Lesson 7 for November 15, 2014

“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1) There are two kinds of teachers: 1.Those who want to be teachers, but God didn’t want them to be so. They boast of their knowing, but they don’t feed on the actual source of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). 2.Those who have the gift of teaching. They humbly accept the responsibility for that gift God gave them (1 Corinthians 12:28). The Church needs responsible teachers. They must seek God’s wisdom and conduct the flock with their words and their example. Education for eternity should be the highest goal for teachers and students. Learning becomes an inspiring activity that way.

“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.” (James 3:2) “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45) Which positive words— words that do not offend—can come out of our mouth? Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is the Lord (Romans 10:9) Imitating the words Jesus spoke (Luke 4:22) Teaching and speaking what God ordered (Deuteronomy 6:6-7) Doing what we say (Deuteronomy 23:23) Singing and praising God (Psalm 40:3) Instructing and guiding others (Proverbs 10:21) Words that cheer up (Proverbs 12:25) We need to bring “every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2Co. 10:5) in order to speak life. If we live in communion with Christ since the early morning, our words will become balm instead of affront.

“The talent of speech was given to be used for the benefit of all. Pleasant, cheery words cost no more than unpleasant, moody words. Sharp words wound and bruise the soul. In this life everyone has difficulties with which to wrestle. Everyone meets with grievances and disappointments. Shall we not bring sunshine instead of gloom into the lives of those with whom we come in contact? Shall we not speak words that will help and bless? Such words will be just as verily a blessing to us as to those to whom they are spoken.” E.G.W. (Our High Calling, October 15)

“Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 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. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:3-5) The fierceness of a powerful horse subdues to a little bit. A little rudder turns a large boat among the strong waves. A little match may burn a huge forest down. Our tongue can do great good and evil, just like those little things. It depends on how we use it. If we cannot tame our tongue properly sometimes, let’s change the subject of our conversation quickly. We must not let our tongue tame us.

THE EFFECT OF POSITIVE WORDS “A soft answer turns away wrath.” (Proverbs 15:1) “Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit.” (Psalm 34:13) “A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good it is!” (Proverbs 15:23) “For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:8) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29) THE EFFECT OF NEGATIVE WORDS “But a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1) “Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words.” (Psalm 64:3) “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire.” (Proverbs 16:27) “He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.” (Proverbs 18:13) “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

“With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.” (James 3:9-12) The nature of a spring conditions the quality of its water. The nature of a tree conditions the fruit it bears. But we bear an ambiguous fruit: both blessing and cursing. “These things ought not to be so.” Christians should bear fruit of blessing only. Why does evil fruit come out from our mouth sometimes? Sin breaks our relationship with God. It generates bad words in us; words with devastating consequences. Nevertheless, God forgives our sin. He is willing to restore us, so we bring words of blessing to the world.

“The most persuasive eloquence is the word that is spoken in love and sympathy. Such words will bring light to confused minds and hope to the discouraged, brightening the prospect before them. The time in which we live calls for vital, sanctified energy; for earnestness, zeal, and the tenderest sympathy and love; for words that will not increase misery, but will inspire faith and hope. We are homeward bound, seeking a better country, even an heavenly. Instead of speaking words which will rankle in the breasts of those that hear, shall we not speak of the love wherewith God hath loved us? Shall we not try to lighten the hearts of those around us by words of Christlike sympathy?” E.G.W. (Our High Calling, October 16)