CONTROL YOUR SPEECH

BY THE END OF THE LESSON, WE WILL:

REVIEW James' teachings regarding the power of the tongue; CONFESS our inability and shortcomings in governing our thoughts and verbal expressions; and COMMIT to changing in order to better please God. 

FOCAL VERSES James 3:1-12

KEEP IN MIND

"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be (James 3:10). 

AT-A-GLANCE

1. Discipline of the Tongue (James 3:1-4)

2. Destructiveness of the Tongue (vv. 5-6)

3. Defiance of the Tongue (vv. 7-8)

4. Duplicity of the Tongue (vv. 9-12)

IN FOCUS STORY

Rashanna sat at the lunch table but didn't touch any of the meal in front of her. Her co-workers Kristine, C.J., and Shirley were recounting the BIG event in the accounting department. That morning, one of the other employees, Lauren, was called into a closed door meeting with her boss. It became clear that Lauren had been fired when she came out of her supervisor's office in tears. She hastily gathered her personal belongings from her desk and left the building without speaking to anyone. Now at lunch, Kristine, C.J., and Shirley were sharing the office gossip about what really happened.

Kristine was speculating that Lauren's termination involved an "office romance." Rashanna was puzzled. Before today, Lauren had simply been a quiet co-worker. Now that something terrible had happened, she was the object of ugly office gossip and speculation. Rashanna decided....

In today's lesson, we will learn that failure to bridle our tongues can cause great destruction and undermine our witness for Christ. 

THE PEOPLE, PLACES, and TIMES

The Book of James. Although there are four men named James mentioned in the New Testament, many scholars agree that the writer of the New Testament book is most probably the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3), also referred to as James the Just. Interestingly, James did not initially believe his brother's messianic claims (John 7:5), but it appears his conversion occurred following Jesus' Resurrection appearances (1 Corinthians 15:7). Once convinced, James fully embraced Christianity and became one of the leaders of the early church in Jerusalem. 

James described his audience as "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1). From this we may reasonably conclude that what James teaches is applicable to all Christians. He was probably addressing the Jewish Christians who had fled persecution and were now living abroad in other countries. Acts 11:19 provides a description of how the Christians, who were persecuted in connection with Stephen. fled as far Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch. These exiled Christians quickly found themselves impoverished (James 5:1),  victims of lawsuits (2:4-6), and oppressed by wealthy landlords (5:4). James encouraged the believers to continue to grow in their new faith, insisting that they not share their loyalty. They must either choose God or the world. James taught that their Christianity stemmed from a genuine wisdom. He also emphasized that good actions will naturally flow from a Spirit-filled life. 

Written in about A.D. 45, the book of James is probably the oldest book of the New Testament. According to the historian Josephus, James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62. 

BACKGROUND

During the time of this writing, religious leaders were no longer ignoring the new Christian church. Although they were still a part of Judaism, Christians were now being singled out, and the persecution of Christians had begun in earnest. Two other men named James mentioned in the New Testament (the apostle identified as the son of Zebedee and the brother of John, and the apostle identified as the son of Alphaeus) had been martyred. Similarly, Stephen had been stoned to death for his faith. In this increasingly hostile and dangerous atmosphere, it is not surprising that many Christian were abandoning the faith.

Internal strife was also taking place within the church. Christians were dealing with doctrinal arguments false teachers, power struggles, gossip and slander. The Christians were being encouraged to pursue self-fulfillment. During this time, many philosophers believed and taught the importance of knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Very little importance was placed on putting knowledge into practice. They mistakenly taught that the way to spiritual enlightenment was through knowledge. James wrote to combat this mind-set. Faith, not knowledge is key. Our faith is rooted in our hearts; it is faith that transforms us into "doers." Man, James insisted, must seek to attain the will of God. Only then can he bring about a change in his life and in the life of the church. 

The remaining apostles, as they had been instructed to do, were off on missionary efforts. It was left to James, as leader of the Jerusalem church, to encourage the Christians and to provide much needed instruction to sustain them during this period. of persecution. Like the excellent pastor he was, James taught the believers to keep their eyes on Christ, not their situation, and to continue to live lived that reflected Jesus

Christ and His teachings. 

SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES

1. How does James tell us that teachers will be judged (James 3:1)? Does this only refer to Bible teachers and licensed ministers?

2. The ability to control one's tongue is a sign of what (v. 2)?

3. In what ways does James say our lives are controlled by what we say (vv. 3-5)?

4. How does James describe the tongue (vv. 6-8)?

DISCUSS THE MEANING

1. James used three metaphors for the tongue: a horse's bit, a ship's rudder, and fire. Why do you think he emphasizes the example of fire so much more then the other two?

2. James 3 identifies at least five things the tongue is or is able to do (vv. 6, 8). Identify those and determine the best way to avoid engaging in each.

3. In the In Focus story, Rashanna must make decision. What is her next move and why? Support your answer with Scripture if possible. 

LESSONS IN OUR SOCIETY

In a society that craves celebrity gossip, welcome offensive tweets, and ignores bullying by social media, what is our Christian responsibility to control our tongues? Does the book of James (or other Bible passages) also compel us to speak out against injustice-locally, nationally, or globally-caused by the words of others?

MAKE IT HAPPEN

1. What a wonderful gift speech is. Christians have the ability to exhort, coach, and build up other believers through our speech. Similarly, our words provide the vehicle to lovingly counsel the lost and to soothe and console the suffering and bereaved. This gift of speech is most perfectly employed when we speak words of truth and witness to other of God's plan of salvation. Given Holy Ghost at work in our lives, what would cause us to use speech negatively?

2. Many Christians would never imagine causing someone physical harm. Yet this is exactly what we do when we say thoughtless, careless, and unkind things to or about others. We verbally murder the character and reputations of others when our speech is unrestrained. Each day offers us a challenge to not only walk in the will and with way of our Lord, but also to speak in ways that glorify Him and encourage others. What plan can you create to bridle your tongue on a daily basis? What triggers should you avoid in order to keep the plan?

(Except from The Apostolic Light Pentecostal Assemblies of the World)