Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
This automated analysis scores the text on the likely presence of emotional, language, and social tones. There are no right or wrong scores; this is just an indication of tones readers or listeners may pick up from the text.
A score of 0.5 or higher indicates the tone is likely present.
Emotion Tone
Anger
0.11UNLIKELY
Disgust
0.09UNLIKELY
Fear
0.08UNLIKELY
Joy
0.66LIKELY
Sadness
0.16UNLIKELY
Language Tone
Analytical
0.72LIKELY
Confident
0UNLIKELY
Tentative
0.24UNLIKELY
Social Tone
Openness
0.95LIKELY
Conscientiousness
0.32UNLIKELY
Extraversion
0.5UNLIKELY
Agreeableness
0.38UNLIKELY
Emotional Range
0.37UNLIKELY
Tone of specific sentences
Tones
Emotion
Language
Social Tendencies
Anger
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9
Introduction
James writing a letter to the Jewish believers who were scattered because of the persecution in Jerusalem.
James brings together in Chapter 3 several things he already taught.
Turn to James 3
quick to hear, slow to speak
think religious but don’t bridle tongue, religion is worthless.
faith with action is life
James just finished talking about showing we have faith by the way we live and serve.
Now he gives two examples of living out faith practically in matching words and wisdom with good deeds.
Talking about the difference between true heart transformation and simple behavior modification
Read
James 3:1-18
Should I teach?
Should I teach?
Should I teach?
not many should teach.
More strictly judged.
not many should teach.
More strictly judged.
higher standard – more risky.
Sounds like a huge deterrent to teaching.
Key is verse 2 we know that we quickly fall to temptations.
Key is verse 2 we know that we quickly fall to temptations.
The one who does not blast off at the mouth, who is able to control his tongue/mouth/speech is really complete/mature/full of faith.
Jesus taught – not what goes into your mouth that defiles you but what comes out, because it comes from the heart.
verses 3-4 together - James gives pairs of examples.
comparisons.
v.3 horse and bit/bridle example
v.4 ship and rudder example
Summary of first section – Should I teach?
Am I mature enough that I live what I teach?
Are my actions consistent with my words?
not just actions, but heart attitudes, thought life,
James explains the significance of actions and speech alignment
Bridled Faith
James explains the significance of actions and speech alignment
v.5 the tongue is a controller that turns the body (or life of the body) wherever the driver wants to go.
v.5 the tongue is a controller that turns the body (or life of the body) wherever the driver wants to go.
huge forest burned by the little flame that sets it ablaze
verse 6 is unbelievably strong, harsh, graphic...
vv.5-6 tongue is a fire, corrupts/destroys, changes the course of life
vv.5-6
comparison - tongue is a fire, corrupts/destroys,
A world of evil
changes the course of life - turns your whole life into a major dumpster fire.
Source! - set on fire by hell itself
Now James moves to another pair of comparisons
v.7 wild animals.
man has been able to tame wild animals.
So, the source of the problem with the tongue is hell itself and no man has the ability to tame it.
James is saying – if we are the driver (or more appropriately the enemy is the driver) we ourselves cannot adequately control our tongues, our mouths, our speech.
So, he’s saying – if we are the driver (or more appropriately the enemy is the driver) we ourselves cannot adequately control our tongues, our mouths, our speech.
We need the control of the driver who can make the tongue direct the life of the body in the right direction.
Double minded and double tongued
Double minded and double tongued
vv.9-10 double tongued = praise and cursing from the same source
vv.9-10 double tongued = praise and cursing from the same source
Adamant – this should not be.
Adamant – this should not be.
Point - Praising God is inconsistent with cursing the image of God in others.
Another pair of comparisons
Examples: how do we talk about or talk to
drivers in traffic
bosses and teachers
politicians
criminals and others who break the law
terrorists
What is our first reaction?
Maturity and humility leads us to understand the source, pray for the person, pray against the enemy’s influence in them.
vv.11-12
Just as fresh and salty, sweet and sour are not consistent or compatible from the same source.
The result is not different from the source and purpose.
Summarizing this section = James is saying - Many of you should not teach yet because you need to develop the maturity of consistency in talk and walk.
Summarizing this section = James is saying - Many of you should not teach yet because you need to develop the maturity of consistency in talk and walk.
Teachers are held to a higher standard BECAUSE it takes maturity to lead in the right direction.
because there is the potential to lead so many astray.
Now James gives indicators and sources of this maturity
Two sources of wisdom
v.13 Wise?
Prove it.
Wise?
Prove it.
James is always looking for proof – Show it
By good life, by deeds performed with a humble attitude
The humble attitude is a development or outworking of wisdom
Earthly wisdom
v.14 Contrast – opposite of humble good works is selfish ambition, bitter envy.
Never satisfied, always looking for more or for mine.
Contrast – opposite of humble good works is selfish ambition, bitter envy.
Never satisfied, always looking for more or for mine.
Where are envy and selfishness?
In the heart.
Even if the outworking of those is not evident – do not deny that reality, your inner attitudes, thought life, world view
Do not brag that you are wise if the heart is self-centered.
v.15 bragging is about wisdom that is only man’s wisdom
bragging is about wisdom that is only man’s wisdom
not from heaven = not from God.
Not godly wisdom
Not only is it not godly wisdom = earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
Again with the real source = Yes, those attitudes are based in the influence of the enemy.
< .5
.5 - .6
.6 - .7
.7 - .8
.8 - .9
> .9