James – Part 3: True Wisdom
James 3:2-12
“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 (p.931)
• True Wisdom Values Understanding More than Being Heard.
“We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.” James 3:3 (p.931)
“And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go…” James 3:4 (p.931)
“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.” James 3:5 (p.931)
- Never use the excuse “everyone says it”.
“Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God.” James 3:9 (p.931)
- Remember that our character is measured by our words.
“A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad… For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.” Matthew 12:33-34 (p.743)
“A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart…” Luke 6:45 (p.787)
“Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs?…” James 3:12 (p.931)
- Ask God to help me control my words.
“How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!” Proverbs 16:16 (p.492)
Series Memory Verse: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:17 (p.931)
“But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” James 3:17 (p.931)
“…No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.” James 3:12 (p.931)
My Next Step This Week: I will evaluate one conversation each day to discover if I valued understanding more than being heard.