TOPIC:
HOW CHRISTIANS LIVE IN PEACE
Memory Verse:
The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy, (James 3:17 KJV).
BIBLE TEXT: JAMES 3
CENTRAL TRUTH:
Christlike words and attitudes promote peace.
INTRODUCTION
James devotes an entire chapter to controlling the tongue. When we consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:34, we see why the tongue is given such extensive treatment. Our hearts determine what comes out from our tongue. The tongue can be used as a weapon to harm and destroy or as a tool to build and heal. What kind of impact do your words have?
How we handle the tongue is a great indicator of our hearts before God.
Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will break our hearts. It's no wonder, then, that our words sometimes get us into trouble. Controlling them is no small task. Yet God’s Word gives us a number of principles we can use to help ensure that our speech brings peace--not destruction--to our relationships with others. Our tongues are windows into our spiritual lives, whether we are aware of it or not. Therefore, James gives us even more reason to seek to control our tongues. A controlled tongue is not only proof of true saving faith, but it is also proof of spiritual maturity. Peace is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and for us to live in peace as believers, we must tame our tongue.
LESSON OUTLINE
1. BY RECOGNIZING THE TONGUE'S POWER
A. Power For Good - James 3:1-4
B. Potential For Destruction - James 2:5-6.
2. BY TAMING OUR SPEECH
A. Rely On God - James 3:7-8
B. Be Cleansed Within - James 3:9-12.
3. BY USING WISDOM FROM GOD
A. Wisdom Of The World - James 3:13-16
B. Wisdom From Heaven - James 3:17-18.
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COMMENTARY AND APPLICATION
1. By Recognising the Tongue's Power
A. Power for Good– James 3:1-4
The Book of James is known as a general letter because it was intended for more than just a single church. Rather, it was circulated among Jewish Christians outside of Palestine to offer encouragement and address errors in teaching. As such, the book confronts a number of important issues facing Christians.
Nowhere is this more evident than in these verses. The improper desire for status and power was a potential problem in the Early Church. Some believers may have thought to obtain it through the teaching office. James' words remind believers that teaching is no small responsibility, and ought not to be taken lightly (James 3:1).
Question for Application
Why is it important to view teaching as a serious responsibility?
The teaching role revolves around the use of words. If properly spoken and rooted in biblical truth, these words have the power to guide others more deeply into that truth.
Yet, because they're so easily misused, words also present great challenges. James emphasised that the tongue is the hardest part of the body to control. So the person who aspires to use words for a task as important as teaching must be prepared to withstand the greater judgement that comes with the office (verse 1).
Question for Application
What are the benefits of controlling our tongues?
Our words affect our lives in many ways-our walk with God, our friendships, our careers, and our relationships with loved ones. James noted that a person who never sinned with his or her words would be perfect in every other way too (verse 2). So the ability to use our words for good can have a positive effect on every area of life. Like a horse's bit or a ship's rudder, the tongue is small, yet its influence far exceeds its size (verses 3,4).
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B. Potential for Destruction– James 3:5,6:
While the tongue has the power to accomplish much good, too often it has the opposite effect. It's interesting that James described the tongue as capable of boasting great things (James 3:5). Boasting is evil when it's rooted in self-reliance instead of expressing trust in God.
Our speech holds the potential for serious destruction if our words aren't guided by God.
James used the example of a forest fire to describe the destructive capability of speech (verse 5). We probably have seen news coverage of huge fires bringing death and destruction to everything in their path. Often these disasters are caused by a cigarette or a campfire.
Question for Application
How is the tongue like a fire? What makes it so destructive?
While it has the power to bring guidance, the tongue often causes devastation. That's why James called it a fire (verse 6).
Usually it's easy to start a fire if you have the fuel and the ignition. When fires get going, they're hard to control, and their devastation is impossible to ignore. The same can be said of our words. Relationships end over words we speak that cause fights, bitterness, and grudges. Words are capable of leading a person into sin. Good or bad, words often flow freely from one's lips with little thought of consequences. It's no wonder James used words like "evil" and "corrupts" to describe the tongue (verse 6, NIV). We mustn't ignore its potential to destroy our relationships with others, and even our relationship with God.
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2. By Taming Our Speech
A. Rely on God– James 3:7,8
James moved from discussing the tongue's power to dealing with its wild, perverse nature. Since the beginning of creation, God has enabled humanity to subdue every creature on the Earth (James 3:7).
Yet we haven't been able to tame our words (verse 8).
These verses tell us a lot about ourselves, God has allowed us to exercise great power in our world.
Yet, because of the Fall, we lack the power to subdue ourselves. Our words are a prime example of our weakness.
James referred to the tongue as "unruly (verse 8, KJV). The same word is translated "unstable" in 1:8, when James was describing the double minded person. In this sense, the tongue is unpredictable well as capable of great evil. How often might a person think his or her speech is finally under control when, almost unexpectedly, something hurtful or destructive comes out in a moment of frustration? No matter how hard we try in ourselves, our tongues have the potential for doing great harm.
Question for Application
Does this mean our speech cannot be controlled? Explain.
Only God can bring our tongues under control; we lack the power to do so in ourselves. But this will not happen unless we rely on God.
