Mastering the Heart (2)

Who here has ever spoken out of turn? Have you ever said something and wished you could have taken it back?

Practical Christianity

James 3–4:12 ESV

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 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. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 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. 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! 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

This is a long passage! Today, we’re going to get the 50,000 foot view of this passage. Over the next two weeks James is going to deal with pride, that manifests itself in many ways. The main focus throughout our section today centers on our speech. James addresses a our sinful nature and worldliness that so often can drive speech and action. So question: How do we go from people who cannot control our tongue and naturally speak “poison” to people whose speech and lives glorify God? The first and last portions of this passage frame the solution: Wisdom from God.

Big Idea: We must pursue God’s heart to overcome our sinful nature.

Today, we’re going to explore how James addresses our sinful nature and worldliness. These drive speech and action that tears down instead of builds up. We have a two stop pathway: First, we need to identify the problem. Second, we need to seek the solution.

Stop 1: Recognize the Problem

The problem in the context is dissension and backbiting. That could be carried over today as that, plus the underlying cause: selfish ambition (ESV notes). 3:1-12, 4:1-5, 11-12

Show the problem according to James

Our first stop is to recognize the problem James is addressing. Now, throughout our whole passage James does this “A-B-A” pattern. A - the problem. B - the solution. A - the problem. So we’re going to start by looking at the sections within our passage that address a - the problem.

Let’s start by looking at 3:1-12. James starts by saying that not everyone should be teachers, because teachers will be judged more harshly. Teachers are held to higher account than those they teach, because they are responsible for those in their care. So this might make you think that what James addresses here - namely controlling your tongue - is just for leaders or teachers. It’s not. It’s for the whole church, because all of us struggle when it comes to controlling our speech. James is merely adding extra emphasis for teachers because it is extra important for leaders who teach and influence those under them.

Keep in mind the big picture: James is addressing the problem - selfish ambition and pride that have come into the church, particularly expressed through the way we use our speech. Worldliness, in a nutshell, being like the rest of the world that doesn’t know Jesus. James then uses a couple of illustrations, designed to show us how the tongue may be small, but is powerful. Like -

Bits in horses mouths, though small, guide a powerful animal.

Like -

2. Rudders on ships, though small, steer the course of the entire vessel.

James 3:5 ESV

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

The tongue may be small, but it boasts of great things. What does this mean? Who’s ever heard the saying “Stick and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Anyone believe that? No! Why? Because words do have power. Words can cause catastrophic damage. Words leave scars still open long after physical wounds have healed. Friends, what we say matters. In this way, the tongue has great power. James has another statement after he says this…

James 3:5 ESV

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!

This is an expansion on how the tongue, though small, has great power. Not only does it have great power to heal or wound, it can steer one’s whole life, much like a bit or a rudder. The things we say can affect the entire course of our lives, and like a small fire, someone’s life can be set ablaze by the tongue. So often, this great power is used negatively, to hurt and destroy, for selfish gain and pride. This is where James really gets going. He calls the tongue “a world of unrighteousness” staining the rest of our body, and set on fire by hell itself.

Then James again draws a parallel: Humans have tamed all kinds of animals. Horses, birds, sea creatures, but somehow they have not put a bridle on the tongue. Why? Because on our own, it isn’t possible. So this becomes a problem, found both in the early church and today:

James 3:9 ESV

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.

Somehow, out of the same mouth can often come a duality: On Sunday we’re standing in church praising Jesus, and on Monday we’re swearing at the drivers beside us, or bringing down another person behind their back. James asks bluntly, can a spring produce fresh and salt water? Does a fig tree bear olives? So with a true Jesus-follower, we cannot produce blessing and cursing. Or at least, we shouldn’t. Consider Jesus’ words:

Luke 6:45 ESV

The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

The mouth is the wellspring of the heart. From it comes pouring what is in our hearts. So what pours from your mouth? Is it the same thing on Sunday as it is the rest of the week? Or are we living a duality that has no place in the life of the Jesus-follower?

Let’s continue: Skip down with me to James 4, we’re going to look at vv 1-5:

As James continues, he gives the solution to this sin problem of worldliness, arrogance, and selfish ambition, which we will come back to on our second stop. He then starts with chap 4, which might seem not related, but it definitely is.

