Main Point: Beware of the danger your tongue can do, and surrender it to Christ, who alone can tame it

Key Scripture: James 3:1-12

The Terrible Responsibility of Teachers (3:1)

Given the greater influence that teachers have among God’s people, there is therefore a greater responsibility expected from them

Even qualified leaders have in their body the one member that can ruin the whole thing—the tongue

The Temptation We All Share (3:2-12)

1. The power of the tongue for good (vv. 2-5a)
2. The power of the tongue for evil (vv. 5b-8)
3. A powerful dilemma (vv. 9-12)

The sad reality is that our words as God’s people sometimes give life, and other times deplete it, which is completely contrary to our faith

Cutting, careless, and contaminated speech is out of step with our faith and contrary to God’s vision for his creation

The Only One Who Can Tame the Tongue

We are to let the word of Christ dwell richly in us, so that its way of speaking becomes our manner of speech

Is what I’m about to say true? Helpful? Holy? Productive?