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BACKGROUND
First, some background. We’re saying goodbye to Paul now. For the rest of our study this year, we’ll be looking at the writings of a number of other leaders of the ancient Church. Who was James? This is not the James, the son of Zebedee, John’s brother. You know, Peter, James, and John. No, this is a different James. He was actually Jesus’s brother. Or at least his half-brother. Many don’t realize that Mary and Joseph had other children of their own after Jesus. They’re mentioned in the gospels, Mark 6:3 is one that place you can see that. But one of the things that makes the book of James so special is that of all the writers in the New Testament, I believe we can safely assume that James knew Jesus the best. Not only did he spend all three years of Jesus’s ministry with him, like the other apostles, but his entire life. He grew up with Jesus in the same household. He got to watch him daily as a child, a teenager, a young man, and into his 20’s. James had a deep understanding of Christ’s character and therefore is uniquely qualified to teach us what it means to follow Him. And it shouldn’t surprise us that a major theme of his book is becoming more like Christ. And I’m sure you can imagine how that might be to have Jesus Christ as your literal older brother. It would be wonderful but also maybe a bit intimidating. You know, “can’t you be more like your older brother?” But by reading the book of James, you get the sense that he really admired and sought deeply to follow the example of his big brother.
A few other things about James, It’s believed that James was the first bishop of Jerusalem, and we know that Jesus made a special appearance to James after his resurrection. You can see that in 1 Corinthians 15:7.
Also, I sometimes call the book of James the book of W’s. There are a lot of various counsels in James, but there are a few ideas that he seemed to gravitate more particularly towards and, interestingly enough, they all start with the letter W. They’re the W’s of James. Works, Words, Wisdom, Wealth, and the World. You’re gonna see these ideas come up again and again in his writing.
ICEBREAKER
So to get us started, James uses a lot of imagery in his writing, Biblical object lessons so to speak, things like waves, bridles, ship rudders, fire, fruit, mist, farmers, flowers, but I would like to use one of his unique object lessons to introduce his book. This would be my icebreaker. If I were standing in front of you I would hold out a mirror and ask: What do you use a mirror for? And I can imagine hearing some of you say, "To show me what I look like, to help me get ready, To look for things that I can fix about my image, like combing my hair into place, or straightening my tie, or for girls, fixing my make-up, making sure my mascara isn’t running”. We look into mirrors because we want to appear a certain way. They show us what we look like, but also help us to fix the flaws.
Well, James used the image of a mirror to teach us something about the gospel and his word for mirror is “glass” in vs. 23, that’s what that word means, you know, like a looking glass. But I have a few questions for you about these verses. I want you to study and ponder James 1:22-25 with the following three questions in mind:
1. What does James compare a mirror to? There’s a specific phrase in there that he uses to tell us what the mirror is. Can you find it?
What are the two different kinds of people that look into the mirror?
What point do you feel James is trying to make with this object lesson?
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
All right, question #1. What does James compare the mirror to? It’s in verse 25. The answer is “the perfect law of liberty”. What’s he talking about there? What’s the perfect law of liberty? Joseph Fielding Smith tells us that:
“The gospel of Jesus Christ is the perfect law of liberty [see James 1:25]; it will lead man to the highest state of glory and exalt him in the presence of our Heavenly Father if he is willing to listen to the counsels of those whom the Lord has appointed to guide them” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1968, 125). Joseph Fielding Smith.
So it’s the gospel! That has got to be one of the best synonyms for "The Gospel" I’ve ever heard of. I suggest we stop calling it the gospel and start calling it the perfect law of liberty. Instead of saying “Go out and live the gospel”, maybe we could go out and say, "Go out and live the perfect law of liberty, Missionaries would teach from the "Preach my perfect law of liberty" manual. And we’d all go to “Perfect law of liberty doctrine” class during the second hour of church. What that phrase teaches me is that are two things that following God’s law will lead me to—perfection, and liberty. Satan is all about bondage, and addiction, and a loss of agency, while God’s law is all about freedom, and joy, and an increased power to act.
Now question #2. What are the two different kinds of people that look into that mirror? That look into the gospel? Did you find that? You’ve got hearers, and doers.
And then, what’s the point you feel James is making here? Here’s how I see it.
