Lesson 18: Fire in Your Mouth (part 4)
Read James 3:1-12 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.3.esv

 James 3:9-12 – The fountain provides the cool water that man needs to stay alive. The presence of fresh water is essential for doing things necessary for life.
Proverbs 18:4 - The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
Proverbs 10:11 - The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Proverbs 13:14 - The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Uncontrolled water is very destructive. God’s word is the spiritual water that cleanses us (John 15:3, Ephesians 5:26-27).

The tongue is also like a tree. Like today, in Bible time’s trees are vitally important to the economy. Proverbs 10:21 - The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
John 6:63 - It is the spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing: the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life. As we share God’s words, we feed some and nourish others, and encourage people along the way.

One of the important aspects of a tree is the root system. If the roots do not go down deep, the tree will not be healthy or strong. If our lives are rooted deeply in God’s words, our words can be fruit to many.


James gives a warning, a fountain cannot give 2 kinds of water, a tree cannot produce 2 different kinds of fruit. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something wrong with the heart, just as the tongue that blesses the Father then turns around and curses our brother. How easy it is to sing the hymns and then argue all the way home. The problem is not the tongue, but the heart, the tongue is simply the messenger.

James 3:14 - But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

*What do these verses tell us about where our tongue-troubles come from? Matthew 15:18-19 ____, Proverbs 4:23 _____.

As we fill our hearts with God’s words and yield to the Holy Spirit we will be refreshing fountains bringing fruit and delight to others. Our tongues do not have to be trouble makers. God can use our tongues to bring life to others and encourage during times of trouble. Give God your tongue and your heart!