2 The Epistle of James

3 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast James 3:1-12 – Taming the Tongue ● This passage can be read on different levels ● Most seem to pass quickly over v1-2, in favor of the more lurid illustrations in v3-12 ● But these sections may be more connected than we realize

4 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast More Learners, Fewer Teachers? ● James 3:1-2 --Not many should presume to be teachers KJV (King James Version) translates this as “masters”, which is an anachronism (cf. schoolmaster) The Greek word is “didaskalos”, teacher – It is also translated as master many other places in the NT, at least in the KJV “Presume” in the NIV (New International Version) is, well, presumed from the context – The Greek is just “become” – Presumably, nobody at all should presume to be a teacher

5 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast ● Because teachers will be judged more strictly Why would this be? Why are leaders held to a higher standard? Consider Moses – Number 20:10 He was excluded from the Promised Land, for losing his temper ● Teachers will be judged more strictly because of their influence on others Jesus taught this principle Matthew 18:6 – Causing one of the little ones to sin Matthew 23:13 -- “Woe to you, teachers of the law...”

6 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast The Perfect Teacher: ● One who is never at fault in what he says ● This is a very high standard!

7 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast The Untamable Tongue ● First, some illustrations -- v3-6 A horses bit A ship's rudder ● These are small compared to what they steer But they steer most effectively ● Likewise the tongue -- v5-6 It is a small part of the body But it can to terrible, life-lasting damage Like a single spark can start a forest fire

8 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast Continuing with the Tongue, and What We Say with It ● We can tame all kinds of animals – v7 ● But not the tongue – v8 ● Incongruities (things that don't line up) – v9-12 We praise God in our speech But curse men This is like two kinds of water from one spring Or the wrong kind of fruit from a tree or a vine

9 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast ● Jesus also taught about what we say: Matthew 5:22 -- “You fool!” Matthew 12:36-37 – Every idle word ● As did the Apostle Paul: Romans 1:29-30 – Gossip and slander are listed in the acts of total depravity

10 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast What We Say Is Not A New Problem ● Proverbs 12:18, 13:3, and many others ● Isaiah 6:5, 59:3

11 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast If the Tongue is Full of Poison, What is the Antidote? ● We can just say “words are just words” “Sticks and stones...” If you believe that, go to Harlem (New York) and say certain words

12 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast ● You Can Take a Vow of Silence

13 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast ● You can get one of these:

14 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast ● As Isaiah said, we are a people of unclean lips Popular entertainment media have coarsened our speech As has the Internet ● Our words are impure at many levels ● Words are more than just sounds ● Words are symbols ● This is especially true in the Bible (Some) words are eternal “Heaven and earth shall pass away...”

15 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast So, if Our Words are Impure ● Words come from the heart So, we need a new heart – Ezekiel 36:26 ● We need to be changed by the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2, NIV

16 James Part 5 – Taming the Beast Tying It Together ● A single perfect teacher, without fault in speech Steers a whole congregation toward God ● A single evil teacher, with a tongue of fire from hell Steers a whole congregation into destruction