James 3 – 4:1-12

To impress upon us the importance of controlled speech and the consequences of our words, James gives us six pictures of the tongue; the bit, the rudder, fire, a poisonous animal, a fountain, and a fig tree. These can be placed into three classifications that reveal the powers of the tongue.

• The power to direct (James 3:1-4)
  • The bit
    • The bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse
  • The rudder
    • The rudder must overcome the fierce power of the wind
  • Each of these though relatively small has a great influence of control and have great effect
    • Runaway horse
    • Shipwreck
    • The statement of a judge – guilty or not guilty
    • The statement of a leader
• The power to destroy (James 3:5-8)
  • Fire
    • Has the potential for great good or devastating harm
      • Provide warmth
      • Destroy homes
  • Poisonous animal
    • Can be tamed, but not the tongue
• The power to delight (James 3:9-12)
  • The fountain
    • Water can be a source of great blessing or great devastation
  • The fig tree
    • Has an intended purpose
    • It is only useful if it fulfills its purpose
  • Twelve words have the power to change a situation
    • Please
    • Thank you
    • I’m sorry
    • I love you
    • I’ll pray for you
• Get wisdom (James 3:13-18)
  • Wisdom was very important to Jewish people to whom James was writing
    • Knowledge is not enough
    • Wisdom was essential to use knowledge correctly
    • “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.” Proverbs 4:7
  • The contrast in its origin (James 3:13-15)
    • Man’s wisdom
      • Tower of Babel
      • King Saul’s armor on David
      • Disciples dismissing the crowd when Jesus offers food
      • Authorities leaving port when Paul warns of storms
    • Wisdom from God (James 3:17-18)
  • The contrast in operation
    • Evidence of false wisdom (James 3:14)
      • Envy
      • Boasting
      • Strife
      • Deceit
    • Evidence of true Spiritual wisdom (James 3:17)
      • Purity
      • Considerate
      • Merciful
      • Fair
      • Peace-loving
      • Submissive
      • Good
      • True
    • The contrast in outcomes (James 3:16-18)
      • The world’s wisdom
        • Disorder
        • Evil
      • God’s wisdom
        • Peace
        • Righteousness
        • “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding.” Proverbs 3:13
  • Be a peacemaker (James 4:1-12)
    • We are challenged to be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker
    • The reason for conflict
      • The lust of man
      • Neglect of prayer
      • Prayer with the wrong motive
      • Friendship with the ways of the world
    • The way of the peacemaker
      • Yield to God, not the devil
      • Seek God’s ways
      • Do not be a judge