One that is merely a hearer is like somebody who looks into the gospel, the perfect law of liberty, or comes in contact with God’s word, and sees who he or she is meant to be, but then walks away and completely forgets what they should reflect. They saw the changes that they needed to make, but then never make any. They forget the image. Every week we attend church, we are looking into the mirror, every time we study our scriptures, we are looking into the mirror, every time we listen to general conference, we are looking into the mirror. No when we walk away from that mirror, do we remember the image that we saw? Or do we quickly forget the type of person you are meant to be?
On the other hand, the doer, looks into that mirror and sees who he or she is meant to be. But instead of forgetting, they “continue” therein. They walk away striving to become that image, to conform their thoughts and words and deeds to that image. And what is the outcome for that person? They’re blessed.
Now I want to suggest something about this scriptural object lesson to you. When you look into a mirror you will see a face, your face. And, when you look into the mirror of “the perfect law of liberty” you also see a face. But I don’t think it’s necessarily your face in the mirror that you see. Instead, I believe it would be the face of the person who truly lived that law. And if you had to choose a face that best represents the perfect law of liberty, somebody who truly lived up to its perfect reflection, whose face would you see? It would be Jesus wouldn’t it.
And that to me is the hook of the lesson. Reflecting Christ. James is inviting to ask; How can I reflect Christ better? How can I receive HIS image in MY countenance like Alma says in Alma 5:14? And James will answer that for you. You’re going to be taught from a man who knew Him , Jesus, better than almost anybody else at that time. A man who watched him daily throughout his life. James is going to teach us how to reflect Christ. If we were to just go through and read the entire book of James with that in mind, we would find a blueprint for reflecting Christ.
Before continuing, a quick note about James’s style. Now you all know how much I love Paul. And we have been studying his words for what the last 4 or 5 months? I hate to say it, but it’s kind of refreshing to hear the gospel preached from a different approach, a different personality. And James couldn’t be more different. Where Paul is very diplomatic, careful, tactful, and logical, James is very direct, commanding, imperative, and straightforward. I call James the Nike Apostle; you know what I mean by that. Just do it. He’s all about action. He’s more about walking the walk, than just talking the talk. He’s not interested in theory, or opinion, or suggestions. He wants action. Now this may be a bit of an exaggeration, but where Paul is a more of a gentle tug, James is a punch in the stomach. A loving punch in the stomach, but a punch, nonetheless. And I’m not saying that one way is better than the other. They’re just different, and some people may respond better to the Paul approach, and others to the James approach. But more than anything, James wants us to be doers of the word. His older brother was a doer, he saw Him LIVE the Gospel. Jesus didn’t just talk the talk. He walked the walk, and he expects us to do the same.
If you want to get a taste of that message, he probably says it most plainly in James 2:14-18
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
(Now that’s kind of a comical example isn’t it. Can you imagine walking up to a homeless person on the street that was cold and hungry and saying: here, let me help you, all you need are some blankets and some food, and then everything will be ok! All right. That’s the solution! Have a nice day! And then you walk away, leaving them there as you found them. That’s like faith without works. It’s silly)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
So in that spirit, actually doing something because of the word, here is how I suggest we approach the book of James. In a handout, I’m going to give you a list of possible situations that you may or may not find yourself in, and you get to pick the one or two that apply most to you. And then James is going to give you a “scriptural prescription”, his solution and counsel that I feel best addresses those circumstances. So pick your scenarios and then, read James’s words slowly, carefully, and more than once. Make sure that you ponder what he is saying, inviting the Spirit to accompany you, and let it sink deep. And then I invite you to make an action plan based on what you’ve learned. To be a doer, not just a hearer, to back your faith up with works, to respond to the mirror of “the perfect law of liberty”, to reflect Christ and receive his image in your countenances.
Scripture Prescriptions
So here they are:
· I’m struggling with a lot of hardships and challenges in my life right now. Why me? James 1:2-4
· I’m feeling lost and confused. I really need some help to know what I should do. James 1:5-6
· I love money. I want more! James 1:9-11
· I am really wrestling with a particularly difficult temptation right now. What can I do? James 1:12, 4:7
· I find myself being drawn towards worldly fashions, entertainment, and opinions. Is there anything that could help me? James 1:21, 4:4
· I find myself treating people differently based on their income, appearance, or social status. Is that ok? James 2:1-9
· I live most of the commandments and standards of the church, but there are some that I don’t. God will excuse me in those areas, won’t he? James 2:10
· There is someone I care about deeply that is struggling right now and I feel helpless to do anything about it. Is there something I can do for them? James 5:16
So if you don’t mind, I’m going to try and channel James’ personality a little bit here, and I’m going to go through each question and very briefly describe what I feel James wants you to do to reflect Christ, and I’m going to do it in a bit more of a direct tone. Since James didn’t feel the need to be diplomatic, neither will I.
