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The Epistle ofJames

Lesson 5“Faith and the Faithful Teacher”

James 3:1-12Page 12

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Overview of Chapter 3 This chapter deals with overly-ambitious

and self-serving teachers A threat not only to their own spirituality but

also to that of the entire church among whom they taught

Their apparent insincerity and inconsistent lives were a severe reflection on the image of the church among people of the world

Faithful teachers are important to the success of the gospel in converting the lost (See Philippians 2:15,16.)

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Identifying Marks of a Bad Teacher

The following material is taken from page 14 of the workbook.

1. They will manifest envy toward others (especially other teachers).

2. They will betray a desire for personal reputation through their teaching.

3. They will teach whatever doctrine(s) will enhance their reputation and position of influence.

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Identifying Marks of a Bad Teacher

(Continued)4. They will teach and defend doctrines that

clearly contradict plain Bible truth. They dare to “lie against the truth” (2Timothy 4:3,4).

5. Their “ministry” is beset with evil results among those whom they have taught.

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Identifying Marks of a Good Teacher

1. Their teaching is accompanied by exemplary personal conduct at all times. Their nature is consistent with God’s nature.

2. Their teaching is characterized by peace, not confusion and turmoil. They will hold unity at a premium. See Proverbs 6:16-19.

3. Their demeanor will be gentle, not harsh and hypercritical.

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Identifying Marks of a Good Teacher

(Continued)4. Their treatment of other people will be

uncompromising but willing to forego personal opinions for those of others.

5. Their attitude toward the erring is one of mercy, not resentment and bitterness. See 1Corinthians 9:22.

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The Background For This Chapter…

1. The Jews were accustomed to free speech in their synagogues (See Acts 13:15)

2. Churches had no rules for utilizing “teachers” as for elders and deacons Except when teachers were inspired

(See 1Cor. 14) 3. Scattered disciples had been preaching

freely “everywhere” (Acts 8:4)

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The Background For This Chapter…

(Continued)4. All faithful members are expected to

become teachers (Heb. 5:12; 2Tim. 2:2)5. The practice and expectation led some

into the sin of false teaching or into ineffective teaching.

(See 1Tim. 1:6,7; 1John 4:1)6. Others sought personal glory and

influence through teaching (2Cor. 12:14)

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Question

1. What “strange” instruction is given by James to his brethren concerning teaching? (vs. 1)

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

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Question

1a. Why did he give such advice? (vs. 1)

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.

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Question

2. What particular thing should a teacher strive not to do? (vs. 2)

2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

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Let not many of you become teachers…

1. Teachers will receive a stricter judgment than non-teachers (1) They affect the salvation of others as well as

their own (Matthew 15:14)2. It is vital that teachers “rightly divide”

[handle] the word of truth (2Tim. 2:15) 3. Teachers must be unceasingly dedicated

to imparting truth to others (2Tim. 2:2)

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Let not many of you become teachers…

(Continued)4. The remainder of this chapter deals with

teachers who were unqualified by insufficient knowledge, inappropriate motivation, or unworthy personal lives They were harmful to the cause of Christ “These things ought not so to be” (verse 10)

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Let not many of you become teachers…

(Continued)5. Lessons in chapter 3 apply to all abuses

of speech among Christ’s disciples They govern our verbal communication in

every life situation Apparently the abuses deal primarily with

false teachers who were guilty of causing spiritual harm to others

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Question

3. The tongue’s power is illustrated by James by “little” and “big” things (vs. 3-6):

Little Biga. Tongue a. Whole bodyb. b.c. c. d. d.

Bits Whole body Rudder Ship Little fire Great forest

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Let’s Read James 3:3-6 (NKJ)3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

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The Power of the Tongue

1. Large animals like horses are controlled by small instruments such as bits (vs. 3).

2. Great ships are directed by a very small rudder to overcome even the force of strong winds. A rudder properly used assures a safe voyage

for ship and cargo A rudder improperly used or out of control

invites disaster (4)

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The Power of the Tongue The power of the tongue greatly impacts our

own lives and the lives of others (5) It is only with singular difficulty that any of

us can successfully control its use Such control is indicative of a well-controlled

life in every respect It should be no surprise that one of the

smallest members of the physical body exerts the greatest impact over self and others since this phenomenon is not unique.

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Question

4. Where do sins of the tongue come from? (vs. 6)

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

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Question

5. According to James, how dangerous is the wrong use of the tongue? (vs. 8)

8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

We must keep it “bottled up with the cap on.”

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The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…

It sets on fire the course of nature (6) It is set on fire by hell (6)

“Hellish” impulses [temptations] It defiles [pollutes or corrupts] the whole

body (6) It cannot be tamed (8)

But, it can be controlled (3,4) It is an unruly evil (8) It is full of deadly poison (8)

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Question

6. What contradictory actions were practiced by some of those who had become “teachers”? (vs. 9, 10; see chapter 2:6.)

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

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The Inconsistent Use Of The Tongue The inconsistent use of the tongue is

highly symbolic of the inconsistency of false teaching and soul-saving teaching

Two opposite things should not come from the same source We are taught this by nature and by the Word

of God

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Cursing… Among the bad things the tongue can do is

cursing “Cursing” means to pronounce evil upon

someone or some thing When man provokes evil upon someone in

the name of God, such as asking God to damn, this is cursing

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Cursing… Man is forbidden to curse other men

(Rom. 12:14) He cannot judge another as to whether or not

he should be cursed He does not have the power to make a curse

valid even if he tries God has reserved this to Himself

God has the power to judge, to curse, and to make the curse effective (Gen. 3:14, 17-19)

God will curse those who preach another gospel (Gal. 1:8,9)

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Blessing… What is it to bless? “To bless” is to speak well of Christians are required to bless:

“Bless them that curse you” (Matt. 5:44) “Bless those who persecute you” (Rom. 12:14) “Bless those who revile you” (1 Cor. 4:12) “Bless things with the giving of thanks”

(1 Cor. 14:16) “Bless their brethren” (1 Peter 3:8,9) “Bless or praise God (James 3:9)

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Question

7. Two truths from the natural world show how wrong it is for teachers not to “practice what they preach”

What are these truths? (vs. 11,12)

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

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The Inconsistent Use Of The Tongue1. It is physically unnatural for bitter and sweet

water to flow from the same spring.

2. It is physically unnatural for the same vine to bear different kinds of fruit.

3. It is physically unnatural to find salt water and fresh water in the same source.

4. It is spiritually unnatural for a “sound” teacher to teach “unsound” doctrines (vs. 10-12).

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How to Control The Tongue… Verse 8 states that the tongue cannot be

tamed. Has God given us an impossible task in controlling our tongues?

No! God wants us to control our tongues A good pilot stays the course of his ship Since wild animals can be made gentle, so

can the tongue A small fire can be controlled and use in a

good way

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Tips to Control The Tongue… Be slow to speak (1:19) Bless God and men [even our enemies] Provide faithful instruction of God’s word Always speak the truth Rebuke and correct with the proper attitude Speak in “due season” [proper time and

place] Give a “soft answer” What else will help?

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Proverbs 15:1,2

“A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.”

Note: The Book of Proverbs contains much material on the use of the tongue – good and bad.

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James 3:1-3 (NKJ)

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.

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James 3:4-6 (NKJ)

4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

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James 3:7-10 (NKJ)

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

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James 3:11-12 (NKJ)

11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.