The Book of James

Taming the Tongue

Lesson #7 for November 15, 2014

Scriptures: [James 3:1-12; Deuteronomy 6:4-7; 17:14-20; Luke 9:51-56; Proverbs 16:27; Matthew 7:16-18][i].

1.    What is the relationship between our words, our characters, and our faith-our relationship with God? Words can be very powerful. Think of great speeches, poems, and especially the Scriptures. Words spoken, especially at critical times, may be remembered and have their impact for entire lifetimes. Consider the Gettysburg Address by President Abraham Lincoln.

2.    Especially children absorb what they hear and what they see. Very early, they develop the skill of knowing what is behind the words. Parents need to remember that children will grow up to be like what they see and hear.

Fredrika Bremer (August 17, 1801-December 31,1865) was a Swedish writer and a feminist activist. She is credited by some for coining the phrase, “The apple does not fall far from the tree!”

Smile, parents; smile, teachers. If your heart is sad, let not your face reveal the fact. Let the sunshine from a loving, grateful heart light up the countenance. Unbend from your iron dignity, adapt yourselves to the children’s needs, and make them love you. You must win their affection, if you would impress religious truth upon their heart.—Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, March 21, 1882 par. 13; FE 68.3; CG 148.1; AH 432.2. [Bold type is added.]

3.    We as adults tend to think that young children do not understand what we are saying, and therefore, we do not need to be very careful about what we say around them. That is a very erroneous idea. Children very rapidly reflect what they see and hear-not only the words but also the tone and the emotional impact as well. No wonder God advises that we should begin every day by spending time with His Word. God’s words had the power to create the universe, and they can also have incredible power in our lives. (Psalm 33:6ii; 2 Corinthians 4:6iii) Considering the power that words can have, are we being very careful in everything that we say?

The largest share of life’s annoyances, its heartaches, its irritations, is due to uncontrolled temper. In one moment, by hasty, passionate, careless words, may be wrought evil that a whole lifetime’s repentance cannot undo. Oh, the hearts that are broken, the friends estranged, the lives wrecked, by the harsh, hasty words of those who might have brought help and healing! (RH, October 31, 1907 par. 7; MYP 135.1)

4.    Scriptures tell us much about the power of words and ideas. Psalm 119:105iv, GNB, tells us, “Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.” Jesus Himself said: “What gives life is God’s Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God’s life-giving Spirit.” (John 6:63[v], GNB) Words can be calming and reassuring or they can be inflammatory, even poisonous. Are we careful to think of the implications and the impact of our words before we speak them? The book of James has some very significant things to say about words. Communication, of course, involves much more than just the words.

5.    Read James 3:1vi. In the very first verse of this chapter, James made it very clear that those who are given the responsibility of teaching others-and especially those being an example to children-are held to the highest possible standard. The more we know-or have the chance to know-and the more lives we touch, the more responsible we are for good or evil. Mouths speak what hearts feel.

6.    How much better our world would be if we all recognized the wisdom of Proverbs 9:10vii, GNB: “To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.” Recently, a student said, “Bless you,” and was expelled from class.

7.    Unfortunately, in our time and age and particularly in developed countries, education tends to lead people further and further away from God. Modern science is trying to completely eliminate God from human thinking. Religion is often thought of as being old-fashioned and excessively limiting to one’s thought.

8.    In the New Testament, Paul clearly talked about the responsibility of church leaders. (Acts 14:23viii; Titus 1:5ix) When instructing Timothy and Titus, the younger workers that were associated with him, he repeatedly told them to be cautious about whom they chose to lead Christian groups. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 3:2-6; 6:2-5[x]; 2 Timothy 2:14-15; 3:7xi)

9.    Think about family members or teachers who have had a great influence in your own life. What did they do? Why did they have such an influence on you? Good teachers can make it look easy. One high school math teacher said, “Algebra can’t be hard, or else I couldn’t do it!” What kind of impact do you think you are having on your own children or others associated with you?

