The Study Hour



WINTER QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2017-2018

THEME – GENUINE FAITH IS EVIDENCED BY OUR ACTIONS

UNIT III – GODLY FAITH

“THE INFLUENCE OF THE BELIEVER'S SPEECH”

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Sunday School Lesson XI – February 11, 2018

Presented by Rev. Frank A. Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher

Lesson Text: James 3:1-12

Required Reading: James 3:1-18

Motto Text: James 3:8-10, “But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

Reliable Resources: Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Libronix Electronic Library; Outline Bible (Wilmington); Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament

INTRODUCTION

Many times, we’ve read on the back of delivery trucks “How’s my driving?” Usually, there is a telephone number and truck number to report any discourteous operation of the vehicle. But what about the courtesy or other behavior of the Christian’s speech? To whom does a person complain when the believer has used his position in a discourteous way? James writes to us this week to assure us that the believer must regulate and operate his speech under the control of the Holy Spirit. James uses several things in the believers’ life to fully illustrate this teaching. I will attempt to zoom in on three major areas in order to teach the lesson: "THE INFLUENCE OF THE BELIEVER'S SPEECH."

Anticipated Power Points:

• The Influence of the Believer's Speech in Teaching. James 3:1-2

• The Influence of the Believer's Speech in Everyday Talking. James 3:3-8

• The Influence of the Believer's Speech Should only be Spiritually Trained. James 3:9-12

“A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life.

A bitter word may hate instill, A brutal word may smite and kill.

A gracious word may smooth the way. A joyous word may light the day.

A timely word may lessen stress. A loving word may heal and bless.” Author Unknown

LESSON OUTLINE

I. The Influence of the Believer's Speech in Teaching. James 3:1-2

James opens Chapter 3 by describing the important role of the speech of a teacher. After all, teachers are God’s servants who have a great influence on the lives and outcome of many. He stresses that one should not be in a rush to hold the position of a teacher. Why not? Because even though the prestige of the position was rated among the highest of the New Testament times, the consequence of judgment was very high against one who failed at the position! II Corinthians 5:10 tells us, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” James continues in verse 2 to declare that every Christian slips and falls in their daily lives, even the best! But those who are striving to be teachers must remember that the mark of a mature saint is that he is able to control his tongue! The controlled tongue is an example of a controlled life and that individual is perfect, or spiritually mature!

II. The Influence of the Believer's Speech in Everyday Talking. James 3:3-8

James describes by illustration that small things can have great influence over larger things, in order to give documentation of our speech in everyday talking!

A. When in control the tongue is like bits and rudders. vss. 3-4

James illustrates how items as small as horses’ bits or ships’ rudders can be placed strategically to control them. Though both of these things are small compared to the size of that which they control, these influences master the object. And God placed the tongue in a strategic position…behind 32 teeth, a set of lips, and an overseeing spirit!

B. When out of control the tongue is an item of mass destruction! vss. 5-8

1. It is small compared to the greatness of the human body, but its influence is awesomely great by comparison! According to James the tongue has the power of good and evil, to bless God or even curse men! vs. 5

2. We understand that the tongue out of control is like a spark in a dry forest. It can kindle a great flame of mass destruction! When this kind of result is seen, it has been influenced by the “wicked one” and not the Spirit of the Lord! Beloved, the tongue’s influence is far greater than its size in proportion to the whole body! vs. 6

3. Without question the tongue, left to the control of the natural man, is out of control and cannot be bridled to bless the things of God. No wonder there are so many scriptures to assist the believer in its use! Psalm 34:13 says, “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.” Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us, “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 10:11, “The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.” And Proverbs 15:1-2, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.” vss. 7-8

Beloved, HOW IS YOUR SPEECH? Remember, the tongue is a small thing with great influence!

III . The Influence of the Believer's Speech Should only be Spiritually Trained. James 3:9-12

A. Naturally speaking, our speech can be righteous or ridiculous.

According to Wiki.answers, both the average man and woman speak about 16,000 words a day! Now naturally speaking, that's a lot of opportunities to error in our speech, so remember what God created us for in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Now let us validate our speech according to Proverbs 12:19, “The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.”

CLOSING

According to Roxane S. Lulofs, beware of undisciplined speech, for it causes HARM: "Hit And Run Mouth"!

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Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite City, LA

Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179

Phone: (504) 486-7876

Website:

TV Broadcast: WHNO TV-20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: February 18, 2018 Acts 9:36-43

Please join us each Wednesday noon at Bibleway where Pastor Davis teaches the Sunday School lesson.

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