I’m struggling with a lot of hardships and challenges in my life right now. Why me?
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; (which the JST changes to “many afflictions” So we’re not talking about temptation here, but trials, hardships, challenges)
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
So, you’re facing a lot of trials, accept them! In fact, James takes it a step further, find joy or in your trials. Paul was a great example of that attitude as well. But what can help us to face our trials in that way? Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. That’s one of the great blessings of hardship. Trials produce patience. And what does patience in trials lead to? If we let patience have her perfect work, what will she create for you? She will make you perfect and entire, wanting nothing. They beget spiritual growth and maturity. Now I don’t want to minimize anybody’s trials, but I think it’s unrealistic to expect a challenge free life. This life is not for “happily ever after”. That phrase is decidedly reserved for the next. And those who face their trials with faith, and joy, and determination develop far greater in character than those who only experience ease and luxury. Do you know anyone like that? People who have faced great difficulties with poise and optimism? They’re probably some of the most “complete”, insightful, and thoughtful people that you know of. One who reflects Christ recognizes the value of affliction. If we were to rid ourselves completely of our troubles and trials, we might eliminate the only forces that can forge us into our true excellence. Like Joseph Smith once said :
“I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain; and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated force against religious bigotry . . . backed by mobs, blasphemers, licentious and corrupt men and women—all hell knocking off a corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, (Discourse to Saints, May 1843; DHC 5:401.)
Hopefully we too can be rough stones rolling. We can allow our trials to polish and perfect us in patience.
I’m feeling lost and confused. I really need some help to know what I should do.
James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
Now we could have a wonderful lesson about how this verse inspired Joseph Smith and set in motion the Restoration of the church and that would be fantastic and fitting thing to do. However, since we’re focused on how the Book of James can change us. What does that verse mean for you? Do you lack wisdom? Do you feel lost and confused, as Joseph did? Is there something you don’t understand or are you have doubts about? Is there some guidance you are seeking? Well, do something about it. Ask God. Kneel down in prayer and ask! He’s not going to upbraid you. That means he’s not going to criticize, or rebuke, or censure you for asking. He’s not an angry, indifferent, or uncaring God. No, he’s a God that gives liberally. Some synonyms for liberally? Generously, abundantly, freely. It shall be given you! And yes, I know that that may be a little simplistic of a way of stating it. There’s some nuance to that truth. That doesn’t mean that if you pray, you will get exactly what you want. BUT, I do sincerely believe that God answers ALL faithful prayers. The answer may take time, and the answer may not be what you want it to be, but He will answer. He will give you wisdom. Under one condition—that you ask in faith, nothing wavering. And I think you can read that in two ways. It could be, have faith that you will receive an answer. I think that’s how we usually interpret that. But I think it could also mean that you are asking with the intention to act on the answer if it is received. Joseph Smith is such a good example of this. He said in Joseph Smith-History,"12 Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine. It seemed to enter with great force into every feeling of my heart. I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did; for how to ACT I did not know,” But once he did receive his answer, he certainly acted on it. Moroni said to pray with real intent. Intent to act on the answer. So, you feeling lost and confused, time to hit your knees. Let that passage of scripture come with power into YOUR heart with great force.
I love money. I want more! James 1:9-11
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
Now you could also include chapter 5:1-6 with this one, but I’m not going to do them here. They’re a little harsh. He kind of goes off on the rich and maybe that’s because it was a particular problem in the congregations he was teaching. But, don’t worry, there are enough other verses in the scriptures that teach us that it is possible to be rich and righteous. It’s just kind of hard.
