James 3:1-12
Food for Thought
Ice Breaker: Have you ever put your foot in your mouth, burned a bridge, or blown something up because of something you said?
What happened? Were you surprised at how much of an impact it made?
Did you learn and/or change anything because of that experience?
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” While we’ve probably heard this a million times, how does James elevate the significance of what we say?
What specifically does he say words have the power to do?
Just as important, what does he say words have the power to reveal?
What kind of teachers does James have in mind? Why are they held to a higher standard of accountability?
Consider the place your words have in other people’s lives: at home, at work, in the church, online, etc. How will God hold you accountable for the power and platform that you have?
Does that weight make you want to wield words in people’s lives more or less? Why?
Is there a spiritual difference between having a thought (good or bad!) and saying it out loud? Why or why not?
Is there a meaningful difference between the intention of your words and the actual impact of your words? Why or why not?
How should any of that factor into the way we wield our words?
This might sound like a crazy question, but what’s the goal of using words?
How does God use his words? How does Jesus speak to people? …to us?
Read Romans 1:16 and Romans 10:14. What power can words wield?
Read Zephaniah 3:14-17. What comes out of God’s “mouth” over his people?
How should that shape the way we use our own mouths when it comes to him? …to others?
Reflection Questions
Where did my words or thoughts this past week reveal an untamed, self-serving heart rather than love for Christ and others?
How does the finished work of Jesus forgive that failure and silence the accusation against me today?
Resting in His grace, what is one specific way the Holy Spirit is prompting me to speak life and truth instead?