James, Session 7: Taming the Tongue

James

Read the passage: James 3:1-12 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

  1. How powerful are words? Why?

Read James 3:1-12

  1. Considering the passage as a whole,
    • When James talks about the tongue, what is he really addressing?
    • What illustrations of the tongue’s power, or influence, does he use?
  2. Considering v1, what might motivate someone to become a teacher within the church?
    • Why might God judge those who teach with greater strictness?
    • Should that deter you from teaching the gospel to others?
  3. Look at v2-4: Why does control of the tongue have implications for self-control in other areas of our lives?
    • How easy do you find it to control your speech? Are there any specific times/places you find it harder?
  4. Look at v5-6. How might the tongue do damage far beyond its size?
    • Fires can quickly get out of control and spread. How and why might what we say with our tongues behave similarly?
    • What would it look like for an ‘entire course of life’ to be set on fire by the tongue?
    • How is the tongue set on fire by hell?
    • How would you group/categorise sinful patterns of speech?
  5. Look at v8. In what way is the tongue a ‘restless evil’? And what has this got to do with taming wild animals?
    • James combines ‘restless evil’ with ‘full of deadly poison’. What animal does this suggest and why might James be making that suggestion?
  6. In v9-10, what inconsistency is James highlighting?
    • How might you bless God and curse others?
    • Does the way you speak differ according to different situations you find yourself in? Does that matter?
  7. According to v11-12, what is James suggesting is the underlying problem for our tongues?
    • Read Matthew 15:10-20 – what does Jesus say about where the problem lies and what’s the solution?
    • How can you get control of your tongue?
  8. How have words had an impact on your life or those close to you – for good or bad?
    • Have your words had a positive or negative impact on others? Can you give any examples?
    • If you had to summarise for someone, why does our speech matter?

Recap & Reflect

  • What is your biggest takeaway message from this passage? In what ways do you need to implement change in how you use your tongue? Pray for the Holy Spirit to purify and transform your speech from the inside-out.
  • Can you remember a time, or times, when you have hurt someone with your words?
  • Take a moment to reflect on and pray about the situation. Consider apologising to the person this week and asking for forgiveness.

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or a helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

  1. Considering the passage as a whole,
    • When James talks about the tongue, what is he really addressing?
      He’s addressing not the organ itself, the little muscle we call ‘the tongue’, but how we use it: the words we say and the power of them – our conversation and what lies behind it.
  2. Considering v1, what might motivate someone to become a teacher within the church?
    Someone may desire to become a teacher in the church because they feel called by God, and equipped by him to teach, or because they see a need and think that, in the absence of anyone else stepping forward, they should at least try to fill that need. These are noble and good reasons. Less good reasons are the desire for a position or a platform, or a desire to impose one’s own beliefs on a congregation and change the position or direction of a church to better fit their own beliefs.
    • Why might God judge those who teach with greater strictness?
      Someone who teaches is claiming that they know the truth. If they then fail to live by it, while requiring others to, they are doubly guilty; Because to instruct others about God is a serious thing – get it wrong and the impact on others’ lives can be great. They are judged with greater strictness because the possibility for harm is greater.
  3. Look at v2-4: Why does control of the tongue have implications for self-control in other areas of our lives?
    Jesus said that what we say is an overflow of what the heart thinks or feels. Thus, if we are gaining control of our speech it’s likely that is because things are beginning to come into right order in our hearts: we want to honour and glorify God, not just ‘fly off the handle’ or criticise others out of a self-love.
  4. Look at v5-6. How might the tongue do damage far beyond its size?
    • What would it look like for an ‘entire course of life’ to be set on fire by the tongue?
      How we speak and what we say can have a profound impact on our relationships and friendship circles, our ability to work in teams or hold down a job etc. Thus, the course of our life can be very negatively impacted by a failure to gain control of our tongues.
    • How is the tongue set on fire by hell?
      In as much as the way we think or view the world, or what we value is influenced negatively by evil/ungodly sources, so what comes out of the heart – our speech – will be similarly influenced by ‘hell’.
    • How would you group/categorise sinful patterns of speech?
      For example: Untruths; boasting; verbal assaults on others; swearing; false promises; gossip etc
  1. According to v11-12, what is James suggesting is the underlying problem for our tongues?
    The problem is the spring and the type of tree – in other words, our hearts. What we say is the overflow of our hearts.
    • How can you get control of your tongue?
      Awareness, repentance; address the heart; prayer; growth in fruits of the Spirit

Download the complete study: Bible study on James (PDF)

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