Bible Study Notes (02/15/22) James 3:1-12 - Full Of Poison

James – Gospel Motivated Love
Full of Poison
Passage: James 3:1-12
Human nature causes us to downplay the power of our words. "Sticks and stones" can often be less harmful than a first full of words punch to the heart. Every human, at some point in their life, watches the disaster of careless or vindictive words. How we speak to one another matters more than we give credence.
Matt. 12:36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
Matt. 12:37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words, you will be condemned."
We may downplay the use of our tongue, but God does not. We love to compare our righteousness. As long as we don't do one of the big ones (murder, adultery, etc.), we assume God is pleased with us. If we were to only be judged upon the words we chose to use or not use, we would be guilty and sentenced to death by the Judge of the universe.
Most families today are recked by the use of words. We all know the right combination of words to masterfully slice a loved one's heart in two. We use words as weapons to either give payback or as a means of manipulation. We have all wielded the power of this little body member.
James 3:3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
James 3:4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
James 3:5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
QUESTION: Why do you think words can be so painful?
James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
James 3:8, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Matt. 12:34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
QUESTION: Why does it feel impossible at times to control our words?
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QUESTION: What do our words reveal about our true desires?
James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
James uses several illustrations to make an important application. You can't pull two different substances from the same source. They don't mix. If you say you have faith but are unwilling to see the damage your words are causing, your faith is dead. How we speak to each other within the church matters. It reflects our new heart and our new relationship within God's family. One cannot say they love God and then turn and be spiteful to their family member. James is exposing the selfish desires of their heart and showing them how far their actions are from what they should be showing.
QUESTION: Reflecting on James' illustrations, what should we conclude to be his point of application?
James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
James 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
Our words should reflect the same grace and mercy we have received. As we look to what Christ has given us in the Gospel, we find the motivation to love others with our words.

QUESTION: What did this section of James expose to you about your own heart?

PRAISE, PRAYER, AND CONFESSION:
What can you offer to the Father in praise? What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?
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