Oh, the power of the tongue!
Like a little rudder can steer a whole ship,
or a tiny bit, a whole horse, so the tongue steers our whole life!
Watch this video inspired by Sara Grove’s song: “It’s Me.”
Well it came & caught us off our guard
We were just laughin’
Feelin’ alright
Had such a great time just last night
We walked into a minefield undetected
You took a tone
I took offense
Anger replacing all common sense
Oh, run for your life
All tenderness is gone
In the blink of an eye
All goodwill has withdrawn
We mark out our paces
And stare out from our faces
Baby, you & I are gone, gone, gone
Incomprehensible, layers of isolation
Now you’re the man with a heart of stone
Making me pay by being alone
Soon you will justify righteous indignation
Now I’m a woman who holds all her pain
Looking for somebody else to blame
CHORUS
We hold all the keys to our undoing
Cutting me down in small degrees
You know my worst insecurities
I’m making no effort to understand
No one can hurt you like I can
Deep down inside the girl’s waking up
She’s going to look to the boy she loves
It’s me
Oh, baby, it’s me
Hmmmmmm
How in the world can tenderness be gone – in the blink of an eye?
Ohh, how in the world can tenderness be gone – in the blink of an eye?
But though the tongue can set a forest ablaze,
it can also bless, heal, and bring life. How?
We must partner with God, “ridding ourselves of all evil and…
From that will come beautiful fruit. For as Jesus said:
Word Document of Lesson 4 James
Thursday: Review and Introduction
ICE-BREAKER FOR SMALL GROUPS:
Jesus says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. What are your most frequent topics of conversation?
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12.
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Review:
A. To whom is James writing?
B. What is his goal for believers?
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to?
*D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like?
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.”
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story?
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
Friday: Hazards of the Tongue
Watch up through her saying “We go from the hazards of the tongue to the hopeless of the tongue.” (Shortly after her story of the disabled man pushing buttons on their car.)
4. Teaching and Finding Teachers
A. Why is teaching more a responsibility than a privilege?
*B. She said, “the learning has to show up in the teacher.” She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally 🙂 How can this help you be discerning about your teachers?
5. The disproportionate power of tongue (James 3:2-5)
*A. Alec Motyer: “It is not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in it self the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts?
B. She told a story of a two-year-old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two-year-old’s tongue? 🙂
C. Other comments on this section?
Saturday: Hopelessness of the Tongue: Destroys
Watch up to her changing to “the healing of the tongue” (shortly after being a vegan for three hours story)
6. What does James say the tongue is (not like) in 3:6? And what does it do?
7. John Calvin says “the bite of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you?
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story)
*9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow?
*10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later — I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this?
11. Duplicity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12)
A. She said “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth.” How does James illustrate that with his 3 pictures in this passage?
*B. Doubleness is the fruit, but the root is the heart. Explain.
C. She gave illustrations from Frozen, the Jack Miller Sonship curriculum, and forks over knives. Choose one and comment.
God Hunt Sunday
11. How have you experienced the presence or power of God in the last week?
Monday: Healing of the Tongue
Watch up to the holiness of the tongue (shortly after she tells of her dad’s letter when she was born).
*12. Nothing shows us our hopelessness like our tongue — so we must cry out to Jesus! As we mature in our faith we mature in our need. How have you seen this? Has He shown you new areas of need with your tongue? If so, share.
13. A good teacher makes him or herself vulnerable. How did she do that by describing her home in the last week?
14. The tongue of Jesus
A. His speaking
1) How was James privileged to bear witness to the words of Jesus?
2) What example of Jesus speaking stood out to you in righteousness, authority, or wisdom?
*3) She lost me when she said His words are credited to me. I need help in understanding this. I understand we are cleansed and considered righteous when we trust His payment for us. But I got a bit lost here. So — help!
B. His silence (Isaiah 53: 7) What stood out to you from this?
C. His substitution. “Because of my speaking Jesus was seperated from the Father on the cross.” Explain.
D. His singing. (Zeph 3:17) What was the point of her daddy’s letter when she was born? Do you believe the Lord sings over you?
Tuesday: Holiness of the Tongue
Watch to the end.
*15. Rendered speechless
A. How does Romans 3:10-14 describe us?
B. What happened to Isaiah when he saw the Lord? (Isaiah 6:1-5)
*C. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “We are not a Christian until we have been rendered speechless before God.” Was there a moment this happened to you? Describe it.
D. What else stood out to you from this section? (Up to singing)
16. Our Singing – what stood out to from this section and how might you apply it?
Wednesday: Take-A-Way
17. What is your take-a-way and why?
72 comments
So glad to be back here!
Thursday: Review and Introduction
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12.
Review:
A. A. To whom is James writing?
To believers in Christ who were dispersed or scattered abroad. They are the original recipients.
A pastoral concern for a comprehensive and consistent Christianity. A faith that is both informed and transformed.
A letter for the daily, or the hourly
B. B. What is his goal for believers?
His goal was for each believer to have maturity in the faith, a wholeness of the faith.
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to?
Maturity, wholeness, made perfect to completion.
This is for us to respond not only to trials but to respond to the implanted word in us.
*D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like?
True faith will work. Genuine faith produces fruit through our actions. The doer who does and does not merely says which is false faith.
James is not contrasting faith and works but Genuine faith vs. false faith. There is no true faith without it growing into actions.
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James’ statement “Faith without works is dead.”
We are not saved by our works. We are saved by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He died for us. We fulfill what we were created for “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do..” Ephesians 2:10 As Paige said, “true faith will work”.
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
James went to the areas of true religion (really taking care of the poor, widows, and orphans), speech, and money.
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price Doctor Kit and tongue depressor story?
One of her children used the tongue depressor on Paige, had her open her mouth, and commented, “yep, your foot is sick”. We can look into our mouths/tongues and know everything about us.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
This is the longest sustained passage on the tongue. There is nothing new here. James does it in a condensed way. Proverbs and Jesus talk about the tongue as well.
The word picture of the fire. Especially when she said later that James did not say, “like a fire but the tongue is a fire!” Wow-that is scary! The damage it can do is irretrievable. How often do I need to be reminded of my need for help in this area and pray this prayer: May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing to your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer! Psalm 19: 14
I’ll be you were teacher’s pet, Bing. Wonderful beginning for us!
I was, Dee. and I think it grew the idol of approval in me in retrospect. Now that I am much older, God has been gracious to let me see things from His approval rather than man. The enemy is very wily, indeed.
Beautiful answers, Bing. Love “the tongue is a fire!” so true!
Jesus says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. What are your most frequent topics of conversation?
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12.
Review:
A. To whom is James writing?
B. What is his goal for believers?
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to?
*D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like?
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.”
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
James addresses: Bridling your tongue, Caring for the needy, and keeping yourself unstained by the world.
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story?