10.    James continued his discussion of the impact of our lives and our words with a remarkable statement: “All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.” (James 3:2xii, GNB) Do you agree with James? Is it possible that if one can control the tongue, he can control everything else? We realize that what James was talking about is our emotions, reactions, etc.

11.    What did James mean when he wrote that in James 3:2xiii? What does it mean to be perfect? This should remind us of Matthew 5:48xiv. James seemed to imply that if we can control our tongues, we are perfect. The word perfect in English comes from the Greek word teleios and means mature, grown-up, even ripe when talking about fruit. Are we indeed grown-up Christians? Do we exercise the correct power of choice when choosing our words? Carefully choosing our words also includes choosing what not to say! But, consider the second part of James’s statement. Is it really true that if we can control our tongues, we can control our physical natures with all their appetites, passions, desires, and cravings? James seemed to be implying that if we can develop the characters to control our words, we can control everything else. Jesus supported that idea in Matthew 12:34xv when He said, “For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” In other words, if we fill our minds with the right thoughts and the right ideas and eliminate as far as possible wrong thoughts and wrong ideas, then we will be able to control what comes out of our mouths.

It is a law both of the intellectual and the spiritual nature that by beholding we become changed. The mind gradually adapts itself to the subjects upon which it is allowed to dwell. It becomes assimilated to that which it is accustomed to love and reverence. Man will never rise higher than his standard of purity or goodness or truth.—Ellen G. White, Great Controversy 555.1.

12.    Speech is the most obvious characteristic which separates human beings from other creatures. Of course, it is not the ability to make sounds that is important; instead, it is the ideas, thoughts, and emotions that express themselves through words. So, would it be correct to say that it is the ideas and emotions that are hard to control? The tongue may seem like a small part of the body; but, it has a very disproportionate impact on us and all around us. James compared it to the bit and bridle used to control a horse, the rudder used to steer a ship, and even to a spark that can consume a forest in flames.

13.    Look at some of the advice given in Scripture regarding how parents should instruct and guide their children. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7; 17:14-20; 23:23xvi; Psalm 40:3xvii; Proverbs 10:20-21; 12:25xviii; Malachi 2:6-7xix; Luke 4:22xx; Romans 10:6-8xxi) Is it any wonder that God through Moses gave the instructions He did in Deuteronomy 6:4-7; 17:14-20xxii? Think how different the history of our world would be-and especially the history of the children of Israel-if the people had carefully followed these instructions throughout their history!

14.    Read James 3:3-5. Do we consistently recognize the potential impact of our words? Proverbs 15:1xxiii (GNB) tells us: “A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.” In Luke 9:51-56xxiv, Jesus illustrated the teaching from Proverbs by His words to His disciples when they were refused help by inhabitants of a Samaritan village because they were on their way to Jerusalem.

15.    Ellen White suggested that Jesus, even as a young man, was very good at calming waters.

Through the help that Christ can give, we shall be able to learn to bridle the tongue. Sorely as He was tried on the point of hasty and angry speech, He never once sinned with His lips. With patient calmness He met the sneers, the taunts, and the ridicule of His fellow workers at the carpenter’s bench. [Did that include James?] Instead of retorting angrily, He would begin to sing one of David’s beautiful psalms; and His companions, before realizing what they were doing, would unite with Him in the hymn. What a transformation would be wrought in this world if men and women today would follow Christ’s example in the use of words. (RH May 26, 1904; 7BC 936.8J [Content in brackets is added.]

16.    What an incredible solution to a difficult problem! Do we recognize the impact of “little” things in our daily lives?

As drops of water make the river, so little things make up life. Life is a river, peaceful, calm, and enjoyable, or it is a troubled river, always casting up mire and dirt.—Ellen G. White, That I May Know Him, p. 209.6.

17.    It is always better to avoid saying the wrong thing. What happens if we do say the wrong thing sometimes, even unintentionally? And what should we do if our words are taken completely out of context and even misquoted to stir up trouble? Read James 3:6xxv. A little fire can do much damage.

