Dig Deeper - Sunday 2nd November
Sermon Reflection Questions - James - Genuine Faith: Tongues on Fire
James 3:1-18
Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 2nd November service:
Summary
James 3 tackles the tongue and the power of our words. He starts off by describing the tongue as small but mighty. It has the power to build, but it also has the power to destroy. We communicate through words. God created the earth through words, and He created us through words. Words are powerful; certain words can provoke feelings. When we have been encouraged or discouraged, we feel those words deeply. Negative words can make us feel less than and they can become words we dwell on for decades. Negative words can be countered by God’s word, by what He says of our identity. God calls us loved (Jer 31:3), known (Jer 1:5), part of His family (Eph 1:5) and fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps.139:1). We should use our words for good (Heb 10:2).
Sometimes our words can become reckless or careless, so we need to tame our tongues. James 3:7-12 describes the nature of the tongue. It is untameable and contradictory. We bless God with our tongue but so curse humans made in His image. Our words and worship should match, we have to people that represent Christ in all areas. The tongue also revels the condition of our hearts, when we speak ill of people or situations, it can represent a hardened heart. We can’t tame our tongues on our own, we need God’s help. Colossians 4:6 says - let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. The bible reminds us that we are set apart so if we are set part so should our words. In order for our conversations to be seasoned with salt and full of grace we need to recognise our need for God’s help.
A few practical ways we can tame our tongues with God’s help are:
- Daily surrender: Psalm 19:4 - may the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight
- Prayer – honesty in prayer but also help in prayer.
- Discernment and awareness
- Encouraging others
In addition needing God to help us tame our tongues, we need to ask for Godly wisdom. Wisdom that has an eternal perspective, Godly wisdom. James describes this wisdom as pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.
Discussion & Application Questions
1. Read James 3: 1-6. How does James say about the tongue in these verses?
2. When have you seen or experienced words causing damage?
3. James describes the tongue as inconsistent. How does James describe it in verses 9-12?
4. How does passage inspire you to be more careful with your words? What can you out in place to ensure that will help that.
5. Read verses 13-18. What does James describe as Godly wisdom? Think of some examples of Godly wisdom.
6. How can you sow peace this week?
Prayer
Father, thank you for the gift of wisdom. Help us to recognise that our words have power. Help us to be consistent in our words and actions. We are sorry for when we have not spoken well of people or situations. Make our speech seasoned with salt and may we represent you here on earth to our family and to our community.
Amen
