James 3: 3-11
3 [a]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [b]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [c]nature; and it is set on fire by [d]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [e]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
In chapter 2 of the book of James, the author teaches us that if we're genuinely saved our faith will result in good works.
If we're to grow in our faith:
1. We need to pay careful attention and check every word we speak.
And words are created by the help of the tongue. Words are associated with the tongue and this is why James used this as an illustration to drive his point, and also how words formed in tongue affects the way we live, tongue may be a small part of the bod, but it can affect our eternal destiny.
James used different illustrations to show how a small part can affect the whole thing.
1. Bits of the horses. (verse 3)
2. The rudder of a ship (verse 4)
3. The tongue from the body (verse 5)
4. Forest fires from a single spark (verse 5)
2. A genuine believer saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is a new creature and live a life as it should. Born again in the spirit.
James used illustration that shows great contrast to prove his point:
1. Same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing.
2. Same spring opening, runs both fresh and bitter water.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
3 [a]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of [b]iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of [c]nature; and it is set on fire by [d]hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the [e]similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
In chapter 2 of the book of James, the author teaches us that if we're genuinely saved our faith will result in good works.
If we're to grow in our faith:
1. We need to pay careful attention and check every word we speak.
And words are created by the help of the tongue. Words are associated with the tongue and this is why James used this as an illustration to drive his point, and also how words formed in tongue affects the way we live, tongue may be a small part of the bod, but it can affect our eternal destiny.
James used different illustrations to show how a small part can affect the whole thing.
1. Bits of the horses. (verse 3)
2. The rudder of a ship (verse 4)
3. The tongue from the body (verse 5)
4. Forest fires from a single spark (verse 5)
2. A genuine believer saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ is a new creature and live a life as it should. Born again in the spirit.
James used illustration that shows great contrast to prove his point:
1. Same mouth proceeds blessing and cursing.
2. Same spring opening, runs both fresh and bitter water.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God;
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Ephesians 4:24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