The tongue tells everything about us.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
Bridle the tongue and you control the whole body as well. The tongue can quickly reveal our character, our heart. It is not what happens to us, but how we react to what happens. I learned an important lesson in life from my sweet mother. When someone would verbally come unglued, she could sit still and listen and not over react. The older I get, the more I realize that the thing that causes me the most pain in life, are not the words or actions of other against me (though that is terribly painful), but the way I respond to words or actions….and the words I say that I am not able to take back. I have never regretted keeping my tongue quiet, but OH, how I have regretted the words I have said that I cannot take back. You cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. Lord forgive me for the times I have spoken in a way to someone or about someone that is hurtful and bind my tongue so that I do not repeat this offense ever. I truly pray this so much.
I have regretted being silent at times, but not nearly as often as regretting my words. Toothpaste back in tube a good analogy!
Sorry, that my answers were duplicated….I tried to make a correction and it showed up twice.
Jesus says the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. What are your most frequent topics of conversation?
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12.
A. To whom is James writing? To the believers who have been persecuted and scattered.
B. What is his goal for believers? To help them have a wholeness and completeness in their faith;
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to? to a steadfastness unto completion.
*D. What will genuine faith produce? Faith will produce works . What does false faith look like? There is no faith where works (behavior, overflow of love) are not growing out of that faith. False faith does not produce works.
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.” Our love of God causes us to desire to show that love to others; it is the natural overflow; the desire to please Him, not to earn His love.
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
James addresses: Bridling your tongue, Caring for the needy, and keeping yourself unstained by the world.
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story?
The tongue tells everything about us.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
Bridle the tongue and you control the whole body as well. The tongue can quickly reveal our character, our heart. It is not what happens to us, but how we react to what happens. I learned an important lesson in life from my sweet mother. When someone would verbally come unglued, she could sit still and listen and not over react. The older I get, the more I realize that the thing that causes me the most pain in life, are not the words or actions of other against me (though that is terribly painful), but the way I respond to words or actions….and the words I say that I am not able to take back. I have never regretted keeping my tongue quiet, but OH, how I have regretted the words I have said that I cannot take back. You cannot put the toothpaste back in the tube. Lord forgive me for the times I have spoken in a way to someone or about someone that is hurtful and bind my tongue so that I do not repeat this offense ever. I truly pray this so much.
Patti, I am also asking for God to forgive me for a slightly sarcastic response to a lady jokingly criticizing my husband/pastor for forgetting something. It hurts at times when I know he has so many things in mind and somebody nitpicks on him. I know part of this spring from the fact that this lady is quick to criticize but rarely gives encouragement for a job well done. How all our words matter!
WELCOME BACK EVERYONE
Thursday: Review and Introduction
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12.
Review:
A. To whom is James writing? – He is writing to believers in Christ that have been scattered abroad.
B. What is his goal for believers? – How to have a strong faith in Jesus in our daily lives. To have a wholeness in our faith.
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to? – That we will be made perfect in trial.
*D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like? – True faith will work where works are growing
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.” –
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27) – James goes to speech and money. It’s to keep a bridle on our tongue to help the widow and orphan and all the needy and poor and to keep us unstained.
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story? – that our mouth can tell a lot of things about us. You can see everything about us by what we say.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out. – vs 6 the tongue is a fire…This one really stood out to me about how dangerous our tongues are if we don’t control them. We can look all pretty and nice, but what comes out of our mouths will tell the true story about us. I know that fire can ruin everything in it’s path and it can also purify. Our tongues can produce words that encourage or words that tear people down. Words are lasting and are remembered sometimes more than our actions. I think our tongues play a much bigger role than we think they do.
I love your analogy about the fire, Julie! Love this:. I know that fire can ruin everything in it’s path and it can also purify. Our tongues can produce words that encourage or words that tear people down. Words are lasting and are remembered sometimes more than our actions.
So true, Julie! “I think our tongues play a much bigger role than we think they do.”
I forgot to answer E.
E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.” – I would say it is a part of our salvation. But that our faith will make us want to do the work of the Father, we will want to naturally do good things to please him.
Julie — did you mean to say works are a part of our salvation? Just clarifying.
Review:
A. To whom is James writing?
He was writing to the (normal) believers that are scattered abroad.
B. What is his goal for believers?
A letter about the daily, even the hourly; comprehensive Christianity. It goes into the nitty gritty. He wants a maturity in the faith, completeness, wholeness in the faith.
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to?
That you will be made perfect. We are responding to the implanted Word within us.
*D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like?
True faith will work! Don’t just be a hearer, but be a do-er! False faith does not work.
*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.”
No, we are not saved by our works. We are saved by faith, and works are birthed out of true faith.
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead — to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
He goes to the speech and money! Caring for widows and orphans also. Working for the poor, no well-wishing.
*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story?
We can look in our mouths and know everything about us.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
Verse 6 stands out to me.
“And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. ” YouVersion NLT
This is SO true. Just think about how you feel when you have said something you shouldn’t have said. I have actually had a hot flash (and I wasn’t menopausal at the time) because I knew it was wrong! My entire body was affected. That doesn’t even address what the words did to the other person. Ugh! it can definitely have a lasting effect.
The Hot Spirit gives hot flashes!
This from Laura: Just think about how you feel when you have said something you shouldn’t have said. I have actually had a hot flash (and I wasn’t menopausal at the time) because I knew it was wrong! My entire body was affected. That doesn’t even address what the words did to the other person. Ugh! it can definitely have a lasting effect.
Love this too!!
Laura, I know what you meant by hot flashes! I had a funny one: I was telling a group about a presentation on dementia I am working on and then I said something like, “And I forgot to include that in your handout”. Hahaha My face got red and felt hot flashes after I realized what I just said. Well, at least, they all just laughed with me.
Watch up through her saying “We go from the hazards of the tongue to the hopeless of the tongue.” (Shortly after her story of the disabled man pushing buttons on their car.)
4. Teaching and Finding Teachers
A. Why is teaching more a responsibility than a privilege?
No one can avoid saying the wrong things. It is dangerous. Teachers must watch what they say! They will held accountable for their words. We stumble and we need a reminder that our sin is laced through our strengths, not our weaknesses. Judgement is strict. The learning starts with the teacher.
*B. She said, “the learning has to show up in the teacher.” She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally How can this help you be discerning about your teachers?
Personal character is more important than competence. We need to be “real” in the face of our struggles of life. Paige was “flipping out” that she was going to miss her flight. Miss Sally was outside and heard the commotion of Paige trying to get her children in the car so they could get to the airport. Miss Sally wanted to know if all was okay. One of the children said, “Yes! Mommy is going to teach the Bible!”
