“The Tongue is a Fire” James 3:1-6 PRACTICING A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN WALK: A Study in the book of James “The Tongue is a Fire” James 3:1-6

The Tongue is a Fire 1  My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2  For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3  Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue is mentioned in every chapter: (1:19,26) “slow to speak” “does not bridle his tongue” (2:12) “speak as those who will be judged” (3:5,6,8) [note these in pink] (4:11) “speak evil” (5:12) “do not swear”

The Tongue is a Fire The Outline for the intro to chapter 3:1-6 The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) The Tongue has the Power to Control: (3:2-4) The Tongue has the Power to Consume: (vs.5,6)

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) Teachers of the Word have a stricter accountability: James 3:1 Responsibility Respect the Word Resist the pride, resist the pressure of the culture, resist the people’s reaction.

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) Ezekiel 3:17-19 17  "Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: Teacher of the Word must deliver a specific message: Ezek 3:17-19 As watchman, protectors of the community: (“house of Israel”) As watchman deliver the message God gives you regardless of its difficulty. As watchman protect God’s people from evil and wickedness.

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) Hebrews 13:7 7  Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Teachers of the Word must give account of the souls: Heb 13:17 God ordained authority over soul care. God ordained responsibility to give account before God.

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) Teachers of the Word must guard the way of truth: 2 Peter 2:1-3 2 Peter 2:1-3 1  But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2  And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3  By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.

The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1) Teachers of the Word must teach the doctrine conforming to Godliness: I Tim 6:3-5 1 Timothy 6:3-5 3  If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,