So what are these verses in chapter 1 teaching us? If our hearts are set on riches, then we need to recognize the true value of wealth. It is fleeting. That’s what those verses are saying. Like the sun withers away the grass, your riches can be here today, and gone tomorrow. It will not last forever. And even if we don’t lose them in this life, even if we die rich, we can’t take them with us. Our wealth perishes with us. Our bank accounts, the size of our house, our bottom line, will mean absolutely nothing in the next life. God does not take our wealth into account at the judgment. Death is the great equalizer. As verse 9 says, the poor or “brother of low degree” will be exalted, and the rich will be made low—meaning they will be equal. That hierarchy of social classes will not exist there. So, the person that reflects Christ, understands that wealth is just not that important. Think about Jesus, was he worried about wealth? No. He began his life humble and poor, born in a stable, worked as a meager carpenter, and then spent the years of his ministry walking the dusty roads of Judea teaching and relying on His father to provide the necessities of life for him. Consider the lilies of the field” (Matthew 6:28), he said, “Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.” Jesus understood that money, though necessary and important, should be low on our list of priorities, not concern #1.
I am really wrestling with a particularly difficult temptation right now. What can I do?
James 1:12, 4:7
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
So what do we need to do in this situation? Resist temptation. Just say no. I know the Joseph Smith Translation changes it to resist temptation, but I also like the word endure. We need to learn to resist and endure temptation. We have to resist it time and time again, and endure the temptation to the end. Saying no once will not be enough, so don’t let your guard down. The best way to get rid of temptation is not to give into it, but to resist it. And what does the Lord promise those that resist? Blessed is that man or woman. They shall receive “the crown of life.” And that could mean eternal life, but it could also mean, a good mortal life here on earth. Sin diminishes, impairs, and complicates our lives. Enduring the temptation, though tough, will simplify and enrich our quality of life.
Also, James tells us that when we resist the devil, he will flee from us. That means, in many cases, temptations get easier to resist the more you do it. You know, there are certain temptations that the devil has just given up on with me. For example. It doesn’t feel like Satan really tries to tempt me with breaking the Word of Wisdom. It’s not hard for me. I don’t feel pulled in that direction at all. I don’t walk by a bar or a coffee shop and feel drawn towards them. I don’t have to tell my wife “Hold me back, I’m afraid I might go in there.” I think Satan has recognized that that just isn’t going to work on me. Now he’s got plenty of other areas to work with, but he’s not stupid. He’s not going to waste his time on something that has no possibility of success. Now if I could just have that same resolve and attitude in all areas of my life, maybe he’d leave me alone completely. So, let’s tell Satan to get lost. We’ve got better things to do with our time. Resist him enough and he’ll spend his time on others where he feels he’s got a better chance.
I find myself being drawn towards worldly fashions, entertainment, and opinions. Is there anything that could help me?
James 1:21,27, 4:4
James 1:21 (And this verse has one of my favorite phrases for wickedness in it. See if you can catch it.)
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Too wrapped up in the world? Well, lay it aside, get rid of the superfluity of naughtiness, or the overabundance of malice or evil as the footnote suggests. And turn to the word—the engrafted, or imbedded, established, deeply rooted word. Stop opening social media apps so much and start opening your scriptures more. Stop watching crummy movies, and start watching general conference. Stop listening to the celebrities and social media personalities, and start listening to the Spirit and the prophets. Lay aside the naughtiness, and pick up the goodness, with meekness. A person that reflects Christ seeks to separate themselves from the world.
Like it says in 1:27
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
To be a religious person is to be different from the world. Unspotted from it. Others should recognize that there is something unusual, peculiar, or different about us. There have been times when people have said, “You must be a Mormon, right.” I think that’s a good thing!
And then 4:4
4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
So, we can’t have it both ways. No man can serve two masters. We shouldn’t live one way on Sunday, and then another way the rest of the week.
I find myself treating people differently based on their income, appearance, or social status. Is that ok?
James 2:1-9
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing (or splendid or fine clothing as the footnote suggests), and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
6 But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
What should we do to reflect Christ here? Treat all people the same. Remove all the labels and just strive to see all people as God sees them—sons and daughters of God with divine potential. I mean, do we serve missions to foreign countries saying how much we loved the people, but then get upset and unaccepting when similar people move into our neighborhoods and communities here at home. Do we only gravitate towards people that are LIKE US? Jesus didn’t do that. He accepted all. Whether they were Jews, Romans, Samaritans, publicans, fisherman, men, women, rich, poor, wicked, or righteous. He taught all, helped all, and challenged all. We can strive to do the same. Listen to James, fulfill the ROYAL LAW. I like that description. The future Kings and Queens of eternity, gods and goddesses live the ROYAL LAW, which is: Love your neighbor as yourself.
