Trouble CURSING ANGER “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9-10 NIV ANGER “Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:20 NLT

Tongue Trouble ARGUING FOUL LANGUAGE “Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4:29 NLT ARGUING “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim. 2:24-25 NIV

Tongue Trouble COMPLAINING CRITICIZING “Do everything without complaining and arguing.” Philippians 2:14 NLT CRITICIZING “Don't criticize one another, brothers. He who criticizes a brother or judges his brother criticizes the law and judges the law.” James 4:ll HCSB “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and fail to notice the plank in your own?” Matthew 7:3 PHILLIPS

Tongue Trouble UNKIND WORDS GOSSIP “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be…. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. 2 Corinthians 12:20 NIV UNKIND WORDS  ”Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 ESV

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 NIV

“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8 NIV Why is it so hard to tame the tongue?

Taming the tongue requires Why is taming the tongue humanly impossible? “The mouth speaks what the heart is full of…. I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.” --Jesus Matthew 12:34, 36 NIV Taming the tongue requires heart transformation.

If my mouth is… Erupting often in anger Complaining Criticizing Arguing Blaming Saying unkind words Then James—and Jesus—say my real problem is a heart problem.

James 1:22-25 NLT What will you with what you’ve seen? “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.” What will you with what you’ve seen?

Table Sharing What kind of “tongue trouble” is the greatest challenge for you? How could you cooperate with God in overcoming that challenge?