The tongue is a fire (3:6). The tongue, like fire, may be of untold blessing when under control, but when out of control, it can be the source o f inestimable sor row and ruin. It was announced over the radio recently, in connection with a fire prevention program, that the annual loss from fire in the United States amounted to the staggering sum of $1,000 per min ute. Who can estimate the loss mentally, morally, and spiritually, as a result of the uncontrolled use of the tongue? Its evil use spreads like a raging fire until the devastation is incalculable. List the evil uses of the tongue and then show how that fire may be extinguished! Submit yourselves . . . Humble your selves (4:7-10). These are the first and the last of ten imperative exhortations to be found in these four verses. Note each one carefully. The Spirit of God has put them here to show us what is necessary for our lives to fulfill God’s intention for them in this wicked world. 0 n 0 For the Children T he W ords I S ay (J ames 3:1-6, 9, 10, 13-18; A cts 4:1-10) M e m o r y V e r s e : “ M y mouth shall ut ter truth” (Prov. 8:7 R.V.). “ Tattletale! tattletale!” ; “ I don’t be lieve it” ; “ I’m going to tell Mother if I hear you say that word again!” Have such words been said to you recently? James told some Christians who lived long ago that “ if any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man.” Horses are controlled by small bits; ships are guided by small helms; peo ple often allow their small tongues to control them. Most of our sin and un happiness are caused by the ways in which we use our tongues. Some people use their tongues for cursing as well as for blessing, for Satan as well as for God. Peter, the disciple Who one night lied about his friendship with the Lord Jesus, used his tongue to witness bravely for his Saviour after the Holy Spirit came into his life. Peter was put into prison for preaching about Jesus’ resurrection. The next day the rulers questioned Peter. Rather than again deny his Lord, Peter confessed Him bravely. Peter’s tongue was changed because his heart was changed! People should be able to tell what kind of hearts we have by the words which we speak. Christian boys and girls dis honor their Lord when their tongues are allowed to tattle, lie, swear, or speak angry words. Each morning before they speak to anyone, Christians should pray: “ Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Let your Lord control your heart and your tongue that they may be used always for His glory. T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
NOVEMBER 2, 1947 CHRISTIAN SPEECH AND CONDUCT J as . 3 :1-6; 4:4-10
the gift of teaching, and who possess the full message of the gospel, should be engaged in this ministry. It is also plain from the statement of this verse that there are degrees of judgment when it comes to the matter of a person’s faith fulness in the things of God.
Outline and Exposition T he C hristian ’ s S peech ■ . (3 :1 -6) ,
Here is a warning to those who, be cause they have a natural fluency, ap point themselves as teachers, forgetting that the teacher faces heavier judgment than others (v. 1). All stumble in speech (v. 2 ). On one occasion at least Moses spoke unadvisedly, and other outstanding Christian leaders have had to apologize for their words. Only One never erred in His speaking—He who spake as “ never man spake.” A small bit controls the horse; a small rudder turns the ship; a small spark ignites the fire. So the tongue, though small, influences the whole body (vv. 3-5). It is a “little member and boasteth great things” and “ death and life are in the power o f the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). The tongue is dangerous when out of the control of the Holy Spirit (v. 6 ). It is the most influential member of the body, reaching to the ends of the earth and functioning there as easily as it does across the street. It can move one person alone, or start a vast multitude to action. It can also be “ a world of iniquity,” separating friends, blighting lives, break ing hearts. It “ defileth the whole body,” for angry speech induces discharge of poisons affecting the stomach, the heart, and the brain. T he C hristian ’ s C onduct (4:4-10) Here are described some hindrances to Christian conduct (vv. 4 -7 ): the world with its allurements making one an en emy of God; the flesh with its pride mak ing one resist God; the devil with his temptations driving one from God. Here also are given some helps to Christian conduct (vv. 7-10). If one resists the devil, he will flee; if one draws nigh to God, the Lord will make His presence known to him. The instructions to “be afflicted, and mourn, and weep” are given in the light of the evil discovered within man’s heart. When a person is right with God, he has the joy of the Lord within his heart. o n o Points and Problems Knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation (3 :1 ). The solemn responsibility of the teacher’s office is set forth in these words. A person should not seek the position of teacher until he has carefully considered what it entails. The teacher by his instruction may ac complish tremendous good, or he may do much evil, depending upon the nature of his teaching. Through right teaching, eternal blessing may result. By obscure teaching, earnest souls may be thrown into confusion. By false teaching, stu dents may be directed to destruction. Thus it is clear why only those who have Page Twenty *
I f any man offend [ stumble ] not in word, the same is a perfect man (3 :2 ). In other words, the man who knows how to guard his tongue and does so, is a fully developed spiritually-minded indi vidual. Listen to the average man talk for about five minutes, and you can judge his character pretty well. The mouth gives expression to the intents of the heart. Think over all your conversation of yesterday and see if it did not express accurately the kind of a person you are. Put your words on the scales of honest scrutiny, and estimate your worth as a Christian.
Outline and Exposition
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B. B. S utcliffe
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Points and Problems
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H omer A. K ent For the Children
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A llison A rrowood
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Lesson material is based upon ! ! outlines of International Sunday J ! School Lessons, copyrighted by the | j International Council of Religious j j Education; used by permission. j
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