James 4:1 ESV

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Once again, here we are talking about something very related to the tongue - quarrels and fights. Now, passions here could be translated “evil desires.” And they are at war within the human spirit. What James says in vv 1-5, this scolding for those with selfish motives and always fighting, does not necessarily describe the whole church, but certainly some in it. And it serves as a warning to us all.

As we read, it seems as if perhaps James accuses them of killing people.

James 4:2 “You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.”

Did this happen? Probably not physically, but we must remember what Jesus said in Matt 5 21-22

Matthew 5:21–22 ESV

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Jesus is addressing hatred, and James makes the same basic point. When we - as human beings - desire something and cannot get it, we try to take it. We will trample other people, fight and quarrel, and do whatever we can to obtain that thing.

Illustration idea: Black Friday sales - could find video

Remember how James started with teachers in chapter 3? To be a teacher - especially then - was a prestigious thing. To gain power and influence is something that was and is greatly desired. Often, people will do whatever they can in order to get ahead. They even ask God, and then get mad when He doesn’t give them what they want. Little wonder! They ask with selfish motives! Seeking to build up themselves instead of coming to God humbly!

James then adds the knockout punch: Being friends with the world makes you an enemy of God.

In the ancient world, to be a friend of something wasn’t just chatting on the street. There was an intimacy, a close connection.

James, 1 - 2 Peter, Jude & Revelation Commentary

In Hellenism the idea of “friend” meant a very serious relationship, connoting political and social allegiance, harmony of outlook…

Do you see the problem? Worldliness, selfish ambition, pride, all of these have no place in the life of a Jesus-follower. Allowing our selfish ambition, our own stupid pride to bleed into our lives draws us more and more into friendship with the world - into agreement and alliance with the world. It must then, naturally, draw us farther and farther away from Christ. You become an enemy of God.

Friends, we cannot be mistaken: there are just two options in the Bible: Either you are for Jesus, or against Him. People like to think it’s not that cut and dry. We want there to be this middle ground in which we can sit back and decide whose team we’re playing on. We are adverse to making commitments to God because of our sinful, pride-filled natures. But friends, if you try to have a foot in the enemy’s camp and God’s too, you’re playing a dangerous game that labels you a friend of the world.

My father in law likes to tell a story of a man who lives his whole life thinking he was on the fence, not deciding between God or the devil. When he dies, he discovers that he is in Hell and he says to the devil, quite baffled - “I don’t get it! I was on the fence, why am I here?” The devil chuckles quite gleefully and leans in close to explain. “I own the fence.”

You can’t be a friend of Jesus - saved and transformed and a co-heir, and also in alliance with the world that hates Him.

Now let’s get back to our problem. James shows throughout all of this that it matters how we speak. Why? Because how we speak betrays the condition of our hearts. If our hearts are filled with worldliness: Pride, selfish gain, anger, spewing praise to God and curses to human beings, we are allowing the enemy into our hearts, minds, and lives. And the life of our church.

Now to be honest, I think everyone is guilty of not watching their words. I am certainly guilty of the duality of praising God on Sunday, and then saying things that cause destruction and havoc in my life in Monday-Saturday. James shows us that bridling the tongue is a hard thing to do - impossible on our own in fact.

But does it have to be that way? Is there a solution to the problem we face? How do we address this condition of worldliness and destructive speech?

Show the problem demonstrated in Scripture

Illustration

Stop 2: Seek the Solution

So we’ve identified the problem: namely that as humans we struggle with worldliness, selfish ambition, pride, and it often comes out through the wellspring of our soul: The mouth. How do we counteract this?

James 3:13–18 ESV

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James counters the sinful desire for selfish ambition and pride we have by saying “look, those who are really wise need to show it through their actions.”

Keep in mind the context: James started by addressing teachers as some of the ones exercising damaging speech. yet this section is for the whole church therefore, a wise person - one who has God’s wisdom and not our own - is found through their actions.

Bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, pride, bickering, are from the devil. James literally calls them demonic. Where these things exist, there cannot be the harmony that should be found among the people of God. Therefore, seek God’s wisdom. This wisdom is pure - and then James defines “pure” more:

Peaceable

Gentle

Reasonable

Merciful

Full of good fruit

Impartial and

Sincere.

What a list! A far cry from a tongue that cannot be controlled, or strivings that lead to hurting others. All of these things put God and others first, and did you notice? Every one of them can be applied to how and what we say. And when we practice them we “reap a harvest of righteousness.” Another way to put it is similar to how James first addresses wisdom. When one exercises God’s wisdom, the fruit of that is a life that glorifies God.

