Foot-In-Mouth-Disease
James 3

A Warning For Sunday School Teachers

Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.

James 3:1 (NASB Update)

For Discussion Leaders—this passage for me was heart-pounding and convicting.   At first glance, I said, yes, its obvious that judgment is stricter for the one who claims to know Jesus.  I immediately thought about all the televangelists who through the years had a powerful ministry, then wrecked it all by adultery and greed. Quickly I was able to pass judgment on them when the real conviction set in. We are just as liable for judgment.

Week after week we place ourselves in a position of leadership in front of others.  That’s the place we’ve taken in this collegiate ministry.  We are here, to lovingly spur people to the truth, found in Christ Jesus alone.  We are to love each other in a manner that goes beyond conventional feelings.  We are to show the reality of Christ by loving one another.  I love each and every one of you, so that’s why I repeat this warning from Scripture:  First and foremost, let us BE RIGHT WITH GOD before we walk into our rooms Sunday morning.  If we are unrepentant, LET US GET REPENTANT!  If we are DISOBEDIENT, get OBEDIENT!    Before we utter a word, remember that judgment is greater on us, because we are supposed to show this faith in action. 

I BEG OF YOU TO KEEP MY ACTIONS ACCOUNTABLE!  IF I FAIL YOU, OR UNDERMINE GOD’S WORD BY DISOBEYING IT—PLEASE REBUKE ME IN LOVE.  I WANT TO BE RIGHT BEFORE YOU, I WANT TO BE RIGHT WITH GOD.  IF I DO SOMETHING THAT DOESN’T BRING GLORY TO JESUS, NO MATTER HOW PAINFUL OR HUMBLING IT MAY BE—PLEASE CORRECT ME!  IF I MUST DIE, IT IS WORTH IT TO GAIN OUR GLORIOUS LORD JESUS CHRIST! 

Only You (or Your Tongue) Can Prevent Forest Fires…

For we all stumble in many ways.  If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.

James 3:2-5a (NASB Update)

• Everyone battles to control the tongue. 

See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

James 3:5b-8 (NASB Update)

• What we say controls the course of our lives.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

James 3:9-12 (NASB Update)

• With the same tongue we give God glory and attack people by lies, hurtful comments, or vicious rumors.

Dirty stories, foul talk, and coarse jokes-these are not for you. Instead, remind each other of God's goodness, and be thankful.

Ephesians 5:4 (The Living Bible)

Wise?  Prove It. 

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.

James 3:13 (NASB Update)

• If God has given you wisdom, show it by the way you live and carry out in obedience to his Word and wisdom.

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.

James 3:14 (NASB Update)

• We deceive our own intentions when we ignore our convictions for selfish ambition. 

This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.

James 3:15 (NASB Update)

• Self-glorying, self-seeking, selfish ambition is of Hell and not of Heaven.  (This is the kind of wisdom that rears pain and heartache, causes division among men, and won’t let go until its won its crusade of personal vendetta and self-righteousness.)

Is Your Wisdom Of God?  Test it by this:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:16-18 (NASB Update)

• Godly wisdom always looks to bring peace to a situation.

• Godly wisdom is gentle and respectful, not ever bitter and resentful.

• Godly wisdom is reasonable, it makes sense—often is the thing you know is the right thing to do with your common sense.

• Godly wisdom is merciful to yourself and others.

• God’s wisdom never changes, it is unwavering, because He Himself never changes.  (Hebrews 13:8)

• Godly wisdom lacks hypocrisy—it doesn’t say, “I’ll do this” or “You should do this” and then does something else. 

Discussion Questions

James 3:1-12

• Why do you think James says the teachers face a stricter judgment?
• James 3:3-5---What’s one way we all stumble?
• Name at least four ways how we stumble with our tongues.
• Be brave—does anyone want to talk about a time their mouth got them in trouble?
• (to the responders of that question)  How did that affect the relationships of the people involved?
• What is some basic wisdom for guarding what we say?

James 3:13-18

• Describe godly wisdom.
• How can we apply godly wisdom?
• Why do we need to check the wisdom in our own lives before we feel the need to go share it with others?
• What happens when selfish ambition becomes part of the equation?

LET AT LEAST 3 PEOPLE PRAY---

SPECIFICALLY PRAY FOR THE LOST, FOR BROKENNESS, AND THAT GOD WILL GRANT US WITH REAL WISDOM—THE ONLY TREASURE THAT CAN SATISFY OUR HEART’S DESIRES—THE LORD JESUS HIMSELF!!!