James 3James 3

Faith at work is powerful!

Power to control the powerful tongue, 3:1-12

Power to chose and use wisdom from above, 3:13-18

James 3

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To be a responsible teacher, 3:1

God chose teaching to spread truth and save lost, 1 Cor 1:21 Parents teach children, Eph 6:4 Older women teach younger, Titus 2:3-4 Elders, evangelists and teachers,

Eph 4:11-12

Faith Tames the Tongue

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Teachers must have the faith to control

their words, Prov 10:19; 17:27 (Acts 6:8-10) To speak the word of God, 1 Pet 4:11 To speak the truth in love, Eph 4:15 To speak truth and reason, Acts 26:25 To speak gracious words, Col 4:6 Speech that cannot be condemned, Titus 2:6-8

Faith Tames the Tongue

5Stricter Judgment (2:12)

Maturity, 3:2; Prov 21:23 Understanding, 3:3-6

Power, 3:3-4 (Prov 13:3) Potential, 3:5-6 (Prov 12:17-22)

Consistency, Jas 3:7-12 Tame it to bless God and man, 3:7-9; Matt 5:

43-44; Psa 39:1; 34:13 It is faithless to bless and curse, 3:10-12; Matt

12:33-37

Tongue Control: Constant Work James 3:2-12

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Tongue control is heart control,

Matt 12:34 Faith at work speaks the truth, Eph 4:25 Faith at work refuses profanity and

corrupt speech, Eph 4:29 Faith at work is committed to being a

blessing whenever it speaks, Eph 4:29; Col 4:6

Tongue Control: Constant Work James 3:2-12

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Words and conduct will show, 3:13

Prov 12:15; 9:10 (Meekness of wisdom, 3:13) Earthly wisdom is faithless, 3:13-16

Boisterous and prideful, 3:13 Bitter, envious, selfishly ambitious, 3:14 Earthly, fleshly and devilish, 3:15 Outcome is confusion and evil, 3:16

Who is Wise and Understanding?

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Words and conduct will show, 3:13

Prov 12:15; 9:10 (Meekness of wisdom, 3:13) Wisdom from above is full of faith, 3:17-18

-Understanding (hearing) heart, 1 Kgs 3:9-12 Pure: Free of contamination, 1:5; Prv 2:10-15 Peaceable: Removes strife, 3:16; Rom 12:18;

Heb 12:14 Gentle: Fair, moderate, Titus 3:1-2

Who isWise and Understanding?

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Words and conduct will show, 3:13

Prov 12:15; 9:10 (Meekness of wisdom, 3:13) Wisdom from above is full of faith, 3:17-18

Full of mercy and good fruits: Goodwill bears good fruit, cf. 2:13

Without partiality: Equitable, Jas 2:1 Without hypocrisy: Deceit, 1 Pet 2:1

Who isWise and Understanding?

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The wise (and the foolish) are known

by their fruit, Jas 3:18 Fruit of righteousness…Peace

Note: Peace is “made”, not merely wished! Matt 5:9

Who isWise and Understanding?

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Faithful person knows the great

power of the tongue to build up, strengthen, make peace and save

Faithless person uses the tongue selfishly to tear down and cause great destruction

Use Your Tongue Wisely

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