1. Your tongue: tool or task-master?
James 3:2-18
Your tongue: tool or task-master?

2. 2 We all stumble in many ways
2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great
James 3:2-18

3. boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark
boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:2-18

4. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
James 3:2-18

5. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deedsdone in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:2-18

6. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:2-18

7. Life and death are in the power of the tongue
Proverbs 18:21

8. Life and death are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruit
Proverbs 18:21

9. 1 Pet 3:10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
Prov 21:23 Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
James 3:2-18

10. Matthew 12:34 For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks
Matt 15:18 But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.
James 3:2-18

11. James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
James 3:2-18

12. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:2-18

13. 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
@ Being Aware
James 3:2-18

14. 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry
4:11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another.
5:8-9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged.
@ Being Aware
James 3:2-18

15. 5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.”
4: Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”... Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
@ Being Aware
James 3:2-18

16. @ Being In Control James 3:2-18
1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Matt 12:36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.
@ Being In Control
James 3:2-18

17. @ Being In Control James 3:2-18
3:3-5  When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
@ Being In Control
James 3:2-18

18. @ Being In Control James 3:2-18
Eph 4:29 – do not LET any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths
Col 4:6 – LET your conversation be always full of grace
Prov 15:4 – When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable,  but the prudent hold their tongues.
@ Being In Control
James 3:2-18

19. @ Being In Control James 3:2-18
3:5-6 Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
@ Being In Control
James 3:2-18

20. A wise man has long ears, big eyes, and a short tongue
A wise man has long ears, big eyes, and a short tongue. (Russian Proverb)
Prov 17:27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Prov 14:3 In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will protect them. Prov 13:3 Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
@ Being Wise
James 3:2-18

21. 3: But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
@ Being Wise
James 3:2-18

22. 3:7-10  All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 
@ Being Humble
James 3:2-18

23. 3:8,10 8 but no human being can tame the tongue
3:8,10  8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison…
10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 
3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
@ Being Humble
James 3:2-18

24. 3:2 We all stumble in many ways
3:2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
1:21 get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
@ Being Humble
James 3:2-18

25. 4:6-10 But he gives us more grace
4:6-10 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud     but shows favor to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come near to God and he will come near to you .Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
@ Being Humble
James 3:2-18

26. My mouth is a gauge on my health
John 7:3-5 Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” 5 For even his own brothers did not believe in him.
James 3:2-18
My mouth is a gauge on my health