The Pressure of Words

1. The Pressure of Words September 22

2. Be Honest, Now … • If you could hear a tape recording of everything you said last week, what would you want to edit out? • Maybe you remember your parents saying “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all” • Today we look at how what we say needs to be more carefully controlled

3. Listen for small physical objects that control larger objects. James 3:1-8 (NIV) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. [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. [3] When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. [4] Or take ships

4. Listen for small physical objects that control larger objects. 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 to go. [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. [6] The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole

5. Listen for small physical objects that control larger objects. person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. [7] All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, [8] but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

6. Power of Words • What are the small physical objects that have control over larger things? • How did James describe the hurtful things the tongue can do? • What does it mean to “control” something (for example a radio controlled model airplane)? • Why are the things we say hard to control?

7. Power of Words • How can words act like fire or poison? • How is our speech influenced by others around us? • Consider the practice of chewing gum … What is the role of the tongue as you chew gum?

8. Power of Words • Maybe there are some parallels between gum chewing and tongue mastery!

9. Listen for descriptions of inconsistencies. James 3:9-12 (NIV) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. [10] Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. [11] Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? [12] My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

10. Inconsistent Words • What illustrations from nature did James use to condemn cursing? • How do inconsistencies show up in what we verbalize? • Why do we tend to remember negative words more than positive words?

11. Inconsistent Words • Consider the word sins of criticism, gossip, and arguing. What should we do which are the opposite … things we say which result in praise and blessing, not evil and cursing? • Instead of criticism? • Instead of gossip ? • Instead of arguing ?

12. Listen for how to identify a truly wise person. James 3:13-18 (NIV) Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [14] But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [15] Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

13. Listen for how to identify a truly wise person. [16] For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. [17] But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [18] Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

14. Wisdom and Words • According to this passage, how can a person demonstrate wisdom and understanding? • What common attitudes do we need to avoid boasting about? • What is wrong with the “wisdom” of a selfish and bitter person?

15. Wisdom and Words • What are the qualities of the wisdom that comes from heaven? • How would our words demonstrate heavenly wisdom? • What life experiences increase our heavenly wisdom?

16. Application • Consider the role of a teacher you play … as a parent or grandparent, as a mentor in the workplace • James said your influence means a higher standard of accountability • Allow God to control your words to make you a positive influence

17. Application • God expects consistency in the words of a believer. • You cannot be blessing God on one occasion and making cutting remarks other times • What you say and how you say it this week will either support or negate the reality of your Christian testimony

18. Application • Heavenly wisdom has more to do with godly conduct than it does knowledge and intelligence • Avoid the earthly wisdom which is self-serving, factious, and hostile • Allow heavenly wisdom to show in your speech in the coming week… pure, authentic, peaceful, righteous

19. The Pressure of Words September 22