Count it all Joy! (James 3:1-12)

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Behold , we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth . 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things . Behold , how great a matter a little fire kindleth ! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed , and hath been tamed of mankind : 8 But the tongue can no man tame ; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be . 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS:
1) Who receives stricter judgment in the body of Christ (v.1)?
2) How might one stumble as a member of Christ’s body (v.2)?
3) What illustrations are used to show the necessity of bridling one’s tongue (v.3-4)?
4) Though it is little, what can the tongue do (v.5)?
5) What is the tongue? What can it do to the body? What can it set ablaze? What sets it ablaze? (v.6)
6) What has been tamed by humankind (v. 7)?
7) Who has tamed the tongue (v.8)?
8) How can the tongue be used? Why is this so confusing? (v.9-12)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1) How do you most often use your tongue?
2) Are you always able to control what you say? Recall a time when you could not. What happened?
3) Have you ever used your words to praise God and later gossiped about a brother or sister in Christ?

LIFE LESSONS:
1) The Lord expects His children to weigh our words carefully.
2) Words can be used to build up and to destroy.
3) Our words glorify God or the enemy.
4) We do not have to allow our words to be controlled by our feelings