WATCH YOUR MOUTH (or BEING SLOW TO SPEAK)
James 3:1-18
As taught by guest geek, Preston Hancock
I. vs. 1-2 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Teaching?
A. This pursuit of being a teacher was common as the early church began (3:13; 1 Tim. 1:3-7).
B. Being a teacher is based on spiritual gifting (Rom. 12:7), is a role in the church (Eph. 4:11), and comes with a price tag (vs.1- "greater judgment". "krima"- value neutral word, good or bad.)
1. For we all sing (2:10), yet teachers are held to a higher standard because the tongue is extremely difficult to control. There is a direct link between our speech and our "whole body" involvement in sin (James 1:29; 2:12; Prov. 10:19; 13:3; 18:7).
C. Conclusion: Being mature in the faith doesn't necessarily mean being a teacher- it's godliness.
II. vs. 309 Key Thought: The Power Of Speech
A. vs. 3-5 Despite it's small size, the tongue can direct the course of a life (Ecc. 5:2-6; Rom. 16:17-18; 1Pet. 3:10)
B. vs. 6 Not only does the tongue direct a life, it can destroy it and others around (Ps. 55:21; 64:2-6; Prov. 26:23-28).
C. vs. 7-9 The tongue cannot be tamed by man, only by God's Spirit in the believer (Gal. 5:22-23; Tit. 2:11-14).
D. Conclusion: We must direct our speech towards godliness and lean on the power of the Spirit to do so!
III. vs. 10-12 Key Thought: The Source Of Our Troubles With Speech
A. The tongue is a mechanism for expressing the darkness in our hearts (Luke 6:34).
B. In a beliver's life, our speech is often inconsistent, "this should not be" (Matt. 10:18-20; Mk. 12:30-31; 2 Cor. 4:16; James 9-10).
C. Conclusion: We seek to allow the Lord to truly change us on the inside, while watching to see that we don't fight him on the outside!
IV. vs. 13-17 Key Thought: the Goal of Maturity- Godly Wisdom
A. To be a true influencer for Christ, we seek to apply what we teach before we teach it (Ez. 7:10; Prov. 27:2).
1. It is a life to be led in gentleness and humility- a willing submission of strength to the Lord's authority in our lives. Gentleness is the middle ground between stubborn defiance and spineless disengagement.
B. Christians may engage in earthly, fleshly wisdom which is born out of a selfish zeal or a posturing for personal power (Tit. 1:10-11).
1. This "wisdom" comes from holding onto envy and selfish ambition as a motivational force.
a.If you struggle with these feelings, do not brag about your "successes" or "triumphs" nor deny the selfishness of your motivations (the tongue leading in a wrong direction). In doing so you will deny the life-changing truth of the gospel and your growth in Christ will be stunted.
2. This "wisdom" has nothing to do with the Father, and in fact reflects the attitudes of demons. (Phil. 3:19; Tit. 3:9-11).
3. This "wisdom" always results in disorder and disruptions in personal relationships and in congregations (Luke 21:9).
C. The wisdom the Spirit leads us into is free from selfish motivation, being the right words for the moment. These words are conveyed so that your thoughts and feelings are expressed (genuine), yet others are respected (peace-loving, considerate, full of mercy), all options and perspectives are considered (impartial), and the proper order is maintained (submissive).
D. Conclusion: As we submit ourselves to the Spirit, watching our speech and depending on his power to change us, we guard our heart motivations and seek wisdom from above.