18.    While we do not know the details of exactly how it all started, it is certain that sin began in heaven just as it began here on this earth; that was by insinuating doubts through the use of questions and cleverly designed words. In heaven Lucifer “began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings.”—Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 37. Truly, our words can lead all the way to the fires of hell.

19.    If we find that we have said something inappropriate or if we have been misunderstood or if we have, in actual fact, said something completely wrong by mistake, we should hasten to correct it as soon as we understand the problem. (See 2 Samuel 7:1-17xxvi.)

20.    Read James 3:8xxvii, GNB. “But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.” Is it really that difficult to control our words? Is it even impossible? Long before the days of James, David said in Psalm 34:13xxviii, GNB: “Then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies.” Apparently, David thought that it was possible. If we ask Him and really want to control our tongues, God’s Holy Spirit will help us. (See Ephesians 4:29-32xxix.)

21.    Read James 3:9-12xxx. How should we understand and apply these words? Is it safe to watch televisions programs full of profanity, drugs, killing, and sex? Does it add to or detract from our interest in reading Scripture? Parents and teachers, do we set the right example before our children not only by what we say but also by what we listen to and watch? Do we like to repeat off-color jokes that we pick up from the media?

22.    James made it very clear that springs of water are not at one time pure and a little later contaminated and then pure again. At this time in history, we must make every possible effort to keep the springs of our faith as pure as possible.

23.    However, to be honest, we must recognize that even the best of biblical examples had their weak moments. Moses murdered an Egyptian, David had that affair with Bathsheba, etc. If those events were all that we knew about those men, wouldn’t we have serious questions about their relationships with God?

24.    Read 1 John 2:1xxxi. Clearly, God’s hope is that we will stop sinning. But, generous provision has been made for all of us because we still do sin. Some of the most encouraging words in Scripture are found in Psalm 32xxxii and Psalm 51xxxiii which David wrote after his sin with Bathsheba. But, even if we repent and are frequently and generously forgiven by God, we still have to live with the consequences of our behavior.

25.    So, what should we do about our words on a day-by-day basis?

When in the company of those who indulge in foolish talk, it is our duty to change the subject of conversation if possible. By the help of the grace of God we should quietly drop words or introduce a subject that will turn the conversation into a profitable channel....

Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience. We should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour’s love. Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving. If the mind and heart are full of the love of God, this will be revealed in the conversation. It will not be a difficult matter to impart that which enters into our spiritual life. Great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, unselfish purposes, yearnings for piety and holiness, will bear fruit in words that reveal the character of the heart treasure. When Christ is thus revealed in our speech, it will have power in winning souls to Him.—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 337.3-338.1.

26.    Unfortunately, in emotionally loaded situations, words often come tumbling out of our mouths even before we have had a chance to think about them. Could we try this experiment? Try to set aside a whole day in which we say only good things, perhaps even talking about what God has done for us personally or the blessings that we have experienced or how He has helped us through trials. At the end of the day, consider how this effort has impacted your day.

27.    There are times when very serious words need to be spoken. As an example, consider Jesus’s conversation with the Sanhedrin as recorded in John 8:12-59xxxiv. But, such words should not be spoken without a great deal of prayer and divine guidance.

28.    In summary, we must recognize that the tongue is a very powerful tool. We can use it for blessing, and we can use it for cursing and destruction.

29.    There is an interesting expression used in our modern computer age: GIGO-Garbage In, Garbage Out. Is that true of our thoughts and ideas? Does GIGO work for the human mind just as it does for machines?

30.    Controlling our speech is probably beyond our human capabilities unless aided by the Holy Spirit. But, all things are possible with God. (Luke 18:27xxxv) The time is certainly here when Christians need to be limiting the “garbage in” so that we can eliminate the “garbage out”! Are we prepared to do that?

