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Power Within. James 3:1-5. Power Within. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words There are also certain words that we hear that gives us a particular vision in our heads If I say food, you might picture a cheeseburger, fried chicken, or pizza What about when I say the word “power”.
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Power Within James 3:1-5
Power Within • They say a picture is worth 1,000 words • There are also certain words that we hear that gives us a particular vision in our heads • If I say food, you might picture a cheeseburger, fried chicken, or pizza • What about when I say the word “power”
Power Within • When we think of power, we often associate “bigger” with “better” • We hear the phrase, “call in the big guns” • James addresses a subject in chapter 3 that seems to be a small matter • However, big things can come in smallpackages
Responsibility (v. 1) • “With great power comes great responsibility” • “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required”(Lk. 12:48) • James says the same about the tongue when it comes to teaching in verse 1
Responsibility (v. 1) • It’s not that James is discouraging anyone from becoming a teacher of the gospel • James just wants us to think about and realize the great burden and responsibility that comes with this task • That weeds out those who aren’t serious about it or not in it for the right reason
Charge (v. 2) • “For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body” • James tells us that it is a difficult task to control the tongue • The one who does is a complete man
Charge (v. 2) • The one who controls his tongue should have no problem controlling the rest of the body • Paul mentioned how important it is to control one’s body (I Cor. 9:27) • We have a charge to control our tongues as well, and here is why…
Power (vs. 3-6) • Even though the tongue is small, it possesses a great deal of power • In fact, the tongue has the potential power to cause more harm and devastation than an Cat 5 Hurricane or US missile • James compares it to bits and rudders…
Power (vs. 3-6) • The tongue, like those 2 things, is also small but capable of great things • Another example is given of how just a small spark or flame can ignite and burn an entire forest • One little misspoken word can do so much damage
Power (vs. 3-6) • The tongue has so much power for damage that it is called it’s own little world of iniquity • Just like when an axel gets hot and heats up the entire wheel, one evil word spoken can affect the rest of the person • “set on fire by hell (Gehenna)”
Control (vs. 7-8) • We have a responsibility to control our tongues • James says we can control large animals, but we cannot tame the little tongue • Since the tongue is “full of deadlypoison” we have a responsibility to control it
Control (vs. 7-8) • James already told us in 1:26 that if we do not control our tongue that our “religion” is useless • If we want to have a goodlife we should keep from speaking evil (I Pet. 3:10) • “He who guards his mouth preserves his life” (Prov. 13:3)
Control (vs. 7-8) • Remember it stems from the heart • “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” (Matt. 12:35) • “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (v. 37)
Purpose (vs. 9-12) • James finally explains that there should be a purpose to our words • Our tongue was not created to curse men, rather to praise God • The tongue should be used to do good things, such as give praise, encouragement and help
Purpose (vs. 9-12) • “A wordfitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11) • “…the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Prov. 12:18) • “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Prov. 18:21)
Purpose (vs. 9-12) • “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29) • “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one”(Col. 4:6)