james 3:1-12

James 3:1-12 James 3:1-12

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its

Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its

mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire,

mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire,

for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters,

for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters,

this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

Insert “Sticks and Stones” here

The Book of James talks about the ______ more than any other place in the Bible!

The Book of James talks about the ______ more than any other place in the Bible!mouthmouth

James 3:2“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

James 3:2“We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

The Book of James talks about the ______ more than any other place in the Bible!

The Book of James talks about the ______ more than any other place in the Bible!mouthmouth

James is saying if you can keep ___________________, you are _______!

James is saying if you can keep ___________________, you are _______!control of your mouthcontrol of your mouthperfectperfect

‘Perfect’ means: _______, _______‘Perfect’ means: _______, _______maturemature healthyhealthy

James Gives 3 Reasons Why We Should Manage Our Mouths!


#1.#1. Your tongue ________________ ___.Your tongue ________________ ___.

directs where you directs where you gogo

James 3: 3-4“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants it to go.”

James 3: 3-4“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants it to go.”





“We shape our words and then our words shape us!”“We shape our words and then our words shape us!”

Fact:Fact: If you do not like where If you do not like where you are going then ______ _________! you are going then ______ _________!

changechangedirectionsdirections





#2.#2. Your tongue can ___________ ________.Your tongue can ___________ ________.

destroy what destroy what you haveyou have

James 3:5“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

James 3:5“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

Proverbs 18:20(Good News Bible)

“You have to live with the consequences of everything you say.”

Proverbs 18:20(Good News Bible)

“You have to live with the consequences of everything you say.”

James 3:6“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

James 3:6“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

Proverbs 21:23“If you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say”

Proverbs 21:23“If you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say”

James 3: 7-8“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

James 3: 7-8“All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”







#3.#3. Your tongue _______________ ____.Your tongue _______________ ____.

displays who you displays who you areare







#3.#3. Your tongue _______________ ____.Your tongue _______________ ____.

displays who you displays who you areareYour words _________________ ____Your words _________________ ____

Reveal who you Reveal who you areare

James 3:9“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

James 3:9“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.”

James 3: 11-12“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

James 3: 11-12“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.”

What Is The Answer?What Is The Answer?

The problem is not really my ______, but my _____!The problem is not really my ______, but my _____!tonguetongue heartheart

Matthew 12:34“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

Matthew 12:34“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”


#1.#1. Get a new _____Get a new _____heartheart


Ezekiel 18:31“Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit.”

Ezekiel 18:31“Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit.”




2 Corinthians 5:17“Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creation, the old has passed away. Behold all things become new.”

2 Corinthians 5:17“Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creation, the old has passed away. Behold all things become new.”

Psalm 51 Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost

and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts ; you teach me wisdom in the inmost

place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

and sinners will turn back to you. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem. Then there will be righteous

sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.

sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.



Psalm 141:3“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Psalm 141:3“Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.”

#2.#2. Ask God ________Ask God ________for helpfor help

“The proof that God’s Spirit is in your life is not that you can speak in an unknown tongue, but that you can control the tongue you do know.”

“The proof that God’s Spirit is in your life is not that you can speak in an unknown tongue, but that you can control the tongue you do know.”

Sidlow BaxterSidlow Baxter

Philippians 4:8“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

Philippians 4:8“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”



James 1:19“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

James 1:19“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”


#3.#3. Think before you ______Think before you ______speakspeak

Be slow to become angryBe slow to become angry





Look at the order:Look at the order:

1.1. ____________________________________Be quick to listenBe quick to listen

2.2. ____________________________________Be slow to speakBe slow to speak

3.3. ____________________________________________

The only way to get __________ __________ is to let Jesus Christ get __________________

The only way to get __________ __________ is to let Jesus Christ get __________________





James is saying:James is saying:

control ofcontrol ofyour tongueyour tongue

control of your heartcontrol of your heart

Ephesians 4: 29-32 Ephesians 4: 29-32

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be

kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.





This message is for every single person because the tongue is a _______________.

This message is for every single person because the tongue is a _______________.universal problemuniversal problem

james 3:1-12

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