Written by Paul J Bucknell on November, 02, 2018

James 3:1-12 A Bible Study on Guarding Our Words

BIG IDEA of the Passage:

We need to control our words so they match up with the Spirit’s purpose for our lives and can work with God to care for others.

Icebreaker Question:

What was a bad word that hurt you? What was a good word that encouraged you?

Bible Study Questions:

James 3:1-6 and Questions

1. Background check!

Go through James 1 and 2 and see how often James uses “speech” or “word.” Note what each verse says.

3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:1 

What qualities might James refer for being a good teacher?
James 3:2

1. “Stricter” implies that all will be judged according to their life choices–even believers. According to what standard will people be judged.
2. Why might teachers “incur a stricter judgment” (v.1)?
3. Is it not true that believers will equally gain eternal life?
   1. How does God then judge believers? Give a verse to back up your answer.
   2. What aspects of life are important and will make a difference in the rewards we get in eternity?

Write the phrase, “For we all stumble in many ways” in your own words (2).
 

James 3:3-6

1. What does stumble mean here?
   1. Would you agree that it is another way of saying, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23)?
   2. Do you ever think of yourself alone failing God? How might the word “all” help us realize that we are not alone in this struggle of life?
   3. The evil one uses this “all stumble” to generate an excuse for not excelling: “Because we all fail, then we cannot do anything about it.” Why is this excuse for our life insufficient?
2. James has a parallel truth in verse 2, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.”
   1. Can anyone, besides Jesus, be a perfect human being?
   2. What is one thing the verse says that must happen to become a fulfilled human being?
   3. How is what we say related to controlling our whole body?
   4. Think about your own life. When was the last time you said something bad, maybe in anger, and hurt someone?
3. James is reminding us of a higher standard for our words. When was the last time you used your words to encourage someone?

Starting in verse 3 there are four illustrations of the tongue. List each small item that makes a huge difference on something bigger. (Hint: one is the tongue itself.)

#1

#2

#3

#4

1. How can the tongue “defile the entire body” (6)?
2. What does it mean “sets on fire the course of our life” (6)?

James 3:7-12

3:7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh. (NASB)

James 3:7-8

What creatures are mentioned in verse 7? What does James state about them?
#1

1. What contrast does James make in verse 8 with those creatures?
2. 10.How does James speak about the tongue in verse 8? Describe each.

#2 James 3:9-12

What makes James so astounded in verses 9-12?

1. How does James seemingly state the tongue is unlike other things?
2. What should Christians’ speech be like?
   1. List at least five things that should be positively characteristic of a person’s speech.
   2. List at least five things that a believer should not say.

Discussion Questions:

1. Name at least two situations where you tend to say things wrongly?
2. Trace at least one situation where what someone said or how he/she said it set off a cascading series of troubles in his/her relationship with others.
3. Have you forgiven those who have hurt you through their words? Often, our pain from another’s speech becomes the poison that affects our speech towards that person and maybe to others. Describe one or more situations.
4. From this list: bitter speech, angry words, swear words, demeaning words, hateful speech, unkind words, lying words, name one area of speech that you would improve on and how.

Main Purpose:

Although every believer should carefully speak to others as if they are speaking to God for all people are made in God’s image, teachers will be held to a higher standard of life and speech.

Check out the BFF NT Digital Library, which includes all our New Testament resources.