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Love
Teaching Text: James 3: 1-18
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
The Crown of Life: Meditations on the Book of James
Speaking Peace
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
Think of words that someone spoke over you that have stuck with you for years. (positive or negative)
Share this with your group.
James is New Testament wisdom literature.
It is direct. At times, it feels abrupt. It is meant to lead to practical action.
James is giving us something of a litmus test for living the Jesus way
He provides this like a thesis early on and then expands on each one. Living in the way of Jesus must impact…
How you speak
How you treat the poor and the vulnerable
How you adopt or resist the systems of this world.
In this text, he is showing us ….
Words have tremendous power
Words reveal our hearts and shape our lives
What to do when words have torn us apart
Words have tremendous power
Our words have the power to create reality.
There’s a quote from Mark Twain in one of the english classes here in this school that says “the difference between the right word and the wrong word is difference between Lightening and Lightening Bug.”
Our words have the power to describe reality
Words reveal our hearts and shape our lives
Jesus said out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.
James says if we could somehow control our speech, we could control our entire lives.
So, we need self-control or do we need a change of heart?
The answer is Yes.
Our words reveal what is going on in our hearts.
When you use words to harm it almost always lives past that moment.
Many of us have deep wounds from how words have been used in our lives. Our use and others.
What to do when words have torn us apart
Listen to how serious this is…
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
– James 3: 13-18
James has already told us that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God and God will give it freely to us.
So that is where we begin. If we find ourselves participating in damaging speech, we ask God for help and we expect God’s help!!!
Ask God for a change of heart
Pay attention to what shows up in your words
Consistent negativity or do you see encouragement?
Do you catch cynicism or is hope spring out?
Do those around expect words of anger or words of peace?
Do you use sarcasm to protect you from vulnerability?
Do you vilify and run down those who you disagree with?
Do you work to recognize where someone else may be coming from?
Pay attention to what shows up in your words
And then…with God’s help….
Use your words to sow seeds of Peace (Shalom)
Consider how GOD MAY HAVE EQUIPPED YOU TO BE A PEACEMAKER.
Pay attention to what shows up in your words.
Ask God for help and a change of heart
Sow seeds of peace.
Parents:
How do you talk to your kids about the power of their words?
Consider the affirmation your children need and make some plans to speak life and peace over them.
Ask your children how they can use their words at school to be peacemakers rather than bring harm.
