James 3:1-3

Taming the Tongue

¹ _c Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. ² For _d we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, _e he is a perfect man, _f able also to bridle his whole body. ³ If we put _g bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.

1. Cross References
   Matthew 23:8
   But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
   Romans 2:20 - 21
   An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth -
   1 Timothy 1:7
   Desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.
   
2. Cross References
   1 Kings 8:46
   If they sin against you - for there is no one who does not sin - and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near.
   Proverbs 20:9
   Who can say, "I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin"?
   Ecclesiastes 7:20
   Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
   1 John 1:8
   If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
   
3. Cross References
   Matthew 12:37
   For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
   
4. Cross References
   James 1:26
   If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
   
5. Cross References
   Psalms 32:9
   Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.