Focussing on teachers must not blind us to our propensity to stumble. "Stumble" is used here and in James 2:10 to mean any act of sin. The range of possible sinful acts is described as "many things". Believers are under the constant threat of sin (1 John 1:8 ). We can overcome by the Holy Spirit who now lives in us (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:16-25 ). When we know that we have stumbled we should be quick to take action in the prescribed way of,

1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

The word "stumble" is very applicable to the sinning tongue. It also means "to trip". Each of us has had to admit "My tongue slipped," and the consequence has been the hurting of others, not only ourselves. Using words unwisely damages relationships. The tongue out of control can ruin a reputation and sow the seeds of destruction of another. The unguarded tongue brings troubles to our souls (Proverbs 21:23 ).

James 3:2 "... If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body."

Anyone who is in complete control of the tongue is evidencing maturity that will demonstrate control of all other areas of life as well. The one who exercised maturity in absolute control was Jesus Christ, in whose steps we are to follow.

1 Peter 2:21-22 "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ²² 'Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth';"

If we are to live in spiritual maturity, a life pleasing to God, we had better stay close to the perfect original, and reproduce Him. Better allow Him by His spirit to reproduce Himself in us. He is the originator and finisher of our faith, to make us mature in Him (Hebrews 12:2 ).

James 3:3 "Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body."

In controlling the tongue the whole being is under control, or "bridled." As a small "bit" in a horse's mouth directs the whole body and all its strength. That means of control is in the hands of the rider. In like manner our whole being can be controlled by yielding of our tongue to the control of the Master. In the baptism of the Spirit the tongue is given to utterance of the Spirit (Acts 2:4 ). Of the Ephesians we read:

Acts 19:6 "And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied."

Whether the language was unknown to the speaker as was the case with "tongues" or known as was the case with "prophecy," the requirement was yielding to the Holy Spirit control. An ongoing yielding to Holy Spirit control is the way of spiritual maturity.

Ephesians 5:18 "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; "

The verb 'plerousthe' - "be filled" is in the present tense, teaching that being filled is to be a continuous process. Our part is to yield to His control, supplies, power. It is important to see there is an individual yielding required. Then there follows Holy Spirit fulness, His control and co-operating with Him. By deliberately submitting to the Holy Spirit we put the reins into the Master's hand, and become mature in the control of our tongue and all other areas of our being.

Again, the small "rudder" of the ship, hidden from sight in the water, directs the course of the great vessel (James 3:4 ). The power of the tongue should not be wrongly estimated because it is so small. Because, like the rudder, the tongue gives direction to the course of one's life, it needs guidance itself. In guiding the tongue the mature rely on the written Word (Psalm 19:8 ) and being led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14 ).

James 3:5 "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things ..."

The "even so" refers back to the illustration of the small tongue being powerful. It can be a "bit" used to bridle. It can be a ruder bringing direction, and small though the tongue is, it can boast of great accomplishments of good and evil. Its boast is no idle one. To illustrate this fact attention is given to the tongue as a fire. Its power to inflame by persuasion is no empty claim. There are plenty of examples of vast numbers of people becoming captive in their minds to the deceptive, lying persuasions of erroneous teaching.

We are reminded by Peter that there were false or lying prophets among the people in the past, and he predicted the coming of false teachers (2 Peter 2:1 ). As in the past these lying deceivers brought disaster to the people and devastation to the land (Jeremiah 23:9-18 ). So the heresies of false teachers bring destruction. Their deceptive words will cause swift darkness and damnation (2 Peter 2:1-3 ). An evil, persuasive tongue burns up, that is, breaks down moral standards and godly conduct. Peter describes such treacherous teachers.

2 Peter 2:18 "For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error."

The destinies of nations have been changed by fiery, persuasive speech. Evil boasting against the Lord by successful conquerors of nations has brought them to utter ruin. The blasphemous boasts against the Lord by Sennacherib brought defeat, and death to him by the sword of his sons (2 Kings 18:17-19; 19:37 ).

The prophetic word reveals there is yet to be a world leader who, as the antichrist, will scream out unbelievable blasphemies against God (Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ), whom the Lord "... shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, ..." (2 Thessalonians 2:8 KJV).

Giving our tongue to inflammable evil persuasions is to align ourselves with the conduct of the evil one.

James 3:5,6 "... Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, ..."

To call the tongue a fire is strong language, yet nothing but the stark truth. The inflammable nature of the tongue causes sorrow; separation ; suicides; strife of war. Always destructive.

Peter H. Davids in his commentary on James says: "One need only think of the oratory of Adolf Hitler to underscore this point." - New International Biblical Commentary - "James"

James, in the language of today could have said, "the tongue, like a small match, can be the instrument of very great destruction and devastation." The evil tongue ignites strife and separates friends (Proverbs 16:28; 26:21 ). The one whose tongue ignites to evil, hates those who suffer the crushing consequences.

Proverbs 26:28 "A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. An indication of maturity is a controlled tongue. What help do you receive from the illustrations of the bridle and the bits in horses' mouths? Also from the ship's rudder and the pilot? (James 3:3-4 ).
2. The boast of the tongue to be a fire that inflames is no idle one. What would you state to be the motivation for using this ability in an evil way? (James 3:5-6 ).