"THE EPISTLE OF JAMES"
Chapter Three
OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THE CHAPTER
1) To appreciate the power and danger of the tongue
2) To understand the difference between heavenly wisdom, and that which
is earthly, sensual, and demonic
SUMMARY
James begins this chapter with a caution against many becoming
teachers. In view of the stricter judgment that awaits teachers, one
should be sure they possess the maturity and self-control necessary to
control the tongue. James then provides a series of illustrations to
demonstrate the power and danger of the tongue, and how we can easily
be inconsistent in our use of it (1-12).
Perhaps some sought to be teachers so as to appear wise. Yet James
writes that wisdom and understanding are to be shown by one's conduct,
done in meekness. He then defines and contrasts the difference between
two kinds of wisdom. There is wisdom which is earthly that causes
confusion and every evil thing. On the other hand, there is wisdom
which is heavenly that produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness
(13-18).
OUTLINE
I. TRUE RELIGION CONTROLS THE TONGUE (1-12)
A. A CAUTION AGAINST BECOMING TEACHERS (1-2)
1. Teachers shall receive a stricter judgment
2. Maturity and self-control are required not to stumble in word
B. THE POWER OF THE TONGUE (3-4)
1. Like a bit which controls the horse
2. Like a small rudder which directs the ship
C. THE DANGER OF THE TONGUE (5-6)
1. A little member which boasts great things
2. Like a little fire which kindles a great forest fire
3. Indeed, the tongue can be a fire, a world of iniquity
a. Capable of defiling the whole body
b. Capable of setting on fire the course of nature, being set
on fire by hell
D. THE DIFFICULTY OF TAMING THE TONGUE (7-12)
1. Man can control creatures of land and sea, but not the tongue
2. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison
3. With it we bless God, and then curse man made in His image
a. Thus blessing and cursing proceed from the same mouth
b. Something which should not be so
1) For no spring sends forth both fresh and salt water
2) Neither does a fig tree bear olives, nor a grapevine
bear figs
II. TRUE RELIGION DISPLAYS HEAVENLY WISDOM (13-18)
A. THE TRUE DISPLAY OF WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING (13)
1. To be seen in one's conduct
2. With works done in meekness
B. THE DISPLAY OF EARTHLY WISDOM (14-16)
1. Full of bitter envy, self-seeking, boasting and lying
2. A wisdom not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic
3. Producing confusion and every evil thing
C. THE DISPLAY OF HEAVENLY WISDOM (17-18)
1. Wisdom from above is first pure, then it is...
a. Peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good
fruits
b. Without partiality and without hypocrisy
2. The fruit of righteousness is produced by peacemakers who sow
in peace
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER
1) What are the main points of this chapter?
- True religion controls the tongue (1-12)
- True religion displays heavenly wisdom (13-18)
2) Why does James caution against many becoming teachers? (1)
- Teachers shall receive a stricter judgment
3) What is one indication of maturity and self-control? (2)
- The ability to bridle the tongue
4) What two illustrations does James use to show the power of the
tongue? (3-4)
- Like a bit which controls the horse
- Like a rudder which controls the ship
5) What illustration is used to show the danger of the tongue? (5)
- Like a small fire which kindles a large forest fire
6) How does James describe the tongue? (6-8)
- A fire, a world of iniquity
- Set among our members that it defiles the whole body
- Sets on fire the course of nature, being set on fire by hell
- That which no man can tame
- An unruly evil, full of deadly poison
7) What example does James use to show how the tongue is often misused?
(9-10)
- Blessing God and cursing man who is made in His image
8) What illustrations does James provide to show the incongruity of
such speech? (11-12)
- A spring does not send forth both fresh and salt (bitter) water
- A fig tree does not bear olives, nor a grapevine bear figs
9) How is the wise and understanding person to manifest himself? (13)
- By good conduct done in meekness
10) What characterizes wisdom that does not descend from above? (14)
- Bitter envy and self-seeking, boasting and lying against the truth
11) What is the source of such wisdom? (15)
- It is earthly, sensual, and demonic
12) What exists when there is envy and self-seeking? (16)
- Confusion and every evil thing
13) What are the qualities of wisdom that is from above? (17)
- It is first pure
- Then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good
fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy
14) Who produces the fruit of righteousness? (18)
- Peacemakers who sow in peace
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