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Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a

Throughout James, we have seen how faith can and should be applied practically to our everyday lives. So far, James has mainly focused on how are actions can be perceived as proof of our faith in Christ. Have you ever heard the term, Actions speak louder than words? However, this isnt as true as it sounds. Mother Teresa once said, Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness. Words can be as important in displaying our faith in Christ as actions can. In James 3, he continues this discussion by focusing on our words rather than our actions.

1. v.1 | James begins by calling out those who choose to teach. Why
would James address teachers first? Read Hebrews 13:17-18. What does he mean by we who teach will be judged with greater strictness?

2. v.1-2 | James states that all stumble, but if they dont they are
perfect. Is anyone perfect? What is he saying (in v.2) about those seeking to be teachers verses those who should be teachers? How do we strive for perfection in our words?

3. v.3-6 | What kind of effects to these verses imply our words can
have? What does each illustration teach us about the effect, positive and negative, that our words have on others?

4. v.5b-6 | Fire is one of the most dangerous and destructive elements

on the planet. Why does James focus so much more on fire than the other illustrations? What specific effect is James worried about and what is the source of this fire?

grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

5. v.7-8 | If no human can being can tame the tongue, what has been
the point of this chapter? Should we try? If a fiery tongue is like poison, 1) how do you keep from being poisoned and 2) what is the antidote if you already have been?

6. v.9-12 | Most people have a tendency to be contradictory in nature.

We say one thing to one person and something else to another. How is this doubly dangerous in our spiritual lives? How does this affect our calling in James 1:18?

7. What are some examples of ways the tongue can be deceptive?

How does this affect our ministry? What ways can we guard against this, in our personal discipline and in our church community?