Introduction

• Proverbs 12:13

James 3:1-12

• James 3:1 – It’s good to teach, but be careful when you do! See II Timothy 2:2.
• James 3:2 – If you can control your tongue, you are doing great! This is a real challenge.
• James 3:3-4 – The tongue is small, but can control big things. See Proverbs 18:21.
• James 3:5 – A small uncontrolled fire can lead to great destruction.
• James 3:6 – The tongue has great potential for sin. See Matthew 15:18. The tongue can invite trouble into my life.
• James 3:7-8 – Our tongue is never completely tamed. It is a daily effort.
• James 3:9-12 – Nature is a good example of consistency. We should strive to show the same consistency with good speech.

Sometimes, just be quiet.

• Job 38:2; 40:3
• Proverbs 10:19; 12:13; 13:3
• The more you talk, the more opportunity for sin.

The key to improving your speaking is improving your thinking.

• Matthew 12:33-37 – The tongue and the heart are connected.
• I Corinthians 16:8

Be proactive: find a way to give a compliment.

• James 3:9-10
• Romans 16:1, 3, 6-7 – Paul compliments these people and shows a good example of encouraging communication.
• I Corinthians 1:1-4 – Paul found a way to speak positively about the Corinthians, despite their problems.