But that shouldn’t distract preachers from the clear, strong, timely emphasis on the importance of considering the effects of what we say. A small rudder turns a large ship. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. James 3:2-6 (1977-78) The following text is taken from a sermon preached by Gil Rugh, Senior Pastor at Indian Hills Community Church in Lincoln, NE. Each issue contains 3 short ideas from James Clear, 2 quotes from other people, and 1 question for you. A person's words reflect his character and thus are a key to his whole being. i. James may well have been familiar with this picture from common experience in daily life. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. An extended reflection on the power that teachers hold because of the might and danger of words, this passage compares the power of words to the destruction and proliferation of a fiery blaze. James's call for good works, therefore, must not be seen as expecting perfection. Whoever can control the tongue can bridle the whole body (James 3:2). The 3-2-1 Newsletter is one of the most popular newsletters in the world. The former theme was reflected in several passages of the Book of Proverbs. This Sunday’s passage involves one of the more peculiar passages in the New Testament. Two themes common to the Jewish Wisdom Literature are presented in James 3:1-18, namely, the abuses of the tongue in verses 1-12 and the practical expression of wisdom in verses 13-17. [See for example Abraham (Genesis 26:24), Moses (Joshua 1:1), David (Psalm 36:1).] I reckon that the tongue is a reflection of who we are, it’s the outward manifestation of the inner person. The tongue is like the bit in the mouth of a horse. Commentary on James 3:1-12 View Bible Text . James, like them, lived to serve God and the people of God. James starts, however, with a warning about taking on the title of "teacher." There is an exception in Christ but there is no exception among fallen men. To James it was an honour to make himself a slave, and to belong to God and to the *Lord Jesus. The *Scripture calls some of the great people in *Israel’s history slaves or servants of God. James includes himself in the word “all.” The idea is all without exception. Not many should strive to be teachers, James instructs, because the office is rife with temptations. Over 1,000,000 people subscribe. James 3:2 NIV: We all stumble in many ways. Sin is anything that comes short of God’s absolute character. Not many Christians should aspire to be labelled as teachers, James writes. James emphasizes the importance of good works but also acknowledges that all Christians stumble (a metaphor for sinning; ...) in many ways. “The sense is simply that since speech is the hardest faculty to control it is there that one first observes ‘the world’ in a person’s heart” (Peter Davids, New International Greek Testament Commentary on James [Eerdmans], p.142). Even so, if we have control over our tongue it is an indication that we have control over our self. These are: (1) the bit, James 3:3; (2) the rudder, James 3:4, and (3) the small fire, James 3:6. What you are will come in out in the things you say. As James notes in this very chapter, this does not mean perfection (James 3:2), but it does mean our deeds and words should reflect our faith in God. James 3:1-12 speaks to these realities in a vivid way. The text has been edited and condensed by IHCC staff for use as a Bible Study aid. James 3:2 Commentary: in what he says. 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