The TongueThe Tongue James 3:1-12

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8

but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background Those who are Masters (Teachers) are held to a

stricter standard. The Greek word for teacher is Didaskaloi meaning master. It has a Rabbinical slant so let’s give some background on what a Rabbi is. As part of Jewish custom, some Rabbi’s were itinerant meaning that they often traveled around teaching. They would gather disciples who would pay a fee in order to study under that particular teacher. Paul makes mention of the fact that He studied at the feet of Gamaliel (see Acts 22:3) & John the Baptist had disciples as well (see Luke 7:18-20). Jesus of course was an itinerant Rabbi and also had disciples (see Matthew 4:18-22) and still has disciples today.

To Teach or Not to TeachTo Teach or Not to Teach

We are ALL called to make disciples. Matthew 28:19-20

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

To Teach or Not to TeachTo Teach or Not to Teach How do we make disciples? The answer is given by Jesus

Jesus said follow me Mark 1:17

17And Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

Principles for disciple making Live with Live among Speak to people

Be honest especially about mistakes (see James 3:2)James 3:2

2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

What about the tongueWhat about the tongue

What about the tongueWhat about the tongue What about the tongue? James gives us a few examples… Horses…

James 3:33 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

Bits are used in conjunction w/a bridle & a reign on horses. Bits are used for the express purpose of communication with the horse.

What about the tongueWhat about the tongue Boats…

James 3:44Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

What about the tongueWhat about the tongue Fire & Poison

James 3:5-95 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

What about the tongueWhat about the tongue Blessing & cursing

James 3:10-1210 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

 Key PointsSprings don’t simultaneously produce fresh & salt waterFig Trees don’t produce olivesGrapevines don’t produce figsPonds don’t produce fresh water

QuestionsQuestions Who’s “Teacher” are you? What have you been teaching them through

observation (non-verbal)? What have you been teaching them through

speaking (verbal communication)? In what ways have you sinned with your tongue? In what ways have you been sinned against? Consider this statement: “From the same mouth

come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so..”