1. Taming the Raging Fire Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, March 16, 2014 Studies in James, Part 6

2. James 3:1-12 1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.

3. James 3:1-12 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.

4. James 3:1-12 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

5. Bad Speech What forms of bad speech is the writer concerned about? What forms do you tend to be concerned about? Have you ever been hurt by someone’s words? Have you hurt others with yours?

6. Scripture and Speech “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19) The list in Romans 3 that demonstrates that people need saving from God

7. Scripture and Speech “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart” (Luke 6:45). “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15)

8. Ancient Wisdom “A man who has truly mastered the utterances of Jesus will also be able to apprehend His silence, and thus reach full spiritual maturity, so that his own words have the force of actions and his silences the significance of speech” Ignatius of Antioch (martyred c. AD 107), Letter to the Ephesians, Apostolic Fathers Collection

9. Ancient Wisdom “The ruler should be discreet in keeping silence and profitable in speech, lest he utter what should be kept secret, or keep secret what should be uttered. For just as incautious speech leads men into error, so, too, unseasonable silence leaves in error those who might have been instructed” St. Gregory the Great (Pope from 590 to 604), Pastoral Care, Book 2, Chapter 4

10. More from Gregory Ringing bell Lecherous use of words

11. Preach the Gospel at all times... “Woe to that religious who does not keep in his heart the good things the Lord reveals to him and who does not manifest them to others by his actions, but rather seeks to make such good things known by his words. He thereby receives his reward while those who listen to him carry away but little fruit” St. Francis of Assisi (1181/2-1226)

12. Remember context “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (James 2:26) possible that Ch. 3 starts a new subject also possible that it flows from the end of Ch. 2... If so, learning to control and prune our speech is an appropriate work that grows from our faith

13. Another image

14. Why not learn to Prophesy? Speaking on behalf of another Exchanging one sort of fire for another