© 2014, Kenneth Hart, MD, MA, MPH. Permission is hereby granted for any noncommercial use of these materials. Free distribution of all or of a portion of this material such as to a Bible study class is encouraged.

i-James 3:1 My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others. 2 All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being. 3 We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want. 4 Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go. 5 So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! 6 And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. 7 We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures - wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 8 But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. 9 We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. 10 Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! 11 No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. 12 A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

Deuteronomy 6:4 "Israel, remember this! The Lord - and the Lord alone - is our God. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.

Deuteronomy 17:14 "After you have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is going to give you and have settled there, then you will decide you need a king like all the nations around you. 15 Be sure that the man you choose to be king is the one whom the Lord has chosen. He must be one of your own people; do not make a foreigner your king. 16 The king is not to have a large number of horses for his army, and he is not to send people to Egypt to buy horses, because the Lord has said that his people are never to return there. 17 The king is not to have many wives, because this would make him turn away from the Lord; and he is not to make himself rich with silver and gold. 18 When he becomes king, he is to have a copy of the book of God's laws and teachings made from the original copy kept by the levitical priests. 19 He is to keep this book near him and read from it all his life, so that he will learn to honor the Lord and to obey faithfully everything that is commanded in it. 20 This will keep him from thinking that he is better than other Israelites and from disobeying the Lord's commands in any way. Then he will reign for many years, and his descendants will rule Israel for many generations.

Luke 9:51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. 53 But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then Jesus and his disciples went on to another village.

Proverbs 16:27 Evil people look for ways to harm others; even their words burn with evil.

Matthew 7:16 You will know them by what they do. Thorn bushes do not bear grapes, and briers do not bear figs. 17 A healthy tree bears good fruit, but a poor tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot bear good fruit.

ii-Psalm 33:6 The Lord created the heavens by his command, the sun, moon, and stars by his spoken word.

iii-2 Corinthians 4:6 The God who said, "Out of darkness the light shall shine!" is the same God who made his light shine in our hearts, to bring us the knowledge of God's glory shining in the face of Christ.

iv- Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to guide me and a light for my path.

v-John 6:63 What gives life is God's Spirit; human power is of no use at all. The words I have spoken to you bring God's life-giving Spirit.

vi-James 3:1 My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.

vii-Proverbs 9:10 To be wise you must first have reverence for the Lord. If you know the Holy One, you have understanding.

viii-Acts 14:23 In each church they appointed elders, and with prayers and fasting they commended them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

ix-Titus 1:5 I left you in Crete, so that you could put in order the things that still needed doing and appoint church elders in every town. Remember my instructions:

x-1 Timothy 1:3 I want you to stay in Ephesus, just as I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia. Some people there are teaching false doctrines, and you must order them to stop. 4 Tell them to give up those legends and those long lists of ancestors, which only produce arguments; they do not serve God's plan, which is known by faith. 5 The purpose of this order is to arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith. 6 Some people have turned away from these and have lost their way in foolish discussions. 7 They want to be teachers of God's law, but they do not understand their own words or the matters about which they speak with so much confidence.

1Timothy 3:2 A church leader must be without fault; he must have only one wife, be sober, self-controlled, and orderly; he must welcome strangers in his home; he must be able to teach; 3 he must not be a drunkard or a violent man, but gentle and peaceful; he must not love money; 4 he must be able to manage his own family well and make his children obey him with all respect. 5 For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of the church of God? 6 He must be mature in the faith, so that he will not swell up with pride and be condemned, as the Devil was.

1 Timothy 6:2 Slaves belonging to Christian masters must not despise them, for they are believers too. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their work are believers whom they love. You must teach and preach these things. 3 Whoever teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the true words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching of our religion 4 is swollen with pride and knows nothing. He has an unhealthy desire to argue and quarrel about words, and this brings on jealousy, disputes, insults, evil suspicions, 5 and constant arguments from people whose minds do not function and who no longer have the truth. They think that religion is a way to become rich.

xi-2 Timothy 2:14 Remind your people of this, and give them a solemn warning in God's presence not to fight over words. It does no good, but only ruins the people who listen. 15 Do your best to win full approval in God's sight, as a worker who is not ashamed of his work, one who correctly teaches the message of God's truth.

