Follow along in your Bible as you listen to James chapter 3
(Nr) enclosed in parentheses is a hyper link to the corresponding Bible verse
Chapter three outline
The power of the tongue …………………….. 3:1-5
Sinful Danger of the tongue ………………… 3: 6-12
Exhortation to bridle the tongue ………….. 3: 13-18
The human tongue can be used for good or evil. When engage our tongue before engaging our
mind and heart we run the risk of spewing out evil. James points out this danger to his readers
in James chapter three.
The power of the tongue
verses
1-5
1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren,
knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For
we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is
a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’
mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look
at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are
still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot
desires. 5 So
also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great
things. See how great a forest is set
aflame by such a small fire!
(1)
Teachers in the early church were held in high regard. Many sought after this position in order to
elevate their status in the church.
Their motives were not pure. God
does not call all to be teachers, just as few are called to be pastors. I draw this parallel because both pastors and
teachers share a task, that is to teach.
A teacher, because of their authority, is held to a high standard by God,
and the church. This high standard goes
beyond what the teacher teaches it also encompasses the way the teacher
conducts themselves in their daily lives.
(2)
Being a teacher is a tall order to fill by imperfect beings. Only a perfect being is able to tame his/her
own tongue as well as his/her actions. A teacher must ask daily for Jesus’s
help, by asking for the guidance through the Holy Spirit. In James
1:26 James says “If anyone
thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives
his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”
(3) James strengthens is statement in verse three
with this analogy. Everyone would have
been familiar with horses and other bridle controlled animals, and would have
easily seen the parallel here. The
bridal is small in size but yet controls a large animal. Each of us can, and must control or bridal
our tongues, lest we offend and defile our testimony.
Although we do not wear a physical bridal; our brain acts as
a bridal, not just for our tongue, but our entire body as well. The Holy Spirit who dwells within will help
us accomplish this bridling. The body
will follow where the mind leads us. So
therefore discern what enters your minds portals.
(4) A second analogy of the rudder is used to
demonstrate how a small devise guides a large vessel. In comparison our minds are small in size to
our bodies and yet it is your minds and hearts that guide your actions. Who
then, is the pilot of your mind and heart?
(5) In James’s final analogy on the subject he
states that the tongue is small in size and yet boasts of grand things. The spoken word can be used for good or evil. A careless word can permanently damage and
perhaps destroy a reputation.
Participating in gossip is fertile ground for unkind words to be spoken.
(
The boastful tongue reveals the tainted inner person. Your tongue can not say that which is not
hidden in your heart (your inner person).
We must therefore look deep within our own hearts often for those
boastful thoughts. In Proverbs
16: 18 we read “ Pride goes
before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. A boastful heart is rooted in our
inflated pride.
An inflated ego and a boastful heart will destroy any hope
of humility. We should ask for help in
ridding ourselves of inflated pride. Any
righteous accomplishments a Christian makes is not of his doing but rather the
Holy Spirit guiding our thoughts and actions.
Therefore remain humble avoiding the haughty heart.
Sinful danger of the tongue
Verses
6-7
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of
iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire
body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beasts and birds, of
reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human
race. 8 But
no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly
poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and
with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10
from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things
ought not to be this way. 11
Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter
water? 12
Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can
salt water produce fresh.
(6) James is speaking metaphorically here. His readers were very acquainted with the
destructive force of fire. Even a small
flame can cause a devastating blaze.
This was especially true in the arid climate, during the summer months
of what is now called Turkey.
Our tongue, one of the most versatile muscles of the body,
is far too often like a small flame, in that the utterance of just one
unthinking word can destroy a relationship, and perhaps even the faith of
another. (Matthew
12:36;
Proverbs
16:27)
We know James was very concerned about the false
teachers. He knew the lies they were
teaching would corrupt the entire body of believers. Once even the smallest of falsehoods is
taught, like a small flame, it too will grow into a roaring fire of
misrepresentations.
Therefore we must not
be afraid to challenge that which is being taught. Asking ourselves, is this supported by
scripture? (Psalms
120:2
(7) Only man has the gift of language. This gift was given to man to worship God,
and to communicate His will. God told Adam
to name all the animals (Genesis
2:19). In Genesis
1:26 God gave Adam dominion (KJ)
over the animals. I believe God’s intent
was for animals to be subservient to man.
Man fell from grace thereby losing his authority to have complete
dominion over the animals. He was
however, allowed to tame just a few animals for his own needs. (Leviticus
26:12;
Deuteronomy
23:14 )
(8)
It is ironic that man has learned to control many animals, but cannot control
his own tongue. We often hear the
evilness of a careless tongue when people gossip. Jesus has told us we will be held accountable
for our careless words (Matthew
12:36).
The tongue reveals that which the mind holds secret. Have
you ever prayed to God to cleanse your mind and heart of hurtful thoughts, and
to give you discernment in your conversations?
(Matthew
15:18)
(9) James uses both LORD and Father. The word
LORD was translated from the Greek word kurios koo'-ree-os from kuros
(supremacy); supreme in authority, which denotes Jesus’ authority
over us while Father refers to Him as creator.
(10)
The tongue is like a two edged sword; it is used to praise God or to curse
men. We were made in the likeness of God
who breathed life into man. It was at
this moment man became in the likeness of God, having body, soul, and
spirit. A child is apt to blurt out
whatever it has on its mind at the moment.