I live most of the commandments and standards of the church, but there are some that I don’t. God will excuse me in those areas, won’t he?
James 2:10
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Now you have to be careful with this one. I don’t think he means that if you aren’t perfect in all areas of the gospel, that you might as well be guilty of breaking every commandment in the law. If we look at it that way, we’ll just get discouraged and give up. But I don’t think that’s what James means. It’s an attitude thing. I think he means, don’t let obedience in one part of the law excuse disobedience in another part of the law. Don’t say, you know, I watch all kinds of terrible movies and television programs, but hey, it’s all right, at least I don’t break the Word of Wisdom. Or, yeah, I may not hardly ever go to church, but hey, I do pay my tithing. Or, I’m a pretty decent member of the church most of the time, so what if I I’m dishonest in my business dealings. It’s our attitude towards the commandments that matters. The person who seeks to reflect Christ strives to live all of God’s commandments. Jesus was perfect in this way. He never offended even in one point. Now. we won’t be perfect in all of them, but we can at least not justify sin in one area of the law because of our obedience in another.
There is someone I care about deeply that is struggling right now, and I feel helpless to do anything about it. Is there something I can do for them?
James 5:16
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
So there’s somebody you love that needs help? There is something you can do! One of those things that you can do is pray for them. I’ve seen some pretty cynical things out there about sending our “thoughts and prayers” to those in need. And, you know, there’s some truth to that. We don’t want to just send empty thoughts and prayers when we could actually do something tangible to help others. But on the other hand, I don’t think that saying “I’ll pray for you” is an empty gesture. Can our prayers really make a difference in the life of another person? James tells us that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. That’s the miracle of prayer. Is it possible that a person on their knees next to a bed can have an actual real-life effect on another person that is far from that location. Simply put, YES. It can and does make a difference. Our prayers can alter the natural course of human events. And we may not always know when it does, because we just don’t know the way things may have happened differently had we not prayed. We only know what does happen, not what could have happened. So keep praying! Thoughts and prayers DO mean something, they “availeth much”. The person that reflects Christ prays for those in need. Jesus did that all the time. We see many examples of Jesus praying for others in the gospels. The great intercessory prayer from John 17 comes to mind and then how can we forget how he prayed on behalf of all mankind in Gethsemane. And we know just how much that availed all of us—how “effectual” that was.
TRUTH
Well, there we have it. A wonderful list, from a literal brother of the Savior, of things we can do to reflect Christ—to receive his image in our countenances—to become DOERS of the word, and not just hearers only. Here’s a quick recap of what we can do. We can:
Recognize that our afflictions will perfect and polish us
Pray with faith when we lack wisdom
Realize that wealth just isn’t that important
Resist and endure temptation
Keep ourselves unspotted from the world
Treat all people the same
Not allow our obedience in one area excuse disobedience in another
Pray fervently on behalf of others
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES/CONCLUSION
Now we know what James wants us to DO. So, the real question, are we going to DO anything about it? Which of the two mirror people are we going to be right now? Are we going to walk away from the “perfect law of liberty” that we’ve just been looking at for the last 30 minutes and forget what manner of person we are? Are we going to be hearers only? Or are we going to be doers of the word. And I don’t know how appropriate it is to end with a Michael Jackson lyric, but here goes anyway. I think it captures the spirit of what we’re talking about here.
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror, I’m asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.”
Michael Jackson (Man in the Mirror)
And I believe that we can make a change and a difference in this world. Let’s start with the person we see in the mirror.
SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK
Well, there is one other area of reflecting Christ in the perfect law of liberty that I left out of that activity because I feel it deserves its own brief lesson all by itself. It’s a major theme of James that we haven’t discussed yet. In the last activity we covered his thoughts on Works, Wealth, Wisdom, and the World, but there’s one more W that we haven’t looked at yet. And that’s WORDS. James has a lot to say about the power of our WORDS.
