Tongue the Terrible

James 3:1-6

3:1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

• Why did James jump immediately from being a teacher to controlling the tongue?
  
• How does this discourse on the tongue relate to the previous passage on claiming to have faith?
  
• In what areas do you have to struggle with your tongue?
  
• Why is the tongue so difficult to control?
  
• When has your tongue been like the fire in verse 6?
• When have you made disparaging remarks about someone because of their life situation?
  

Harold's Musings:
Yeah, I know I covered this before, but it is the next passage in line and, hey, it is an important issue to discuss. When I look at this passage in its context, something pops out. Earlier James talked about partiality and how we treat others. He then went to faith and works with an example of the needs of the poor not being met by words alone. Now he looks at teachers and tongue. Could he be considering the teacher who proclaims their faith and understanding of scripture but doesn't show it by action? Could it be that a teacher, who has a position of influence, is making remarks that show partiality and thereby teaches partiality? I've heard preachers and teachers make "humorous" remarks about groups of people. Doesn't that say to their audience that it is OK to think poorly of that group? What are you going to teach with your actions and tongue today? Partiality or God's love?