2 Timothy 3:7 women who are always trying to learn but who can never come to know the truth.

xii-James 3:2 All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

xiii-James 3:2 All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being.

xiv- Matthew 5:48 You must be perfect - just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

xv-Matthew 12:34 You snakes - how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

xvi-Deuteronomy 6:4 "Israel, remember this! The Lord - and the Lord alone - is our God. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.

Deuteronomy 17:14 "After you have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is going to give you and have settled there, then you will decide you need a king like all the nations around you. 15 Be sure that the man you choose to be king is the one whom the Lord has chosen. He must be one of your own people; do not make a foreigner your king. 16 The king is not to have a large number of horses for his army, and he is not to send people to Egypt to buy horses, because the Lord has said that his people are never to return there. 17 The king is not to have many wives, because this would make him turn away from the Lord; and he is not to make himself rich with silver and gold. 18 When he becomes king, he is to have a copy of the book of God's laws and teachings made from the original copy kept by the levitical priests. 19 He is to keep this book near him and read from it all his life, so that he will learn to honor the Lord and to obey faithfully everything that is commanded in it. 20 This will keep him from thinking that he is better than other Israelites and from disobeying the Lord's commands in any way. Then he will reign for many years, and his descendants will rule Israel for many generations.

Deuteronomy 23:23 but if you make one voluntarily, be sure that you keep it.

xvii-Psalm 40:3 He taught me to sing a new song, a song of praise to our God. Many who see this will take warning and will put their trust in the Lord.

xviii-Proverbs 10:20 A good person's words are like pure silver; a wicked person's ideas are worthless. 21 A good person's words will benefit many people, but you can kill yourself with stupidity.

Proverbs 12:25 Worry can rob you of happiness, but kind words will cheer you up.

xix-Malachi 2:6 They taught what was right, not what was wrong. They lived in harmony with me; they not only did what was right themselves, but they also helped many others to stop doing evil. 7 It is the duty of priests to teach the true knowledge of God. People should go to them to learn my will, because they are the messengers of the Lord Almighty.

xx-Luke 4:22 They were all well impressed with him and marveled at the eloquent words that he spoke. They said, "Isn't he the son of Joseph?"

xxi-Romans 10:6 But what the scripture says about being put right with God through faith is this: "You are not to ask yourself, Who will go up into heaven?" (that is, to bring Christ down). 7 "Nor are you to ask, Who will go down into the world below?" (that is, to bring Christ up from death). 8 What it says is this: "God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart" - that is, the message of faith that we preach.

xxii-Deuteronomy 6:4 "Israel, remember this! The Lord - and the Lord alone - is our God. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 Never forget these commands that I am giving you today. 7 Teach them to your children. Repeat them when you are at home and when you are away, when you are resting and when you are working.

Deuteronomy 17:14 "After you have taken possession of the land that the Lord your God is going to give you and have settled there, then you will decide you need a king like all the nations around you. 15 Be sure that the man you choose to be king is the one whom the Lord has chosen. He must be one of your own people; do not make a foreigner your king. 16 The king is not to have a large number of horses for his army, and he is not to send people to Egypt to buy horses, because the Lord has said that his people are never to return there. 17 The king is not to have many wives, because this would make him turn away from the Lord; and he is not to make himself rich with silver and gold. 18 When he becomes king, he is to have a copy of the book of God's laws and teachings made from the original copy kept by the levitical priests. 19 He is to keep this book near him and read from it all his life, so that he will learn to honor the Lord and to obey faithfully everything that is commanded in it. 20 This will keep him from thinking that he is better than other Israelites and from disobeying the Lord's commands in any way. Then he will reign for many years, and his descendants will rule Israel for many generations.

xxiii-Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up.

