1. James, Due Today… -The Assignment: Explain How Abraham was “justified” using this passage and Romans 4:3 and Gen. 15:6, 22:1-14. (Remember this is what we talked about in class, so if you applied yourself in Impact, this should be easy.) -The Memory verse: James 2:26

2. James Week 6 -The Point: No man can tame the tongue. -The Assignment: This week, take the time to apologize for things you have said with that tongue of yours to three people. If you finish this task, simply tell me when you quote your memory verse. -The Memory verse: James 3:6

3. James 3 There seems to be two reoccurring themes that have been running through this letter so far. 1) It seems that James is focusing on his audience not “deceiving” themselves. a. 1:6-7 ask in faith or don’t deceive yourself by expecting something from God. b. 1:8-9 The brothers of low and high degree that are misunderstanding themselves. c. 1:16 “do not be deceived” God doesn’t tempt with evil, and He is the giver of all good gifts, and he is never changing. d. 1:22 “Be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Into thinking you are spiritual. e. 1:26 If you think you’re spiritual and you don’t control your tongue you are deceiving yourself. f. 2:1-13 Don’t deceive yourself, favoritism is a sin and only sharing the gospel with certain people is favoritism. g. 2:14 Don’t deceive yourself into thinking you are going to Heaven just cause you say you are. h. 2:15-26 Don’t be deceived, if you have no works to back up your faith, your faith is useless to you and the world around you.

4. James 3 There seems to be two reoccurring themes that have been running through this letter so far. 2) It seems that James is also focusing on how and why “having respect to persons is wrong.” a. 1:9-10 the amount of money holds no bearing on your “worth” b. 1:12 It doesn’t matter who you are, you will be tempted and tested. c. 1:19 It doesn’t matter who you are, you need to be a fast listener and a slow speaker. d. 1:26 It doesn’t matter who you are, if you can’t bridle your tongue your religion is in vain. e. 2:1 It is wrong to hold the gospel hostage from “certain people.”

5. James 3:1 There is a warning given to all Christians. Specifically (exegetically) be “careful” to be “teachers.” -There is a stricter judgment. -What is the stricter judgment all about? LOOK AT THE CONTEXT BEFORE MAKING ASSUMPTIONS! -The word “stricter” points to an increased responsibility for teachers. -However it does not release anyone from their own responsibility.

6. James 3:2 Why is this verse here? What is the word “for?” -A separating word OR -A linking word? “We all stumble in many ways.” -We all = Everybody is included. -Many ways = We may not all have the exact same sin issues. “Nobody’s perfect.”

7. James 3:2 Our present day world-view: Tolerance is required because everybody is basically good. The Biblical world-view: Tolerance is required because everybody is basically bad. This seems to be the focal point of the reasoning behind the statement in verse 1. -It helps us to see what the caution concerning being a teacher is all about. -This is a continuation of condemning favoritism and at the same time includes a caution against legalism and hypocrisy.

8. James 3:3-12 Verses 3-12 The Grandfather of all illustrations

9. James 3:3-6 -Horses have bits -Ships have rudders -People have tongues -Huge forests burn down from a little fire. -They are all very small & very influential!

10. James 3:7-10 The untameable tongue. Man has tamed every kind of animal on the earth but the tongue is out of control Take a look at the deadly poison of the tongue. 1) With our tongue we bless God 2) With our tongue we curse men a. That are made in God’s image This shouldn’t be happening!!!

11. James 3:11-12 We truly are made with a free will. -Unlike the rest of nature we can do something we weren’t created to do! -We are freaks of the “natural” kingdom! The tongue truly is a restless evil, full of deadly poison and though it can’t be tamed, it must be caged.

12. Conclusions Nobody’s perfect (especially when it comes to the tongue). -You are judged stricter when you take on the role of a teacher. - Perhaps it could be applied to us all as well. -Be careful before you instruct somone else from God’s word. It just might be better if you didn’t. -Maybe your life doesn’t match your speech. -Maybe your speech doesn’t match your advice. -No matter who you are, before you tell others what the Bible says about how to clean up their life, make sure you are reigning in your own tongue and striving to live as you should. Bottom line – don’t hold others to a standard of perfection that you do not hold yourself to. Cross ref. Matthew 7:3-5

13. Challenges 1) Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that just anyone can be a “teacher” of God’s word. 2) Whether you are an official teacher or not, you must focus on “caging in” your tongue or it will consume your testimony.