ICEBREAKER
So for an icebreaker, two ideas here. One, pair up your students with a partner. You tell them that you’re going to give them some time to talk about what they did over the weekend, but there’s a catch. Before they start that conversation, they are to reach up and hold their tongues between their fingers. And then just let them try that activity for a minute. And it’s really funny because as they try to speak with their tongues in their fingers they sound ridiculous, and you can hardly understand a word their saying. Now once they’ve had a chance to do that, you can ask what that activity just taught them. One point that should be made is this. That activity has just proven that when we speak, it’s hard to hold our tongues, isn’t it. Then you could ask: What’s another way to “hold our tongues” that’s even harder to do? When we’re upset with someone, when we feel like we’re better than someone, when someone does or says something that we think is stupid, it’s hard to “hold our tongues” and not say something that we’re dying to say, but we know we shouldn’t.
But there’s something else about our words that we need to consider when we’re tempted in this way. And now you pull out a tube of toothpaste. Invite someone to come to the front and squeeze out all the toothpaste from the tube onto a paper plate. Once they’ve done this, invite them to now put it all back. Just take the toothpaste and clean it up by putting it back into its tube. Of course, they won’t be able to. And if they try, it’s going to get really messy. Well, how is that like our words? When we’ve squeezed out unkind or destructive words from our tongues, you can’t put them back. Once they’re out, they’re out. And the process of trying to fix those words or clean them up after we’ve let them out can be really messy.
Now I’m going to give you even one more activity. If you’re teaching adults you may not want to use those two previous ideas. So try this. You can share the following poorly worded advertisements that have been found in actual print.
Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.
Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated? Come here first!
Iraqui Head Seeks Arms
Squad Helps Dog Bite Victim
Miners Refuse to Work After Death
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TRANSITION
The point is this. Our words matter. Even little words can make a big difference. They can have a profound effect. Well, James has a few illustrations or object lessons of his own to make this point.
SEARCH
The Problem
I want you to study James 3:2-8 and see if you can find the 5 different objects that James compares our tongues to in these verses. And while you’re doing that, ponder what those objects teach us about the power of our words. So here we go.
2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
What were the five objects?
A bridle or bit, same thing, the small device that we put into horses’ mouths to control them.
A helm or a ships rudder is what he’s referring to there.
Fire. He makes the point that even a little fire, or a tiny spark can set a whole forest ablaze. If you look at the footnote for the word “matter” in verse 5, a better translation for that word is forest. I remember hearing once that a very large forest fire was started by the tiny little sparks of a chain dragging along the pavement of the highway.
He compares our words to wild beasts
And then finally, in verse 8, deadly poison.
What truths do those object lessons teach us about the tongue? Like the bit or the rudder or the sparks, they’re very small, but can have a profoundly significant effect. Just like our words. It’s like the negative side of the principle “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass”. Small words can make a huge difference. And then what do fire, wild beasts, and poison all have in common? They can all be very destructive. It’s pretty clear that James felt the tongue had a lot of power for evil and destruction.
I might then ask my students: Can you give me any examples of this? The destructive power of the tongue?
Well, just consider how destructive the following very short sentences could be:
You are stupid
You don’t matter
You will never be good enough
I will never forgive you
I hate you
Just a few short syllables. Simple soundwaves traveling through the air. But my, what a destructive effect they can have. We may be fond of saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” but I’m afraid that’s just wishful thinking. And sure, maybe we do need to develop a thicker skin when it comes to these kinds of things coming from strangers, or our enemies, or ignorant people. But what if they come from our spouses, our family members, people we look up to? They hurt.
And I would say, I mean, look what Hitler’s tongue was able to do, or Stalin, or Mao. These tyrants had a great ability to speak and to speak well and powerfully, and with that ability, they caused a lot of pain and destruction in our world. They burned their world down with their words.
Perhaps you've seen the destructive power of the tongue in your own life. I had a sister who really struggled in Junior High school. Why? Because of the tongues of others. I remember seeing her come home from school and you could just tell that she had endured a day of poisonous fiery tongues. I still remember a time when my tongue unleashed damage. When I was younger I was playing a video game and had made it quite far into the game, farther than I’d ever made it before. And my little brother came in and was throwing a ball around near the console. I told him to stop because I just knew that the ball would hit the console and pop out the game and ruin my progress. Well he didn’t stop and sure enough, the ball ended up hitting the game and resetting it. Oh, I was so angry, and I tell you, I unleashed a barrage of the rudest, meanest things that I could think of to my little brother. By the time I was done, he ran to his room with tears in his eyes. Well, it only took me 5 minutes to calm down and realize what I’d done. And I felt terrible. I went to his room and apologized and gave him a hug, but I tell you what, I still feel guilty to this day for what I said. I wish I could take it back. But it’s like the tube of toothpaste. We can’t put them back no matter how hard we try. We can do some things to try and clean it up, but it’s often messy. Our tongues are powerful.