xxiv-Luke 9:51 As the time drew near when Jesus would be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind and set out on his way to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers ahead of him, who went into a village in Samaria to get everything ready for him. 53 But the people there would not receive him, because it was clear that he was on his way to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then Jesus and his disciples went on to another village.

xxv-James 3:6 And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.

xxvi-2 Samuel 7:1 King David was settled in his palace, and the Lord kept him safe from all his enemies. 2 Then the king said to the prophet Nathan, "Here I am living in a house built of cedar, but God's Covenant Box is kept in a tent!" 3 Nathan answered, "Do whatever you have in mind, because the Lord is with you." 4 But that night the Lord said to Nathan, 5 "Go and tell my servant David that I say to him, "You are not the one to build a temple for me to live in. 6 From the time I rescued the people of Israel from Egypt until now, I have never lived in a temple; I have traveled around living in a tent. 7 In all my traveling with the people of Israel I never asked any of the leaders that I appointed why they had not built me a temple made of cedar.' 8 "So tell my servant David that I, the Lord Almighty, say to him, "I took you from looking after sheep in the fields and made you the ruler of my people Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have defeated all your enemies as you advanced. I will make you as famous as the greatest leaders in the world. 10 I have chosen a place for my people Israel and have settled them there, where they will live without being oppressed any more. Ever since they entered this land, they have been attacked by violent people, but this will not happen again. I promise to keep you safe from all your enemies and to give you descendants. 12 When you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will make one of your sons king and will keep his kingdom strong. 13 He will be the one to build a temple for me, and I will make sure that his dynasty continues forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him as a father punishes his son. 15 But I will not withdraw my support from him as I did from Saul, whom I removed so that you could be king. 16 You will always have descendants, and I will make your kingdom last forever. Your dynasty will never end.' " 17 Nathan told David everything that God had revealed to him.

xxvii-James 3:8 But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

xxviii-Psalm 34:13 Then keep from speaking evil and from telling lies.

xxix-Ephesians 4:29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. 30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. 32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

xxx-James 3:9 We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. 10 Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! 11 No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. 12 A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.

xxxi-1 John 2:1 I am writing this to you, my children, so that you will not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have someone who pleads with the Father on our behalf - Jesus Christ, the righteous one.

xxxii-Psalm 32:1 Happy are those whose sins are forgiven, whose wrongs are pardoned. 2 Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong and who is free from all deceit. 3 When I did not confess my sins, I was worn out from crying all day long. 4 Day and night you punished me, Lord; my strength was completely drained, as moisture is dried up by the summer heat. 5 Then I confessed my sins to you; I did not conceal my wrongdoings. I decided to confess them to you, and you forgave all my sins. 6 So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will save me from trouble. I sing aloud of your salvation, because you protect me. 8 The Lord says, "I will teach you the way you should go; I will instruct you and advise you. 9 Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule, which must be controlled with a bit and bridle to make it submit." 10 The wicked will have to suffer, but those who trust in the Lord are protected by his constant love. 11 You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice because of what the Lord has done. You that obey him, shout for joy!

xxxiii-Psalm 51:1 Be merciful to me, O God, because of your constant love. Because of your great mercy wipe away my sins! 2 Wash away all my evil and make me clean from my sin! 3 I recognize my faults; I am always conscious of my sins. 4 I have sinned against you - only against you - and done what you consider evil. So you are right in judging me; you are justified in condemning me. 5 I have been evil from the day I was born; from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful. 6 Sincerity and truth are what you require; fill my mind with your wisdom. 7 Remove my sin, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; and though you have crushed me and broken me, I will be happy once again. 9 Close your eyes to my sins and wipe out all my evil. 10 Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. 12 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. 13 Then I will teach sinners your commands, and they will turn back to you. 14 Spare my life, O God, and save me, and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness. 15 Help me to speak, Lord, and I will praise you. 16 You do not want sacrifices, or I would offer them; you are not pleased with burnt offerings. 17 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God; you will not reject a humble and repentant heart. 18 O God, be kind to Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices and with our burnt offerings; and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.