I am extremely conscientious about my words when I am in front of the class. At one time I thought teens could understand sarcasm. It has taken many years, but I have figured out they DO NOT. In the past, I was more sarcastic than I am today. I realized that sarcasm is negative and boy, do we not need more negative in our lives. I have learned to speak less and be less of the “show” in the classroom. I guess that is what she means by the teacher should be learning. I am concerned today with the younger teachers and those who have a political agenda saying things to children (17 and under) that, to me, harm them. We, the teachers, are in the classroom to teach curriculum. Nothing else. If you are a science teacher, like I am, then you teach science. Math teaches math. The social agenda that you proport outside the classroom needs to stay outside the classroom. In my opinion, when teachers and administration think they can hide things from the parents, especially ideas about transgender-ness and such, it is child abuse. Parents must not be sheltered from their children’s conflicted brains! It’s the parents responsibility to address the issue and help their child, not the schools. Did you know what was best for your life when you were 14? It is scientifically proven that a human brain is not fully developed until at least 25 years of age. Let children be children! I know I am speaking to the choir here. I rest my case.
5. The disproportionate power of tongue (James 3:2-5)
*A. Alec Motyer: “It is not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in itself the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts?
The tongue is the “master switch” for the rest of the body. It turns everything else on or off. It is the key factor. It is not any more strong, but rather a different switch. The tongue has the power; it is great. It has directing power over our spiritual condition. It can be positively used as well. It is a small part that controls the rest of the body.
I do believe we say what is in our hearts. Sometimes it isn’t pretty. I like the saying, “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason.” I need to remember that!
B. She told a story of a two-year-old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two-year-old’s tongue?
Absolutely! Grace has quite the vocabulary and uses it sometimes to a cutting point. It hurts, and she knows it too. She usually gives me a hug afterwards though. Maybe we need to study this passage together 🙂
Laura, I am so thankful for teachers like you! !!!!!I see too many “agendas” being accepted and encouraged in public schools, as well as some private schools.
4. Teaching and Finding Teachers
A. Why is teaching more a responsibility than a privilege? because teachers will be held to a higher standard and will be accountable for what they say Words are dangerous and weighty and teachers have a greater expanse of influence
*B. She said, “the learning has to show up in the teacher.” She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally 🙂 How can this help you be discerning about your teachers? Do they live out what they teach. Do you hear gossip, witness hypocrisy or intolerance in their classroom?
5. The disproportionate power of tongue (James 3:2-5)
*A. Alec Motyer: “It is not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in it self the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts? That the tongue has the power to lift people up or destroy or to incite people to better things or lesser things to improve a situation or send it farther south
B. She told a story of a two-year-old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two-year-old’s tongue? 🙂 yes One morning I was excited to watch my grandkids for a few others until other grandma arrived When they excitedly opened the door their hello dropped to a less excited pitch when they realized it was me. (Ouch)
C. Other comments on this section? There are no words that don’t do anything. Even texting. Words are powerful and always matter. I know this chapter is in Bible but it’s been convenient to forget that I will give an account for every word.
Oh your grandma story! : ( One of my set of grandkids is like that so I get it. They call me “the other grandma”
I agree, Judy! Words are powerful and always matter. This is so important, I need to write it on my mirror to read every morning: I know this chapter is in Bible but it’s been convenient to forget that I will give an account for every word.
Judy, a scene from Pride and Prejudice came to mind after I read about your grandkids. How Mary Ann was so excited thinking Willoughby was coming to visit her. When she saw Colonel Brandon instead, her face dropped, she said excused me(I think) and left and I saw his face showing hurt.
On the very rare occasions that I would sub at school, students would ask where their regular teacher was. And those words used to sting. Grateful to God for helping me see His approval is the most important. And to be mindful of my words.
Children for a while have very little filter on their words, but are usually tender hearted and would not mean to hurt. We just love them as they are.
A. Why is teaching more a responsibility than a privilege?
Words are weighty, dangerous and important. Teaching is a multiplication of words. Teachers have a great expanse of influence ~ they are influencing many minds and the judgment of what they teach those minds will be strict. Along with the privilege of teaching comes great accountability~ you must be responsible for what you teach.
*B. She said, “the learning has to show up in the teacher.” She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally 🙂 How can this help you be discerning about your teachers?
Personal character is more important than professional competency.
5. The disproportionate power of tongue (James 3:2-5)
*A. Alec Motyer: “It is not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in it self the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts?
The tongue is the master switch; The tongue turns everything else on and everything else off. It is the Master control.
B. She told a story of a two-year-old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two-year-old’s tongue? 🙂
Once, when one of my grandsons was 3 and was staying with us for ten days; he was tired and cranky…and wanting his mom. It was totally understandable ~he just missed her. 🙂
C. Other comments on this section?
From Paige: The tongue does not just have the revealing power or the reflecting power of our spiritual condition; the tongue has directing power over our spiritual conditions.
The bit and rudder need to be used with a purpose, because they always have an effect. This is why the tongue can boast. It is that powerful. We will give an account of all our words, even careless one. They matter in public and they matter in private.
We are all teachers, even if we are not in a classroom. There are no words that don’t do anything. There are no words that don’t reveal a part of your character. Words travel~ they travel fast.
From Patti: “There are no words that don’t reveal part of your character.”
6. What does James say the tongue is (not like) in 3:6? And what does it do?
The tongue is a fire. It defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. The source of the tongue’s evil is the devil.
7. John Calvin says “the bite of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you?
I need to guard my heart and my thoughts from the enemy and evil. My tongue will always be a source of sin and I need to guard against allowing it to reign over me. It is powerful and will always need to be controlled. I need to speak less and think more and first before I speak. I pray that I will not let negative or evil thoughts take root, for the weeds always grow faster and stronger than the flowers. I pray that the Holy Spirit will control my tongue every second.
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story)
Fire and words spread fast and hot and you cannot reverse either one.
*9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow?
I love this from Paul Tripp: “God has placed in your mouth a powerful gift, it will influence the course of your life and the character of all your relationships.” Lord help me to guard my tongue and use it sparingly; and only use it only for Your glory.
*10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later — I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this?
The tongue can serve the Lord and heal hearts. When it is used carelessly, it is serving Satan in everyway. Either way you use your tongue, it will be memorable to those who hear or read your words.
6. What does James say the tongue is (not like) in 3:6? And what does it do? A flame of fire It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself (There is no innocent word. No wonder Isiah needed burning coals to cleanse lips)
7. John Calvin says “the bite of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you? That no word is overlooked by GOD and every word matters and even though my body mellows with age my tongue still has the potential be strong and sputter out angry and unkind words. Yikes
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story) our words They are out there and whether talking to self or others those words have been received with the potential to wound and scar and we can’t control the effect our words
*9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow? Yes I have matured To be careful to always respond in tenderness even when I don’t feel that way.
