The Torch of the Tongue

Main Point: Beware of the danger your tongue can do, and surrender it to Christ, who alone can tame itKey Scripture: James 3:1-12The Terrible Responsibility  of Teachers (3:1)Given the greater influence that teachers have among God’s people, there is therefore a greater responsibility expected from themEven qualified leaders have in their body the one member that can ruin the whole thing—the tongueThe Temptation  We All Share (3:2-12)The power of the tongue for good (vv. 2-5a)The power of the tongue for evil (vv. 5b-8)A powerful dilemma (vv. 9-12)The sad reality is that our words as God’s people sometimes give life, and other times deplete it, which is completely contrary to our faithCutting, careless, and contaminated speech is out of step with our faith and contrary to God’s vision for his creationThe Only One Who Can Tame the TongueWe are to let the word of Christ dwell richly in us, so that its way of speaking becomes our manner of speechIs what I’m about to say true? Helpful? Holy? Productive?