The Letter of James
Lesson 6
James 3:1-12
1. Read James 3:1-2. Why should we hesitate before we presume to be teachers? Consider
Matthew 12:33-37 and the verse below.
“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the
one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” (Luke 12:48b)
2. Why would the person who “is never at fault in what he says” be considered “perfect?”1
(3:2b)
3. Verse 2 says, “We all stumble (go wrong, or sin) in many ways.” What various ways do we
“stumble” in what we say? (For example, hasty and angry speech – 1:19.)2
Application: Identify the specific ways that you tend to “stumble” in what you say.
4. Read James 3:3-5. How is the tongue3 like a horse’s bit or a ship’s rudder?4
Bit
5. How is the tongue like a “small spark?” (For example, think of gossip and angry
speech.)5
1
“perfect” – mature and complete in moral character (1:4)
Hasty speech (listen before you speak); angry words; gossip (talking about others, rumors – reports without a
discernable source, or basis for truthfulness); lies or deceitful speech; boasting; insulting, destructive or critical
speech; ridicule; insensitive or brash speech; profanity; sharing confidential information; taunting; sarcasm;
quarreling; complaining; grumbling; course joking; disrespectful speech; immoral speech; others?.
3
“tongue” – organ or instrument of speech
4
Both are very small but are use to direct something large. Of course, a person is needed to control the bridle & bit
of the horse, and the rudder of the ship. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but is very powerful. If a
person can control the tongue, he or she will move in the proper direction, even when faced with “strong winds.”
5
The tongue is small, but the impact of wrong words can spread quickly and cause great harm. Also, once it spreads,
it is almost impossible to control. Someone has said, “Man is the master of the unspoken word, which once spoken
is the master of him.”
2
Jay Lester, HIS International
The Letter of James
Lesson 6
6. Read James 3:6. Summarize the teaching of verse 6 in your own words. What does the
tongue reveal in our lives? 6 What is the tongue’s potential? What are examples of the
tongue’s potential?
Application: What words have you said that caused problems? What were the consequences
of the words? Why did you say them? Were your motivations good or bad?
7. Read James 3:7-8. Why is it so hard to control the tongue? If “no man can tame the tongue,”
how can it brought under control? What specific actions do we need to take? 7
Application: What specific actions do you need to take to better control your tongue?
8. Read James 3:9-12. Why is it inconsistent to praise
(bless) God and then curse or verbally abuse other
people? How does James depict the idea of doubleness
(1:8) with respect to the tongue?
Fig Tree
Olives
Jesus said, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate
you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27-28; cf.
Romans 12:14)
9. How does the quality of water flowing from a spring relate to the character of the source
itself? Likewise, how does the fruit of a tree help us determine what kind of tree it is? How
do these analogies apply to us in the use of our tongues? (See Matthew 15:11, 18 and Luke
6:44a, 45 on the next page.)
Application: Read and consider the verses on the following page. This week, examine the things
you say in light of the Scriptures. What do your words reveal about you? Controlling the tongue
is very important, but effective control begins in the heart. Submit your heart to God, and
commit to use your tongue for good rather than bad. Reflect on Colossians 3:15-17.
6
The tongue reveals an opposition to God, which corrupts our whole lives. The tongue reveals the “worldliness” in
us, that is, a system of thought and action that is opposed to God. This includes pride, selfish ambition, and other
forms of self-centeredness. The ultimate source of this evil is hell, with Satan as chief. Like a fire, the tongue has
great potential to do damage. (On the other hand, the tongue also has great potential to do good.)
7
The tongue is hard to control because of our tendency to sin. The Christian has been saved from the controlling
power of sin, but still battles the tendency to sin. It is impossible to control the tongue on our own, but God can help
us control it. What must we do to allow God to control it? The transforming power of God is available in Christ, so
the first step is to receive Christ as Savior and Lord. We must submit ourselves to God, realizing our need of him.
We must spend time in His word and prayer. We must encourage one another.
Jay Lester, HIS International
The Letter of James
Lesson 6
God’s Word Concerning Our Words
Jesus said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for
every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your
words you will condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37, NIV)
Jesus said, “What goes into a man’s mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out
of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean’ … the things that come out of the mouth
come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ ” (Matthew 15:11, 18; read 15:16-20)
Jesus said, “Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. … The good man brings good things out
of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up
in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:44a, 45, NIV)
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.
(Proverbs 10:18-19, NIV)
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
(Proverbs 12:18-19, NIV)
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)
A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.
(Proverbs 16:27-28, NIV)
A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his undoing, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
(Proverbs 18:6-7, NIV)
Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down.
As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
(Proverbs 26:20-21, NIV)
A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (Proverbs 26:28, NIV)
David prayed, “Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
(Psalm 141:3, NIV)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for
building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (Ephesians
4:29, NIV)
Jay Lester, HIS International