*10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later — I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this? Heartbreaking story of stuttering youth Never ever would I want to have so devastating of an effect Oh Be careful little mouth what I say
11. Duplicity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12)
A. She said “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth.” How does James illustrate that with his 3 pictures in this passage?: Praise God with mouth curse people made in His image . Do fig tree produce olives or or grapevine produce springs Can you draw fresh water from salty spring spring of water bubble out of both bitter and fresh water Words that come out of my mouth bubbles out of their source If there is bitterness rage jealousy or unforgiveness in the heart at times my words will be seasoned with these ugly emotions instead of the fruit of the spirit
*B. Doubleness is the fruit, but the root is the heart. Explain. The heart is the source from which we can speak There is no doubleness only deceit. A heart search and surgery is necessary so that we speak good fruit Words of life to other people
C. She gave illustrations from Frozen, the Jack Miller Sonship curriculum, and forks over knives. Choose one and comment. From frozen don’t you get it he was always bad. I think that as we clean up our heart it needs to be real cleaning and not leaving anything lurking in the corners or hidden in the closet. Otherwise that unclean heart will expose itself when hangry, triggered or in pride I expect to be treated better than that after all I’ve done. The heart is deceitful above all else. Takes continue cleaning.
From Judy: “To respond in tenderness even if I don’t feel that way.”
This is so good, Judy: If there is bitterness rage jealousy or unforgiveness in the heart at times my words will be seasoned with these ugly emotions instead of the fruit of the spirit. I also love what you said about cleaning up our hearts.
Sunday God Hunt
Well it’s Saturday night and I have
a few minutes of quiet. We have been keeping the 5 grandkids ages 6 to 17 for the last several days and through tomorrow evening. It makes for a very busy household and lots of meal prep. So mornings I just take time for a couple of devotional readings and some prayer time before everyone is up and going. I will probably crash Monday and just take time to listen to the whole teaching from Paige then try to jump back in somewhere. I read the lesson and most of the posts through yesterday. The teaching on the tongue hits me very close to home. As much as enjoy Paige’s teaching I’m not sure I can say I look forward to this lesson but there is no question I need it and I definitely need the power of God’s Word in my life.
I have experienced the presence of God this past week through his Word. As I am slowly memorizing scripture he brings it to my mind and encourages me by it. Also I had over an hours drive to an appointment on Wednesday and it allowed me to have a great time of praying out loud which is somethingI rarely do when I’m alone but my devotional reading suggested it that morning and I was really blessed by it.
Oh my — 5 kids for several days! You are a trooper!
1 *D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like? Genuine faith will produce good works. False faith is saying the words, but no action is taken.
1*E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James statement “Faith without works is dead.” I would say we are not saved by our works, but works are the natural result of faith. If you say that you are a Christian and aren’t doing any good works then what good are you?
2*B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story? That by examining the tongue her daughter was able to diagnose the condition of her whole body.
*3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out. Verse 10: From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers,these things ought not to be so. You should not have both good and evil coming from the same source. It is the same as being double minded. It also shows your true heart condition. What you say in an instant when you are caught off guard and don’t have time to contemplate what you are going to say or how it’s going to make you look is a true reflection of what you have in your heart.
Dawn, yes, this lesson from Paige is very convicting to me. “What you say in an instant when you are caught off guard and don’t have time to contemplate what you are going to say or how it’s going to make you look is a true reflection of what you have in your heart.” and James admonition to be slow to speak is so right but so often so hard to do. We are truly in need of the Spirit’s help.
Amen, Dawn and Bing. I need the Holy Spirit to guard my heart, so that my tongue, even when caught off guard, will reflect love.
6. What does James say the tongue is (not like) in 3:6? And what does it do?
It IS a fire. It spreads the wildfire once it is set. The whole course of life is set ablaze.
7. John Calvin says “the bite of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you?
I need to stop talking so much. I need to think before I speak. Our tongues never get tired! It is a picture of carelessness.
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story)
You can’t control the affect of what you say.
*9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow?
We actually did Paul Tripp’s marriage Bible study. One thing that I took away from it was the marriage is a covenant with God and then the spouse. Vertical needs to happen so that horizontal can then be made right.
I do my best to not always speak what I am thinking. I try to build up instead of tear down.
Friday: Hazards of the Tongue
Watch up through her saying “We go from the hazards of the tongue to the hopeless of the tongue.” (Shortly after her story of the disabled man pushing buttons on their car.)
4. Teaching and Finding Teachers
A. Why is teaching more a responsibility than a privilege?
Teachers are called to a higher level of responsibility. Teachers can either build up or lead others to the wrong path. Teachers also are to be learners.
*B. She said, “the learning has to show up in the teacher.” She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally 🙂 How can this help you be discerning about your teachers?
We should look for teachers that value character more than content and competence. Are they humble enough to acknowledge their dependence on God? Do they point us to Christ rather than themselves?
5. The disproportionate power of tongue (James 3:2-5)
*A. Alec Motyer: “It is not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in itself the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts?
We cannot tame the tongue-it is only with utter dependence on the God who works all things out for good that what hurt we brought to people through our words can be redeemed. I think Motyer is emphasizing that only when we can tame our tongues could we ever win other battles as well. This is a humbling reminder to ask for the Spirit’s help with the use of words. And to remind us that we are not perfect while here in our earthly dwellings. This really reminds me to watch my tongue.
A. She told a story of a two-year-old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two-year-old’s tongue? 🙂
I couldn’t remember a situation with a 2-year-old. But from older ones-yes, definitely! I do remember a comedian saying that a little girl once asked him, “why is he so ugly?” Ouch!
C. Other comments on this section?
Saturday: Hopelessness of the Tongue: Destroys
Watch up to her changing to “the healing of the tongue” (shortly after being a vegan for three hours story)
6. What does James say the tongue is (not like) in 3:6? And what does it do?
A fire! It destroys everything in its path.
7. John Calvin says “the bite of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you?
Looking over some of my notes on the parts of the brain, a mention of the part called “amygdala” struck me. The author of the article said that often older people give themselves permission to be lax about their words because they think they can because of their age. This author explains that as we grow older, our amygdalas are not as disciplined. That is why I think that as we grow older, it is most important to stay on discipline in reading the word of God. And also emphasizes that we need to encourage our youth to be steeped in God’s word. Our mental files need to be filled with it so we just couldn’t help it but have seasoned words of grace as w move from one season of life to another. The tongue does not grow old.
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story)
Once words are out, there is no way you can put words back in. I think Patti mentioned putting toothpaste back into the tube. That is impossible! One kick of a lantern ravaged Chicago.
*9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow?
By God’s grace, yes, and still a work in progress. I still need to grow in the area of being slow to speak and slow to be angry but quick to listen. Especially the quick-to-listen part.
*10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later — I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, the poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this?
Sticks and stones
I don’t think I ever believed this phrase. I would rather have my parents use a stick on me (Dad used to spank us for wrongdoing, (I deserved mine!) than hurl words that hurt. I couldn’t remember very harsh words from Dad and Mom while growing up. What I would have wished for them to have done would have been to explain to us the why’s of our punishments. But then my parents were doing their best to live a Christian life. They did not have any mentoring although my Mom later had a group of women who encouraged her in her faith.
11. Duplicity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12)
A. She said, “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth.” How does James illustrate that with his 3 pictures in this passage?
*B. Doubleness is the fruit, but the root is the heart. Explain.
Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The word of our mouth is a reflection of our hearts.
A. She gave illustrations from Frozen, the Jack Miller Sonship curriculum, and forks over knives. Choose one and comment.
