James 3:1-12 – September 27

The Bible is basically a compilation of love letters from our Father in heaven, His loving words breathed onto each page. Over the next several months, as we study the letters of the Bible, Galatians through Jude, I pray that You will experience His eternal love in new ways and that it will transform you. These letters were written by Christian leaders, most of them by Paul, to establish and grow the Christian Church. For us, they are filled with love and gold nuggets on living a Christian life. Join along in our study by reading today’s scripture, journaling on it using SOAP, then sharing how God spoke to you today. Below is the NIV version of today’s reading, then below that is a SOAP from one of our study leaders. The Comments section on our website is an open forum for sharing, requesting prayer, and asking questions.

James 3:1-12 – Taming the Tongue

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

 

A New-Found Respect for Teachers   | Dyea Rowland

Scripture

James 3:1-3

Observation

Just like in the early church, to have a role as a “teacher” was and still is a very important one. Being in a position of power to be so influential also means taking on a greater judgment in the end.

Application

I have recently been blessed to be allowed to be with the children at a Christian school in the mornings. There is an hour and 30 minutes that I am able to spend with the elementary and middle school kiddos, before they head off to class. Every day is different – moods, behaviors, kiddos and clashes. I witnessed it to be true in what they say about “idle hands”. In regards to that I had to become creative…let’s say that morning time has become activity time. Even with that, comes a happy balance. Wanting to teach them to respect each other and the activities in a Godly way – working and building together, forgiving, sharing and encouraging each other. They know I am not a referee, but if it comes to deescalating a disturbance, they know grace would be granted one time. I am proud to say, all grades handle the activity centers well. I will be the first to say that it does take a special person to be a teacher. Being there in the mornings has helped me see things in a new perspective. Let me also say, I have a new-found respect for teachers. I will pray for teachers; they need all the prayers they can get.

Prayer

Father, You hold teachers to a high standard. I am impressing on these kids for an hour and a half a day through their school week; let me speak to them only Your truths and not my own ideas. Thank You for allowing me to be there and for all of our teachers. In Jesus’ name…Amen.

The Discover One Thing main website continues to follow the Life Journal Reading Plan which covers the whole Bible in one year. Click HERE to check out today’s Discover One Thing post.