Question for Application
What does it mean to rely on God to tame the tongue?
This involves consistent prayer and reliance on the Spirit. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, our words can consistently please God and uplift others.
Also, Scripture provides a number of principles to help us know what God wants us to say, when to say it, and when the best choice is to say nothing at all.
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B. Be Cleansed Within– James 3:9-12*
Question for Application
Why is it inconsistent when both blessing for God and cursing toward others comes from our mouths?
There's a sense in which cursing others is akin to cursing God. Even though humanity is marred by sin, we are still made in God's image (James 3:9). It's hypocritical to voice love toward God while slandering those He loves who have been made in His image. James condemned such speech (verse 10).
One might be tempted to conclude that, because the tongue is so powerful yet uncontrollable, we're not fully responsible for what comes out of our mouths. James made it clear that we can't blame genetics, upbringing, or the crowd for destructive speech. Our words come
from within us, and we alone are accountable for them.
A Christian's speech must be consistent with his or her faith. Just as a well can't bring forth both good and bad water, our words consistently are to be kind and godly not mingled with corrupt talk (verse 11). Christians with ungodly speech are as much a contradiction as a tree bearing two different kinds of fruit (verse 12).
Question for Application
How can a person overcome destructive speech habits?
Our speech is a reflection of who we are inside. Taming it takes more
than practising self-discipline or establishing good habits. We need to be cleansed within by the Holy Spirit. Only then can we be changed into what He wants us to be. So new speech begins with a new life in Christ (see Colossians 3:9,10).
Then we must choose daily to walk in that life, rejecting attitudes and choices that lead to destructive speech and actions.
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3. By Using Wisdom from God
A. Wisdom of the World– James 3:13-16
Being children of God changes Our values and Our motivations. The things we once thought wise have become foolish, and vice versa. James highlighted one aspect of this in chapter 3, as it applies to our relationships with others. He began with a description of earthly wisdom.
James began by declaring that true wisdom is shown through godly, humble actions (verse 13). James had in view a person who deliberately goes out to serve God through good works, but does so humbly. In contrast, earthly wisdom is seen in selfish ambition, strife, and envy (verse 14). Envy and strife indicate that this so-called wisdom is not from God (verse 15). Rather, it is "earthly," the opposite of spiritual; sensual," from humanity's fallen nature, not from the new nature given by God: and "devilish, or demonic, either demon inspired or Similar to the way a demon would think or act. This wisdom does not produce godly believers. It produces disorder, confusion, and
ungodliness.
Some scholars believe James was confronting a specific problem here. Namely, some in the Church were proudly touting their wisdom and knowledge as they defended their beliefs. They wanted to use the position of teacher to exert power. As a result, their words became bitter and divisive. James exposed them.
Their ambitions, no matter how "noble" they may have appeared, were rooted in evil desires. As such, they would bring only disorder and ungodliness to the Church.
It's impossible to follow the example of Christ while focusing on ourselves and our desires. Humility, compassion, and selflessness are a contrast to earthly values. They will go far in building and restoring relationships.
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B. Wisdom from– James 3:17-48
Relationships based on earthly wisdom are often in turmoil because they lack one basic quality--peace. James places heavenly wisdom in stark contrast with earthly wisdom (James 3:17,18).
It's impossible be at peace with others when we're considering only ourselves. When we seek godly peace, we can create an environment where the qualities James listed will flourish. Following is a brief overview of each quality.
-- Pure:
The absence of all sinful motives.
– Peaceable (KJV), peace- loving (NIV):
When conflict occurs, earthly wisdom may seek revenge; heavenly wisdom seeks reconciliation.
– Gentle (KJV), considerate (NIV):
Thinking of others even when they've wronged us.
– Easy to be treated (KJV), submissive (NIV):
Heavenly wisdom rejects selfishness, choosing instead to yield to others.
– Full of mercy and good fruits (KJV), merciful and fruitful (NIV):
Together, these describe compassion in action.
– Without partiality (KJV), impartial (NIV):
Godly wisdom does not discriminate. We should treat everyone with fairness.
– Without hypocrisy (KJV), sincere (NIV):
We must be truthful even when it means admitting our own wrongs.
Question for Application
How can we apply heavenly wisdom to our words ?
James declared that pursuing this kind of peace will lead to the "fruit of righteousness"
(verse 18, KJV). This will be reflected in words that build others up and glorify God. The application of heavenly wisdom preserves relationships and glorifies God.
Unbelievers will take notice when selfishness and anger are replaced by peace and sincere love.
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Call to Discipleship
The tongue possesses incredible power- especially for the Christian. With our words we can bring godly peace to the worst situation, exhibiting peace in the fiercest storm. Or by our words, we can express attitudes that Scarcely resemble the faith we embrace. As you face challenges and frustrations this week, think about your words before you speak. Are they the right words? Ask God for the wisdom and strength to speak only what glorifies Him and builds others up.
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Ministry in Action
Read James 3:17 again. When our words embody these traits, unbelievers will take notice. As we meet every situation with grace and peace rather than strife, our testimonies will gain greater power and influence. Memorise Psalm 19:14; Psalm 141:3; and Ephesians 4:29 this week. Use these verses to guide your prayers that your tongue will always give evidence of what God has done in your heart.