I smiled when she shared about her brother and sister-in-law decided to be vegans. For three whole hours! I can say I am vegan but if my eating habits do not reflect that, then I am showing duplicity.
I smiled about the vegan story too. Didn’t know you were one. It reminded me of my daughter Beth who decided to have natural childbirth unless it hurt. That was less than 3 hours!
Oh, I worded that wrong, Dee. I am really not vegan although I wish I were! I can’t give up my fish and seafood. but I can be a vegan for maybe a day or two! Hahaha!
*10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later — I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this?
The stuttering story pierces my heart; so sad! We must be careful so there is not irreversible damage. I have a relative who says exactly what he thinks, often. It is not always kind. Paige says we should not even allow it in our thoughts. It is poison.
11. Duplicity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12)
She said “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth.” How does James illustrate that with his 3 pictures in this passage?
Praising our Lord, then cursing those He made. Fresh and bitter water in a spring? Fig tree produce olives or vice versa? Fresh water can’t be drawn from salty water.
*B. Doubleness is the fruit, but the root is the heart. Explain.
This should never be the case. Our mouths don’t have two sides. We talk out of one only. Doubleness is the fruit but what is the root? It is the heart! It is the source. Springs and plants are organic examples. There is no doubleness, only deceit. He keeps saying do not be deceived.
Watch up through her reading of this week’s passage: James 3:1-12
1. Review:
A. To whom is James writing?
He is writing to believers – “normal” believers who were scattered because of persecution.
B. What is his goal for believers?
James is first and foremost a pastor, and through his letter, he is pastoring these scattered believers, many from Jerusalem. His goal is for a comprehensive Christianity in that there is no part of our lives that should be untouched as a result of our belonging to Christ. Paige said that this is a letter about the nitty-gritty, the daily, even the hourly. We should live a consistent and comprehensive life in Christ. James’ goal is maturity in the faith, a completeness, a wholeness.
C. What will steadfastness in trial lead to?
It will lead to the goal: a completeness, that we will be made perfect. How do we do this? By responding to the implanted Word in us.
D. What will genuine faith produce? What does false faith look like?
True faith will work; we will not just be hearers, but doers. False faith is when there are no works. James has talked about “saying faith” – words but no actions, demon faith that believes correct doctrine but has no desire for God or wants to submit to Him.
E. If someone asked you, “Are we saved by our works?” What would you say and how would you explain James’ statement, “Faith without works is dead?”
I would say that no, a person cannot make themselves right with God by doing good works, as it says in Romans, that there is none righteous, no not one. However, when God gives you the gift of faith and forgives you of all of your sins, and you receive that gift from Him, He then gives you a new heart and changes your desires and you will want to do good works for Him. Your life will change; things that you were comfortable with (as in sins) will start to make you uncomfortable. Where there is truly no heart change or a desire to repent of sins and change direction, even though you may say you believe, that is a dead faith.
2. Introduction
A. Paige said we think of sin in terms of sexuality and substances and if we are okay there, we are okay! Instead – to what three areas does James go? (1:26-27)
To speech, money, and our tongue. 1:26-27 includes bridling our tongue, caring for widows and orphans, who represent the poor, and keeping yourself unstained from the world.
B. What was her point with the Fisher-Price doctor kit and tongue depressor story?
Everything may appear fine until the doctor gets out that tongue depressor and looks in your mouth. The doctor can look in there and tell everything about you. What a clear biblical picture – we can look in our mouth and know everything about us.
3. Read through James 3:1-12. Choose one of the word pictures concerning the tongue that stands out to you in this passage and explain what it means and why it stands out.
Verse 6 says that the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity. When I think of a “world of iniquity”, a whole world, that seems HUGE, with every imaginable sin and evil contained within it. And then I imagine scraping around and trying to find the source of all this evil, and what you uncover is this little, tiny tongue, the mastermind behind it all. And when the end of this verse says that the tongue is set on fire by hell, you see who the true mastermind and manipulator of it is – Satan himself. Was it not the spoken words that Satan spoke in the Garden of Eden that caused them to fall into sin?
I wanted to comment on the Sara Groves song, too. What a picture of how things can change between two people in an instant. The words to her song are really worth reflecting on. A minefield, tenderness and goodwill are gone, we are gone, isolation. With our words…even the “right” words said with a certain tone, and the walls go up. I’ve been there, both as the one who has spoken those words and on the receiving end. I think we all know that crushing feeling in our chest and the sinking feeling in our stomach as the result of hurtful words.
I knew you’d like Sara Groves.
This is so true, Susan. I agree~ those words are worth reflecting on. I pray everyday that my heart will have a godly attitude before I open my mouth. I had to bridle the bit of my heart twice today….and it is only 11am. Lord, place a hedge of protection around my heart and guard it from the enemy!
Amen sister! Preach it!
Susan, I, too, loved the Sara Groves song. and your picture-lovely!
12. Nothing shows us our hopelessness like our tongue — so we must cry out to Jesus! As we mature in our faith we mature in our need. How have you seen this? Has He shown you new areas of need with your tongue? If so, share. I guess as I get closer to the light, the Light is shining in more dark areas of sin. Sometimes there is a sharpness in my tone that I didn’t think I intended until this lecture. What I need is more patience so gentleness is always my response
13. A good teacher makes him or herself vulnerable. How did she do that by describing her home in the last week? She described the battle scene of war of words in her home. Anger, hurt, crtying but the words couldn’t be taken back
14. The tongue of Jesus
A. His speaking
1) How was James privileged to bear witness to the words of Jesus? He lived with Jesus He saw how Jesus responded to things and His mouth didn’t sin.
2) What example of Jesus speaking stood out to you in righteousness, authority, or wisdom? His words were truth, love and life
*3) She lost me when she said His words are credited to me. I need help in understanding this. I understand we are cleansed and considered righteous when we trust His payment for us. But I got a bit lost here. So — help! I had trouble with that Guessing instead of those sinful awful words I’ve been credited with His righteousness and my words are covered by His words
B. His silence (Isaiah 53: 7) What stood out to you from this? I know Jesus died for my sin but I’m not sure I’ve considered my words as part of that My sin kept Jesus from calling down legions of angels to save Himself Instead He saved me.
C. His substitution. “Because of my speaking Jesus was seperated from the Father on the cross.” Explain. God is holy and in His holiness can’t view sin. So as my dark sin shrouded Jesus, He was separated from God s presence instead of me
D. His singing. (Zeph 3:17) What was the point of her daddy’s letter when she was born? Do you believe the Lord sings over you? The joy her dad has over her birth, the love and tenderness. (An earthly father gives good gifts to his children, how much more our Heavenly Father gives us) Yes I believe God sings over me
God Hunt Sunday
12. How have you experienced the presence or power of God in the last week?
My daughter has been on the lookout for a house to buy for a couple of months now. We have seen some good ones that were affordable and had features the three of us were looking for. Just as the two of us would be in agreement, the third person would have concerns. My prayer was for God’s choice and that the three of us would be in agreement. Finally, we sort of agreed on one but before we could talk to the realtor, somebody bought it! I knew God has something else for her.