But this is not the only admonishment James has for his people. Skipping back into chapter 4, you will remember that James had some scathing remarks concerning jealousy and selfishness. We summed it up with the word worldliness, because James makes it clear: being a friend of the world makes you an enemy with God.

So continuing with the solution, James also calls us to draw near to God in repentance.

James 4:6–10 ESV

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Friends, the antidote to human pride, selfish ambition, and worldliness is a heart that is convicted by the Spirit of God and repentant! And the beautiful thing is that our God gives grace for that!

Who here knows the song, he giveth more grace? Here’s the chorus to that song:

Refrain: His love has no limit; His grace has no measure. His pow'r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!

Do you struggle with pride, or selfishness, or any number of other sins? Have you ever been at a place where it feels like the devil is invincible, or he might as well be? He’s not! Not when God is on our side! God gives more grace to those who will humbly come to Him to defeat the enemy and overcome.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Whatever you struggle with, you need to know this: No temptation is new under the sun. Your God, my God is so faithful and so big that with Him, the enemy is defeated! James calls us to resist the devil and he will flee from us. So, rather than exercising pride, or pursuing selfish gain, or having one foot in the world, and one foot in with Jesus, come to Him right now. Cry if you have to, have your heart broken for what you have done wrong. Cleanse your hands, and purify your heart - this means have right intent and actions. Weep over those things that may be good in the world’s eyes, but bring God no pleasure and actually bring Him sorrow. Humble yourself before Him.

And do you know what God will do? James tells us, he lifts up the humble person!

Isaiah 57:15 ESV

For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Friends, the solution James presents to the problem of taming the tongue, from which we hear the pride and selfishness often in our hearts, is God’s heart. Draw near to God, seek His wisdom, repent and ask forgiveness.

Remember James 1 5?

James 1:5 ESV

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Do you need to deal with a loose tongue in your life. Are you struggling particularly with pride, selfish ambition, or jealousy? Draw near to God. Ask our generous God for His wisdom, which transforms your life. Allow God’s Spirit to work inside of you.

Conclusion

Big Idea: We must pursue God’s heart to overcome our sinful nature.

James presents the problem: In the church there’s fighting backbiting, slandering, and misuse of the tongue in particular. Both the leaders and those just in the church seem to be guilty. So he addresses it and makes it clear: Selfish ambition, pride, worldliness have no place in the life of a Jesus-follower. Is it hard to bridle the tongue? Yes, but we must try lest we set the rest of our lives aflame with the poison of a loose tongue. How do we combat this?

We must draw close to God. We must seek His wisdom, that leads to a right way of living. We must be repentant and humble before God. God lifts up the humble, but expressly opposes the proud.

We must pursue the heart of God if we are to overcome our sinful nature. We cannot do this apart from God.

So what?

This passage places a call on us to seek God’s wisdom and come to Him in humility. When we ask for God’s wisdom He gives it generously. When we come humbly to Him, He lifts us up.

So let me ask you: How’s it going with taming your tongue? For some of us, that answer might be a bit sobering.

How’s it going with pride? Ever notice it likes to slip in the door unnoticed? Kick it out! Pride can look like that moment where instead of thanking God for His blessings, you give yourself a pat on the back for being a self-made person. Or pride can lead you to not take correction well, or be very pushy about your way of doing things. Stop, and allow God to speak to you about pride and where He is wanting to work on you in this.

Lastly, how are you doing being a “friend of God?” If you are trying to live with one foot in Jesus, and the other foot in things that would not please Jesus, maybe it’s time to reevaluate. James makes it clear, friends with the world is enemies with God. It can be hard when the temptations we face seem enticing. But if what we are doing or thinking or saying would bring Christ pain instead of glory, we need to resist the devil and draw near to God. The good news? He gives more grace.

His grace extends to us through Christ Jesus. If you are struggling with sin, and need forgiveness, ask God. If you are struggling with pride, or taming your tongue, humbly come before God asking for wisdom. Maybe you don’t have that relationship with God. Maybe Jesus is that funny person you know of, but don’t really know. Friend, His grace has no limit, and it is for you. Humble yourself before God, accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, and be free from sin.

His love has no limit; His grace has no measure. His pow'r has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again!