Mature Christians use the power of the Holy spirit to control their
tongue.
(11) Salt water is undrinkable. A well can’t contain both fresh and salt
water. Salt water will contaminate a
well whereby only salt water is in the well.
However fresh water will not contaminate salt water. Ever wish you could take back something you
said? A careless thoughtless word can’t
be unspoken. Once the word evil word is
said the damage is done.
(12) Israel being very dry, does not have much
water. They rely on wells for fresh
(sweet) water to drink. A well can be
contaminated by salt water making it undrinkable (bitter). James uses this comparison to point out that
a Christian led by the Holy Spirit will control their thoughts and
tongues. They will choose to use their
speech to praise God, and comfort their brethren.
Bridle the tongue
Verses
13-18
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let
him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be
arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, and
demonic. 16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil
thing. 17
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable,
full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make
peace.
Knowledge is the accumulation and the understanding of facts
on one or more subjects.
Wisdom is the discernment of the right and wrong way of
using the knowledge accumulated.
God created man to use wisdom or good judgement in his or
her actions.
James is likely addressing the teachers, or those who wish
to teach. Knowledge without wisdom
serves only the boasting spirit of a man.
Some display their educational credentials with great pride; perhaps
giving the onlooker the feeling of inferiority.
A person is better served with righteous actions as opposed to
proclamations of their achievements posted on a wall. (I Peter
2:12 )
Ian Mackervoy writes: We will know a wise person by his good life. A wise person will be meek.
‘Meek’ is a word that is hard to translate. The meek person is strong yet
humble and gentle. The wise person does not desire honour or fame. “
What better example of a wise person than Jesus; who knew
all things and yet, never boasted.
It is not wrong to have ambition. However it is wrong, when the motives for
this ambition is spawned by the selfish wanting for a high position, fame, or
glory. Some will do anything to obtain
that which they seek. They may use perversion of the truth to attain their
ambition. It is wrong when envy of
another’s position becomes the driving force behind the satisfaction of our
ambitions.
The apostle Paul writes in Romans
2:8 “but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth,
but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.”
Jesus desires for us is to set our goals with His example in
mind. The only achievements which last
for eternity are those which follow the will of God.
(15
& 16
) The word wisdom was translated from the Greek word sophia sof-ee'-ah
meaning (higher or lower, worldly or spiritual). James speaks of two types of wisdom.
1. Earthly wisdom is used by Satan and his demons to gain
control. At this point it should not be
surprising to us that this type of wisdom tends to be selfish in nature,
bringing to bear the ambition to succeed materialistically by the worlds
standards.
Paul, in I
Corinthians 3:19 writes the
following: “For the wisdom of this world
is foolishness before God. For it is written, ‘He is the one who catches the
wise in their craftiness’;”
2. The second is wisdom sent to us from God. James is referring to an earlier part of this
letter (James
1:17),
where he states God only gives good, for there is no deceit in Him. Heavenly wisdom is given to those who
unselfishly ask for it. Ask for His
wisdom when you study His word, and reap a deeper understanding. In the next verse James goes in more detail
on heavenly wisdom.
Purity - This is
wisdom from God who is pure, and therefore it is pure or clean without ulterior
motives, and is Devoid of selfishness
and ambition.
Peaceable - Godly
wisdom brings about unity between brethren.
This peaceable wisdom not only brings peace to you, but also to those
around you.
Gentle – This heavenly wisdom knows the frailty of man and
therefore is kind quick to help, and slow to anger. (1
Corinthians 2:3-5)
Reasonable – God is patient and expects only our best and
sees perfection through His Son. Patients
is the building block for reasonableness.
Listen before speaking, hear what’s being said, consider your response
before offering it. (Titus 3:2
)
Full of mercy and good fruits – God has shown us His Grace
and mercy through Jesus our Lord. The
ability to show mercy is given by God through His Holy Spirit. We must use this mercy to those who have
wronged us. It is only through giving of
mercy we can expect others to see good fruits in us. (James 2:13;
Luke
6:36 )
Open to reason – an open mind does not mean to compromise
your beliefs. To open your mind is not
just listening to what the other person is saying, but more importantly what
God is saying to you about, what he is saying.
Do not be hypocritical saying one thing and by your actions
showing the opposite. ALFORD explains James 1:22 and James 1:26 both of which pertain to verse 17 . “Without deceiving yourselves" with
the name without the reality of religion. For it must refer, like the rest of
the six epithets, to our relations to others; our peaceableness and mercy
towards others must be "without dissimulation.”
(18)
Ian Mackervoy writes the following: “This verse could be a well-known
saying that James used. He is teaching here that true wisdom is the wisdom of
peace. Those who have this wisdom do good works. Those good works result in
blessing and peace. They are like seeds that grow up into a plant. The fruit of
that plant is *righteousness. And the soil in which it grows is peace. It is
those who make peace that sow and look after the plant of *righteousness. They
do not only love peace and live in peace. They also try to create peace. Peace
cannot grow where people are jealous and work only for their own good. Nothing
good can grow where people fight one another. There has to be unity and they
have to work together for the same things. Peace means a right relationship
with other people and with God. If this does not exist, there can be no true
*righteousness.”
Credits and sources
[2]- Greek translation are derived
from Crosswire.org/study
bible
and Strong’s Exhaustive
concordance
[4] – Wikipedia.org
[8]- Commentary by Adam
Clarke
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