Last Friday, she saw a most unassuming place, shared pictures with us, and we three agreed to give the owner an offer. But we were told there are other offers. Pray. I asked p friends to pray for us. Early this morning we received an excited text from Ruth telling us they accepted her offer! We need to work on details as a family. Something like this can still not go through. I do believe that these roller coaster experiences for our daughter are evidence of God working out his purposes in her life. She has been most open to talking about spiritual things lately and I am very grateful to God for His compassion and abounding love for our proud prodigal daughter. His ways are beyond finding out and I am very thankful. I am continuing to trust and obey.
Bing,
It is a delight to hear about your relationship with your daughter and see how God is drawing her and working in her life.
So exciting, Bing!
4. Teaching and Finding Teachers
A. Why is teaching more of a responsibility than a privilege?
The job of teaching is centered in speaking/words. All teachers will be held accountable, and James includes himself in this. And, we are more likely to sin in the area of our strengths than our weaknessess. Our words will be evaluated in the Judgment (not judgment as in salvation) and we will be held accountable for our words.
B. She said “the learning has to show up in the teacher”. She quoted a seminary president: “These three remain: content, competence, and character, but the greatest of these is character.” (Her story of 3 kids and Miss Sally. How can this help you be discerning about your teachers?)
Personal character is more important than professional competency, and this is the lens that the Lord looks through. Paige gave the example of scolding her kids angrily when trying to get ready to leave the house. The neighbor, Miss Sally, overheard, and asked the kids if everything was okay. Paige’s son said “yes…mommy’s going to teach the Bible!” Ouch! Her neighbor saw the real Paige! We must be careful about our teachers – do they have character, do they live a lifestyle of confession and repentance? Are they lifelong learners?
Monday: Healing of the Tongue
Watch up to the holiness of the tongue (shortly after she tells of her dad’s letter when she was born).
*12. Nothing shows us our hopelessness like our tongue — so we must cry out to Jesus! As we mature in our faith we mature in our need. How have you seen this? Has He shown you new areas of need with your tongue? If so, share.
—Yes I have been very aware of my need to have a heart of grace ( my word for this year) and as God has been exercising that truth in my life it makes me aware of my tongue. Aware that as I seek and work to practice grace it clearly affects what I say or even maybe more importantly what I don’t say. For instance with my husband when he is frustrating to me and his tone feels unkind and critical my old nature wants to respond in kind. But as the Lord is speaking to me in those moments to practice grace it has everything to do with what I say or don’t say.
13. A good teacher makes him or herself vulnerable. How did she do that by describing her home in the last week?
—She was honest about the personal struggles.
14. The tongue of Jesus
A. His speaking
1) How was James privileged to bear witness to the words of Jesus?
—He grew up and lived in the same household as Jesus and knew him intimately and knew his speech was always perfect.
2) What example of Jesus speaking stood out to you in righteousness, authority, or wisdom?
*3) She lost me when she said His words are credited to me. I need help in understanding this. I understand we are cleansed and considered righteous when we trust His payment for us. But I got a bit lost here. So — help!
—As I listened to this teaching I thought to myself this is very deep theology. I feel I understand what she was saying but I’m not sure I can articulate it well. I remember thinking the reach and power of the Cross is applied even to the very words I speak and have spoken. Words that are part of my sin that had to be covered and cleansed too. But out of his perfection in being the perfect spotless Lamb even in his speaking and his own words there was perfection to be my substitute. That is probably as clear as mud. 🥴
But it brought a very real sense of encouragement and hope to me because I have failed so badly in this area of my life but even in my speaking of words I am forgiven and set free because of Jesus and the Cross. Especially after the teaching before it that was so clear about our hopelessness and the destructive nature of my tongue. I needed to hear about the healing power of the Cross.
B. His silence (Isaiah 53: 7) What stood out to you from this?
—He never ever defended himself so I am challenged to practice silence as well when words come against me unfairly.
C. His substitution. “Because of my speaking Jesus was seperated from the Father on the cross.” Explain.
—My own words condemn me by revealing the sin in my heart which he took on himself on the Cross and God the Father could not look on or respond to that sin that he was bearing.
D. His singing. (Zeph 3:17) What was the point of her daddy’s letter when she was born? Do you believe the Lord sings over you?
—This has been a hard concept for me to grasp. But she explained it beautifully. One of her comments was “His singing is the sound of his mercy triumphing over judgement.”
I am especially took note of her comment “Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you ears in your heart to hear the joy he has over you.”
15. Rendered speechless
A. How does Romans 3:10-14 describe us? Not righteous, don’t seek God, worthless, throat an open grave, mouth full of curses and bitterness
B. What happened to Isaiah when he saw the Lord? (Isaiah 6:1-5) he recognized his sin of unclean lips and the same condition of people around him.
*C. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “We are not a Christian until we have been rendered speechless before God.” Was there a moment this happened to you? Describe it. In a longer than normal time of worship everything around me was almost nonexistent. I didn’t want to move for fear the moment would pass and I was weeping
D. What else stood out to you from this section? (Up to singing) we speak 400 pages every week and Jesus reads every single page Pretty sobering
16. Our Singing – what stood out to from this section and how might you apply it? Her statement of needing singing more than talking Praising does change my attitude and my view of things and in time of trial it strengthens and gives me peace. Focus off me and on the One who matters.
12. Nothing shows us our hopelessness like our tongue — so we must cry out to Jesus! As we mature in our faith we mature in our need. How have you seen this? Has He shown you new areas of need with your tongue? If so, share.
We can’t produce fresh water, we have to cry out! It is hopeless. No human can tame the tongue without God, but we can heal the tongue. Our healing comes from His glory. Oh my! have I learned so much as I have developed in Christ, especially when it comes to what I say. When I was a child, I barely spoke. I was shy and awkward. As I grew up, I learned to speak up more to the point where I annoy myself with my words! I have toned it down over the years and I am thankful for the hard lessons learned.
13. A good teacher makes him or herself vulnerable. How did she do that by describing her home in the last week?
She admitted that ALL in the home were saying things that were ungodly, including herself. Good teachers are willing to admit they need help learning too.
14. The tongue of Jesus
A. His speaking
1) How was James privileged to bear witness to the words of Jesus?
He was his brother!
2. I don’t understand this question.
*3) She lost me when she said His words are credited to me. I need help in understanding this. I understand we are cleansed and considered righteous when we trust His payment for us. But I got a bit lost here. So — help!
She was saying that His Words became our words; we got credit for what He said. The Words aren’t important in that I follow them or mimic them. It’s as if I spoke in truth, love, etc. In justification they become our righteousness.
B. His silence (Isaiah 53: 7) What stood out to you from this?
He silently receives the sentence of my guilt. If He called the angels then I would not be saved.
