Welcome to episode 37 of Grasp the Bible.  In this episode, we continue our study in the Book of James, covering chapter 3.  The series is called “Having a faith that works.”  Today, we discuss our use of speech and cover: 

• The importance of the tongue (vv. 1-2) 
• The illustrations of the tongue (vv. 3-5) 
• The incorrigibility of the tongue (vv. 7-8) 
• The inconsistency of the tongue (vv. 9-12) 
• Instructions for the tongue (vv. 13-18) 

Key takeaways: 

• Genuine religion should exert a controlling influence over a person’s tongue. 
• Those who teach will be judged more strictly than those who listen. The reason for this is that the teacher’s essential instrument—the tongue which is so easily misused, has great influence. 
• Just as the horse needs a guide, and the rudder needs a pilot, so our tongues need the Lord to control them.  Our problem is that the wrong captain is in control of our tongues. 
• There are few sins people commit in which the tongue is not involved. 
• People who would never think about setting fire to their neighbor’s house can and do commit spiritual arson when they slander and gossip about others! 
• Praising God and cursing men is tantamount to praising and cursing the same person, for in v. 9 James describes man as “made in God’s likeness.” 

Quotable: 

Your speech reflects what you are thinking and who you are. Evil speech comes from an evil heart, and the tongue is the mouthpiece of the heart. 

Application: 

• The kind of person you are determines the kinds of things you will say to others.  The fruit will flow out of the kind of tree that produces it. 
• You will never be able to control your tongue until you change your heart. 
• God’s people also are to be marked by consideration of others, not insisting on their rights according to the letter of the law, but exercising love’s leniency instead. 

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