James 3 - Lesson

James 3 – Lesson

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

• “The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.” – James 3:5.

This will be our focus verse for today’s lesson as we look at the power of the tongue and why, as Christians, we must choose our words carefully.

Just as large ships are steered by small rutters and powerful horses are controlled by small bits placed in their mouths, our mouths may be small, but the words that come out of them can have a powerful impact on the lives of others.  

THE DANGER OF WORDS

The impact of words can last for years, or in some cases, a lifetime.

Consider the following question:

• Has anyone ever said something to you that hurt you so badly that you still remember what they said?  Or the way they made you feel?

Maybe it still hurts?     

Our words are powerful, and if we use them the wrong way, they can leave scars that last a lifetime!   

James wrote about this in the following two verses:

1. “Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” – James 1:19,
2. “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.” – James 3:8-10.

All of us are responsible for the words that come out of our mouths, and we will be held accountable for them on the Day of Judgment.

For this reason, we must choose our words very carefully.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT THE POWER OF WORDS

The Bible has a lot to say about the power of words. 

For today’s lesson, we have highlighted the following four verses:

1. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” - Proverbs 18:21,
2. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29,
3. “There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” - Proverbs 12:18,
4. “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Mathew 12:36.

OUR WORDS IMPACT OTHERS

What we say matters! 

God understands this.

Every time that we interact with another person is an opportunity for us to do four things:

1. Encourage them,
2. Serve them,
3. Show them compassion,
4. And glorify God.

The opposite is also true. 

If we do not choose our words carefully, or say them for the right reasons, they can often be:

1. Discouraging,
2. Selfish,
3. And judgmental.

This does not help anyone. 

As God’s children, we need to remember that we were created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) to do two things:

1. Glorify God,
2. And serve others.

If we act in love and choose our words carefully, we will produce the fruit of the spirit that the Apostle Paul wrote about in his letter to the Galatians.

• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.  Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.    If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.  Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.” – Galatians 5:22-26.

CONCLUSION

Although the tongue is small, its ability to impact others is great.  

Our words are powerful!  

They can build others up, but they can also tear them down.  

Therefore, we need to choose our words carefully and make sure they are edifying those who hear them.    

All of us are going to give an account to God for the words that we spoke while on Earth.

• “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” - Mathew 12:36.

The stronger our faith becomes, the gentler, and more edifying our words should become.  

We will end today’s lesson with the following three thoughts:

1. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." – Mother Teresa,
2. “Be kind.   We never know what others are going through.” – Germany Kent,
3. “By this, all men will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another.” - John 13:35.