C. His substitution. “Because of my speaking Jesus was separated from the Father on the cross.” Explain.
My sin was the reason He had to come to save us. He cries to the Father and the Father can’t answer Him. By His stripes we are healed!
D. His singing. (Zeph 3:17) What was the point of her daddy’s letter when she was born? Do you believe the Lord sings over you?
Her dad was far from home when they had Paige. He wrote a letter to his parents telling them all about her. She has the letter and reads it often. Her dad rejoices over her. I want to believe the Lord sings over me.
*15. Rendered speechless
A. How does Romans 3:10-14 describe us?
Ewww…snakes! No one is righteous.
No one is truly wise.
All are useless.
No one does good.
Talk is foul.
Tongues are filled with lies.
Mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.
When we really understand ourselves, our mouths are stopped.
B. What happened to Isaiah when he saw the Lord? (Isaiah 6:1-5)
He knew that he was a man of unclean lips. He was stopped. H
*C. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: “We are not a Christian until we have been rendered speechless before God.” Was there a moment this happened to you? Describe it.
Yes! I was speechless when our daughter told us she was pregnant. I really had no idea what to say, I just knew we needed God because I had no idea how we would handle the situation. We had to totally lean on God.
D. What else stood out to you from this section? (Up to singing)
Must start with our silence.
16. Our Singing – what stood out to from this section and how might you apply it?
We have a choice to stop talking and start listening. We have to search our hearts. He implants His Word in us, and we need to speak The Word.
5. The disproportionate power of the tongue (James 3:2-5)
A. Alec Motyer: “It’s not that a person strong enough to control the tongue is therefore also strong enough to control for every other battle. It is much deeper and more important even than that. It is rather that the winning of this battle is in itself the winning of all battles.” Then she used the master switch analogy. What is her point? Thoughts?
You can either go through the house turning lights on and off using all of the different switches, or you can use the master switch on the switchboard and turn all the lights on and off. It’s not that the master switch is “stronger” than each individual light switch (not a different level of strength) – it’s a different switch.
The point is: the tongue is the master switch. It turns everything else on and off. It is the key factor in controlled and consistent living. The tongue can boast of great things because it does have tremendous effect, out of proportion to its size. I think I understand what she’s saying, but did she say “how” do you win this battle? Since Jesus said that our words originate in our heart, then isn’t it a matter of what’s in the heart? I guess I could bridle my tongue and shut my mouth, but what if I’m thinking all kinds of nasty stuff – but just don’t say it out loud? That seems external, not internal.
B. She told a story of a two year old and how she could hurt. Have you been hurt by a two year old’s tongue?
I can’t think of anything, but it was when my kids were older that they said things that hurt me.
C. Other comments on this section?
Paige said that James is saying the tongue has “directing power” over our spiritual condition. It’s not just revealing something, it’s directing something. He gives the examples therefore of the bit and the rudder. The bit controls the whole horse; the rudder controls the whole ship. But we must keep in mind that there is an effect produced by the bit and the rudder – there are consequences in how we choose to use them. The example of the disable man pushing all the buttons in the car – the wipers, radio, heat….can we just find a button that doesn’t do anything? No. And, there are no words that just don’t do anything, that have no effect. There are no such words. All of our words matter. We will give an account for every word.
6. What does James say the tongue is not like in 3:6? And what does it do?
James says the tongue is a fire (not “like” a fire – this is not an analogy). It sets the whole course of a life on fire.
7. John Calvin says “the vice of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. It is as active and potent for evil in old age as ever it was in youth.” How is His Spirit speaking to you?
Every other part of my body will age, break down, wear out….but not my tongue. I certainly hope to “finish well” in my course of life, and it’s a sobering reminder that my tongue has the power to make me finish badly, ruin relationships, and leave a bad legacy to my family. Paige said this isn’t a case of “arson” – this is carelessness. I know I can be careless with my words.
8. Her daughter said, “I didn’t mean to say that. I take it back.” What can’t you take back? (O’Leary’s cow story)
What we really mean is, “I didn’t mean it to have that effect”. The O’Leary’s cow, by kicking over a lantern, started the Great Chicago Fire. You just can’t take back the effect your words have; the consequences, the damage, the harm.
9. Comments on Paul Tripp’s reflections on marriage counseling. Have you matured in your marriage in this area? Where do you still need to grow?
A newly married couple used to hang on each others’ words….years later, those loving words are replaced by acrimonious, nasty words. The words have, in effect, burned down the relationship. I believe I have matured in the words I speak to my husband. I am ashamed at some of the things I have said to him in the past. Not too long ago, when I was praying about a difficulty I was having in how I felt about my husband, it was as if God said to me, “That’s because you look at him as if he doesn’t have a soul.” I still have much growth….I can be critical and nit-picky about little things, and directing him in what to do, and often, my tone of voice says a lot of what I really mean.
10. Comment on one of her other examples (Ten years later – I remember what they said to me; nephew brushing teeth, poison of Putin, sticks and stones, stuttering story) How might you apply this?
The sticks and stones may break….but words….it should say but words have the power to permanently devastate me. Words are destructive. Many adults are still dealing with the past trauma of words spoken to them in their childhood. Adults are still dwelling on things that their parents said to them. I must always remember the “staying power” of my words. They will linger on in the minds of their recipients long after I am gone.
Wow what a message from God to you. One we all need to hear for hard people in our lives.
Wow….That’s because you look at him as if he doesn’t have a soul.” Thank you for sharing this, Susan. This is a good reminder for each of us in all relationships!!
11. Duplicity of the Tongue (James 3:9-12)
A. She said “We can’t talk out of both sides of our mouth.” How does James illustrate that with his 3 pictures in this passage?
James said that with our mouth, we praise God and out of the same mouth we curse people made in His image. This is a picture of doubleness. Cursing is condemning; it is cutting someone off from the blessing of life; it’s a verbal death wish. James says this should never exist because it is intrinsically wrong. It is never right; this should never exist. Our mouths don’t have two sides – we only talk out of the one mouth.
B. Doubleness is the fruit, but the root is the heart. Explain.
The root is the heart. The source is the heart. So James starts talking about springs and plants, which have an organic connection that will always show itself. A spring cannot produce both salt water and fresh water, and a plant cannot produce the fruit of another plant. What does that mean? There is no doubleness – there is only deceit. Your spring is producing your water, and your plant is producing your fruit. So don’t be deceived! So if I am nice to someone to her face, yet tear her apart behind her back, I am really not being “double”….I am really showing what is in my heart and that is deceit.
C. She gave illustrations from Frozen, the Jack Miller Sonship curriculum, and forks over knives. Choose one and comment.
Paige’s daughter gasped during the movie Frozen, wondering when did Prince Hans “turn bad”? He had seemed so nice! Don’t you get it…he was bad all along! There was only deceit operating. He really was never “both” nice and mean. When we say something bad, we can’t say, “That’s not like me….that doesn’t sound like me!” It sounds just like you….it’s who you really are.