xxxiv-John 8:12 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. "I am the light of the world," he said. "Whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never walk in darkness." 13 The Pharisees said to him, "Now you are testifying on your own behalf; what you say proves nothing." 14 "No," Jesus answered, "even though I do testify on my own behalf, what I say is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. You do not know where I came from or where I am going. 15 You make judgments in a purely human way; I pass judgment on no one. 16 But if I were to do so, my judgment would be true, because I am not alone in this; the Father who sent me is with me. 17 It is written in your Law that when two witnesses agree, what they say is true. 18 I testify on my own behalf, and the Father who sent me also testifies on my behalf." 19 "Where is your father?" they asked him. "You know neither me nor my Father," Jesus answered. "If you knew me, you would know my Father also." 20 Jesus said all this as he taught in the Temple, in the room where the offering boxes were placed. And no one arrested him, because his hour had not come. 21 Again Jesus said to them, "I will go away; you will look for me, but you will die in your sins. You cannot go where I am going." 22 So the Jewish authorities said, "He says that we cannot go where he is going. Does this mean that he will kill himself?" 23 Jesus answered, "You belong to this world here below, but I come from above. You are from this world, but I am not from this world. 24 That is why I told you that you will die in your sins. And you will die in your sins if you do not believe that "I Am Who I Am'." 25 "Who are you?" they asked him. Jesus answered, "What I have told you from the very beginning. 26 I have much to say about you, much to condemn you for. The one who sent me, however, is truthful, and I tell the world only what I have heard from him." 27 They did not understand that Jesus was talking to them about the Father. 28 So he said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, you will know that "I Am Who I Am'; then you will know that I do nothing on my own authority, but I say only what the Father has instructed me to say. 29 And he who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, because I always do what pleases him." 30 Many who heard Jesus say these things believed in him. 31 So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; 32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33 "We are the descendants of Abraham," they answered, "and we have never been anybody's slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, "You will be free'?" 34 Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: everyone who sins is a slave of sin. 35 A slave does not belong to a family permanently, but a son belongs there forever. 36 If the Son sets you free, then you will be really free. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are trying to kill me, because you will not accept my teaching. 38 I talk about what my Father has shown me, but you do what your father has told you." 39 They answered him, "Our father is Abraham." "If you really were Abraham's children," Jesus replied, "you would do the same things that he did. 40 All I have ever done is to tell you the truth I heard from God, yet you are trying to kill me. Abraham did nothing like this! 41 You are doing what your father did." "God himself is the only Father we have," they answered, "and we are his true children." 42 Jesus said to them, "If God really were your Father, you would love me, because I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own authority, but he sent me. 43 Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my message. 44 You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father's desires. From the very beginning he was a murderer and has never been on the side of truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies. 45 But I tell the truth, and that is why you do not believe me. 46 Which one of you can prove that I am guilty of sin? If I tell the truth, then why do you not believe me? 47 He who comes from God listens to God's words. You, however, are not from God, and that is why you will not listen." 48 They asked Jesus, "Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon in you?" 49 "I have no demon," Jesus answered. "I honor my Father, but you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking honor for myself. But there is one who is seeking it and who judges in my favor. 51 I am telling you the truth: whoever obeys my teaching will never die." 52 They said to him, "Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Abraham died, and the prophets died, yet you say that whoever obeys your teaching will never die. 53 Our father Abraham died; you do not claim to be greater than Abraham, do you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?" 54 Jesus answered, "If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worth nothing. The one who honors me is my Father - the very one you say is your God. 55 You have never known him, but I know him. If I were to say that I do not know him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know him, and I obey his word. 56 Your father Abraham rejoiced that he was to see the time of my coming; he saw it and was glad." 57 They said to him, "You are not even fifty years old - and you have seen Abraham?" 58 "I am telling you the truth," Jesus replied. "Before Abraham was born, "I Am'." 59 Then they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and left the Temple.

xxxv-Luke 18:27 Jesus answered, "What is humanly impossible is possible for God."

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