Another old Sunday School Lesson from Lifeway! Enjoy:

The Point: Fuel your words with wisdom and gentleness.

Question: When does your big mouth get you into trouble?


The Passage:
James 3:1-8
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits into the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body; and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea is tame, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Destructive words come in many forms: profane words, hateful words, angry words, mean words, negative words, sarcastic words, dishonest words. Some yell and scream to release their words. Others use polished, polite, and calm words to inject the same venom with a smile.

In writing "if any man offend not in words, the same is a perfect man," James stressed the difficulty in controlling our speech. He pointed out the reality that the tongue is the most difficult part of our bodies to control. Although its size is small, its impact is large.

Verse 8 does not say the tongue cannot be tamed. Rather, James declares that no person can tame it. While no man can tame the tongue, there is one who can. The Lord is capable of controlling a lying, blaspheming, slanderous, gossiping tongue, even as He can deliver the drunk from alcohol, the gambler from the table, the addict from drugs, and the lustful person from adultery. Yet, I have witnessed in the lives of many converts that it was much easier to forsake these things than was to get victory over a wicked tongue. Thus we must transfer control to the Holy Spirit.

The horse doesn't put a bit in its own mouth. The rider puts the bit in and controls the whole horse. The rudder drives the ship, but the captain controls the rudder. When we are controlled by the Spirit of God, our speech will reflect that control. If we do not consistently control our speech, what does that indicate about our relationship with God? This is not to say that we'll always speak perfectly, but since our speech does reflect our hearts, we should strive daily to be the people God has called us to be (Matt. 5:4 cool .

If we're going to fuel our words with wisdom and gentleness, we must realize that our words can either be blessings or curses. When our words are restless and unruly, they are unstable; they can explode at any time; they can release a world of iniquity and hurt.

QUESTION: How have you seen words act like fire or poison?

Consider the ways James described our words. Words are like "fire, a world of iniquity". They burn and destroy--you can't control or reverse the damage they do. James described the effects as impacting the whole course of life. the idea is that of a wheel or circle of physical effects, a series of events involving repeated patterns. words can impact all of life.

A fire starts in one room, but it consumes the whole house. Consider how our words can consume our children, other family members, or those we influence. Our own bad habits with words cause the way they use words to set more fires. The flames spread like a forest fire out of control.


Words are like poison. Poison brings death, just like a venomous snakebite. some people have a bite that is just as bad. It doesn't kill physically, but it does bring death to another person's joy, peace, confidence, hope, love, or desire. Yet when we fuel our words with wisdom and gentleness, God is honored and people are encouraged. We have the choice to bless or curse

QUESTION: Why do we tend to remember negative words more than positive words?

James 3:9-12
9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Expecting a negative answer to his question in verse 11, James used the examples of a fountain, a fig tree and a vine to indicate that our speech can be inconsistent. With the same tongue we make praise God or curse people. Words reveal our character and flow out of our relationship with God.

Words can bring us closer to God or defile us. They may stain and ruin us. No matter how much good we do, our speech can ruin it; words can destroy a reputation and defile our Christian witness. Venting with profanity and anger may make you feel better for a brief moment, but it makes you look worse for a very long time. This type of speech is inconsistent with the indwelling Christ.

QUESTION: How do our words define who we are?

James 3:13-18
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James point out that our words and deed reveal our character. James also contrasts worldly wisdom with wisdom from above. Verse 18 shows us the connection between peace, peacemakers, and righteousness. Fuel your words with wisdom and gentleness. What changes would you need to make so that people would see you as a peacemaker?

So how to we avoid the pressure of just letting our mouths run amok? We can't do it on our own. We need the power and wisdom of God in our lives. Consider these three principles in light of what James 3: 3-18 says:

1. Recognize when your speech is not right...and repent
2. Invite God to clean your heart . The mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart. You need "heart surgery", which happens when you let God operate on you, purifying and changing you.
3. Determine to speak wisely . Ask yourself before you speak:
-Will my words give grace? "The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious" (Eccl. 10:12a)
- Will my words bring healing? "The tongue of the wise is health: (Prov. 12:18b)
- Will my words promote life? "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21a).

QUESTION: How has your life been changed by wise and gentle words?

That's it! Hope you enjoyed it

Best Regards,


Ohana