I did as much as I could last night but now the video has been taken down and I didn’t get to go back and re-listen. I really wish she would leave up the videos throughout her few weeks of teaching this series, and then remove them. But I was thinking about what Dee asked above, about how Paige lost her when she said that Jesus’ words were credited to us. Almost as if we said them.
I have heard teaching before that gave examples such as, picture two books. One is about the life of Jesus, which is perfect and sinless, and it’s all recorded on the pages. The other book is about my life, with all my sins and failures. So imagine switching the book covers, so that now, the book that is titled The Life of Susan, when you open it and read the pages, will be everything He did. I’m not really sure about this or what Paige said. I understand that God declares us righteous, that Jesus bore our sins on the Cross, that He became guilty of our sins, as if He had done them himself, but it still seems to me that He lived His life and said His words and His actions and words remain his, not mine. Unless she means it’s as if my words were perfect, like His, after I receive salvation. Is this an example of maybe making things a bit too literal?
Susan, The switching book covers is an interesting analogy of the substitution of Jesus for our sin. As I commented earlier this is very deep thinking and certainly stretches my mind to consider it. Even your question “Is this an example of maybe making things a bit too literal?” That challenges my thinking. I wondered is that possible in this case? I think your referring to “as if” comment makes sense. We recognize that when we are resurrected and stand before God we will stand in the perfect righteousness of Jesus and even every bad and wrong word we spoke will be covered and forgiven because of him. “As if” we had never sinned. So it would seem yes there is a literal exchange but the thing that remains is that there will be an accounting for the things we say in this life. Not an accounting that affects our salvation but an accounting before the judgement seat of Christ tied to the eternal rewards of gold and silver or of wood, hay and stubble when tested by fire. It would seem it will be at that time every tear will be wiped away and the renewal of all things will be realized for us. We will be completely perfect in Christ and share in his glory for eternity. All I can say is Wow! concerning the hope we have in Jesus.
Appreciated your thoughts on this.
In one of her past lectures, in the live streaming she said something similar like — we called Zaccheus down from the tree… I was lost. And in the version on you-tube that was all cut out. I wonder if this is similar.
Wow, Susan! That is a great analogy about the book covers!! I wrote some of my notes under Bev’s last post.
It is hard to have the time to listen to the whole lesson, for sure. I agree, it would be nice to have the reference for a bit. Maybe, she will post it after the series is completed.
17. What is your take-a-way and why? That every time I speak in a manner not intended or shouldn’t have said to begin with. I need to examine my heart as to why. Is there anger, unforgiveness, or a past wound I haven’t allowed Him to heal? Why? So the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart are acceptable to Him.
Wednesday Takeaway
Well unfortunately I failed to tune in that the video gets taken off on Tuesday night and thought I could finish listening to it early this morning before today’s teaching so I missed the last section of part 4 on Holiness of the Tongue. But never the less there were many takeaways from the teaching this last week.
Paige said “There is no part of our lives that is not informed and transformed by belonging to the Lord Jesus.”
She also said this is a pastoral letter to believers and it is a “call to comprehensive and consistent Christianity. James is calling for a maturity in the faith. A wholeness that comes from the steadfastness in the faith but steadfastness is not the goal.”
As she went on to outline and talk about the Hazards of and the Hopelessness of the Tongue it was a pretty discouraging exercise to recognize the destructive ability of the tongue and our inability to control it. Gratefully there is Healing for the Tongue and the bottom line comes back to the heart and she used one of her signature comments again “It’s the heart, Stupid!
It would seem the heart is the master switch to controlling the tongue. And so with growth into a more mature faith there is a growing steadfastness in our faith to move us toward our goal which is a wholeness that comes in our walk with God and the Lord Jesus our Savior. That’s kind of a mouthful isn’t it. 😊. All this is a reminder that it is All Jesus. She said “The good news is there is hope and healing. Because Jesus left his glory.”
Oh how I need hope and healing to attain the Holiness of the Tongue. Still sorry I missed that part. I hope to see some of others comments on that last part. This study of James as hard as it is to take in and reconcile with my life there is incredible richness to the content.
Thank you for the great points, Bev. The Holiness of the Tongue had some excellent points. I am realizing that one of the reasons Paige says “look down” is that she wants us to remember the words of this verses ~ and take notes…not just watch her. I think she wants the Bible to be the focus and not Paige. Here were some points that I appreciated:
How do we live in that Holiness ? God’s mirror to us: The minute we see who we are in the light of the Holiness of God, our mouths are stopped. That happens when we really understand who we are and who GOD is. “Only the mouth that has first been stopped is ever fit to speak.” Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones: “We are not a Christian unless we have been rendered speechless before God.”
Our Speaking: Bumping up against God’s Holiness shuts our mouths, yet the grace of God opens our mouths. First, we need to call out to God in confession and repentance. Our God will pardon. Lord, use me and use my mouth, yet protect and guard my heart. She goes back to the heart. first evidence of our new life in Christ is New speech. We need to tell of the wonders of God. Renewed hearts speak in new ways: Only out of love, no malice.
God implants His (Clean and forgiving) His word in our hearts- because the heart is the source; the spring. Do not give voice to : anger, resentment, superiority, greed, hate, jealousy, lack of forgiveness ~cut them off at the root. Answer with God’s word of humility and confidence in God. No need for self promotion when you are Perfectly loved by God.
His gifts are His bridle, His Bit, His rudder, His yoke. Our goal : That the Word of Christ dwells in us so richly that our conversations are full of grace and seasoned with salt; we cannot speak but with God’s tone He can change our words/ attitude. We matter so much to Him and our words matter to Him. Seek Wisdom, do not speak evil to one another.
I found these statements by Paige very convicting: Our words have weight. Every time we’re talking someone is listening. Our motivation for Holiness comes from listening to Him, but also knowing He is Always listening to us. Everyone writes a 400 page book every week with what we say. Only the Lord Jesus reads the whole thing. He always reads the whole thing.
Most Important Pour forth Praise! We need to sing more and praise more than talk.
Hope this makes sense. I had so many notes, I just pulled out some things that spoke to my heart.
Thank you so much Patti for reviewing some highlights for me. Yes they make sense.
There is such good instruction in this teaching and yes it’s convicting. The information of the fact our words could write a 400 page book each week with what we say and the Lord reads the whole thing is a sobering thought.
I really appreciate your sharing these points with us.
double ugh! I am not sure what happened but I have lost my answers to the Monday and Tuesday questions! It was late last night when I was working on it and I may have accidentally deleted it. I am going to copy and paste some of your comments, ladies. My brain is too full to think again.
Just a thought on a different tangent. I felt sorry for myself that I lost my answers and I can’t retrieve them now-this reminds me of lost opportunities to say a kind word to somebody who at the moment of interaction could have used some life-giving words. Our words do matter; not only what we say, but what we fail to say because of a distracted and out of focus on Jesus moment. Thankfully, His words are credited to us. Perhaps, this is part of His intercessory prayer on our behalf? Am not sure either. Rabbit trailing.
I have had that happen, Bing! I really like that you pointed out that what we fail to say is also so important.