1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

James 3:1-12 ESV
https://my.bible.com/bible/59/JAS.3.1-12

What do you like about this passage?

We, as human beings, can work against our basic natural instinct and control what comes out of our mouths. James was speaking to the first-century believers and they were dealing with pharisee and teachers of the law, that would speak God’s instructions (goodness of God) and then speak negatively about the people of Israel and believers in Jesus.

We all have had people in our lives, that would do the same thing. Seemingly being so nice and then turning on people in such a negative way. We call them hypocrites, this is a title that has been put on the church by many in society because of a few of the leaders that did not control their tongues.

Verse 10 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” If James tells us it “Ought not to be so” show me that we have a choice or a way of life that will keep us from being hypocrites, the next two versions show us how.

11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and saltwater? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

We have to be daily conformed to the image of Christ. When we are walking like Christ only good can pour out of us. A spring only pours out fresh water, and fig trees only produce figs. We will only produce good, in our lives, if we are graphed into the good branch (Jesus).

What is difficult about this passage?

Daily die to ourselves, and our personal desires, and put on Christ. Sometimes we might feel that if we don’t speak out then we have failed. Are we not called to “speak the truth in love”? Speaking the truth in love is only able to be done in a relationship, not in general street corner proclamation.

What does this passage tell me about God?

God desires for us to become like Him, a good well that only pours out good. When we accept Jesus, God has given us a new well of living water that will pour out to the people.

What does the passage tell us about People?

If not conformed to the image of Christ we have a tendency to pour forth polluted waters. Harming all life around us.

What are you going to do with this passage / your personal revelation?

Think first before speaking, is what I about to say from a good well (God) or am I putting pollution in my well, contaminating my good well. Daily spend time with God to have my well and nature conformed to the image of Christ Jesus.