James 3:3-18

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE continued:

 James 3:3  We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. James 3:4  And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. James 3:5  In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. James 3:6  And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. James 3:7  People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, James 3:8  but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison.

This makes our tongues sound like the devil's advocate and God's enemy. It can be, think of these dictators and how they used words, Adolph Hitler, the Ayatollah Khomeini, Joseph Stalin, and Saddam Hussein. They were gifted speakers but evil was in every word.

Just of the top of my head the pros and cons of speech.

Cons: Lies, hateful speech, treachery, threats, gossip, swearing, using God's name in vain, etc.

Pros: Praise both to God and people, Love, support, sympathy, songs. I am  sure that I have not covered all the pros and cons. Even with my small list which would you prefer? Can we tame our tongue? Read on.

James 3:9  Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. James 3:10  And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:11  Does a  spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? James 3:12  Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can't draw fresh water from a salty spring.

WISDOM FROM HEAVEN

James 3:13-18

Life Application New Testament Commentary James lays down a challenge before the church for those who claimed to have true wisdom: they need to observe the true wisdom that comes from heaven. The church James wrote to was a church under pressure. When under pressure, a church can split into factions. There was no formal clergy or ordination process, so self-styled teachers could emerge, claiming to have wisdom. As each teacher promoted his brand of wisdom and gained a following, the community of believers was divided. In the New Testament church there were many problems with factions or a “party spirit” (see Acts 6; 1 Corinthians 1; see also Php_1:17; Php_2:3).

James 3:13  If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.

There is our answer if we "are wise and understand God's ways" This means you have not only confessed Jesus as your savior and repented of your sins. It also means you are in God's word and complying of His word. There is a danger here. Your understanding needs to be in line with God's. Humility is also important. If you are doing this for fame or to make you look Godly you are now on the wrong side of God's plan. Read on:

James 3:14  But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. James 3:15  For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. James 3:16  For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind.

James is very clear on doing the teaching and preaching for selfish reasons is like working for Satan. I fear that I pray before I write that I am enhancing  what God intends the writings of his word are to be in this modern world. If you ever fell I have misquoted or did not understand what God is saying please let me know.

James 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:18  And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

I guess there are other Pros that I missed. James pointed them out. I think you can see the immense importance of  The Book of James.

Agape

Dave