The Solution
So James has some advice for us. Some solutions to this problem. See if you can find them in the following verses.
James 1:19
James 3:10-12
James 4:11-12
James 5:13-16
James 1:19
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
Unfortunately most of us do just the opposite, we’re swift to speak, slow to hear. Have you ever heard the saying: God gave us two ears, but only one mouth, because we ought to listen twice as much as we speak. I believe that the art of being a good listener is essential in reflecting Christ. As I read the gospels, I get the sense that Jesus did a lot of listening and observing. Many of his teachings were short, concise, and to the point. Think about the story of the woman taken in adultery. He hardly says anything in that story. 3-4 sentences are all, and yet, through it, he teaches one of the most impactful messages of his ministry. He was always asking questions, and then listening carefully and intently to the answers people gave him. Like Stephen R. Covey has suggested, Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Our ears will always get us into less trouble than our tongues. Perhaps it really is preferable to let the cat to get your tongue.
James 3:10-12
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
So, some more object lessons here. A spring can’t produce both sweet and bitter water at the same time. Fig trees don’t grow olives and grapevines don’t grow figs. That would be unnatural. What’s his point? Is there consistency in the way we use our tongues? Does the same tongue that gives a priesthood blessing, later make violent threats to his fellowman? Does the same tongue that sings a lullaby to a baby, later spread gossip and rumor about a neighbor? Does the same tongue that blesses the sacrament, later tell a dirty joke? Does the same tongue that utters a prayer to God, later demean and criticize a family member? Does the same tongue that bears testimony of the gospel of Christ, later curse and swear at a coworker? My opinion about these kinds of situations is the same as James, “My brethren, these things ought not so to be”. A fountain can’t produce both sweet and bitter water at the same time. It’s not natural. Neither is using your tongue in a heavenly way, and then an evil way. Like my Mom used to say: "If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all”.
James 4:11-12
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Gossip, destructive criticism, biting sarcasm, bullying, and judgmental comments are not reflective of a true disciple of Christ. We are not the lawgiver. We are not to be the judges of others. That’s Christ’s job, not ours.
James 5:13-16
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:
15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.
16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
So what are the solutions here? These are examples of better things we can do with our tongues. Good uses of our words. Use them to pray, to sing hymns, to give a blessing, to confess our faults. These things illustrate the positive, building, constructive, saving power of our tongues. Let’s use them like this, to build, and not tear down.
TRUTH
Our tongues have the ability to do great evil or great good. If we can learn to control our words, we will build and bless, not demean, and destroy.
LIKEN THE SCRIPTURES
A quick application handout. It just has a few questions for your students to ponder and write some things that will help them to apply what they’ve learned.
What are some negative uses of your words that you feel you need to work on? (Swearing, gossip, bullying, put-downs, bragging, etc.) What’s your plan for controlling your tongue better?
How could you use your words for good this week at home with your family?
How could you use your words for good this week with your peers or coworkers?
How could you use your words for good this week on social media or through texting?
Who is someone you know right now who could use a compliment or a thank you? What will you say to them? When will you say it to them?
CONCLUSION
So let’s learn to hold our tongues, as hard as it is to do. So many object lessons we could point to here. Keep the toothpaste in rather than making a big mess. Bridle your words. Use them like a rudder to steer your whole body in the right direction. Snuff out the sparks before the fire begins, tame the wild beast of your tongue, bottle the poison, and set it on a high shelf, impossible to get to. Let our mouths ever be fountains of sweet water, rather than bitter. And if we struggle with this, then let’s pray for help from God to help us to control our tongues. When we’re tempted to blurt out things we shouldn’t, he can help us to think before speaking. He can help us to control our tongues and say things that build others up instead of tearing them down. Words have power. May we ever be swift to hear, and slow to speak.
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