James 3
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Chapter 3
Chapter 3
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Overview The definitive chapter about the Tongue and how small but powerful it is. Another test of our salvation is how we speak
And then James turns to wisdom. Are we practicing the wisdom of God or the wisdom of man?
Taming the Tongue (3:1-12)
1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.
Tongue Because we are not perfect, we need to be very intentional in our words
James is very concerned about the tongue
— Mentioned in every chapter
(1:19) Slow to speak
(1:26) does not bridle the tongue
(2:12) Speak and so do
(3:5) tongue is a little member
(3:6) tongue is a fire
(3:6) the tongue is set among
(3:8) tame the tongue
(4:11) do not speak evil
(5:12) do not swear
Show the heart The tongue can only produce what is in the heart (Matt 15:19)
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Sin Easiest way to sin is with the tongue
— The way we use the tongue
— No limits to what we can do with the tongue
— Every word (Matt 12:36)
Jaynes God is not saying stop this, do this. Not behaviour modification. What is down in the well comes up the bucket
(Sharon Jaynes, The Power of a Women’s Words)
Five reasons for controlling the tongue
1) Potential to condemn (3:1-2a)
2) Power to control (3:2b-5a)
3) Propensity to corrupt (3:5b-6)
4) Primitiveness to combat (3:7-8)
5) Perfidy to compromise (3:9-12)
Potential to condemn (1-2a)
(3:1) My brethren, let not many of you become teachers
διδάσκαλος (didaskalos) teachers
— Not saying don’t exercise your gift, if you gift is teaching
— Not meant to hinder those called to ministry, teaching the Word
First But first you pass the test (1:26)
— One thing to swear in private; another to swear in public as a teacher!
26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
High calling To be a teacher is a high calling
— Watch over the souls of men (Heb 13:17)
17 Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
(3:2) For we all stumble in many things
No exemptions No one is exempt
— No one gets a free pass
— All of us are in danger of sin with the tongue
(3:2) in many ways
— There is no one who does not sin (2 Chron 6:36)
— All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23)
— If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8)
Power to control (3:2b-5a)
2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
Power Extraordinary power of the tongue
(3:2) he is a perfect man
— Only Jesus was perfect; 1st use is hypothetical; 2nd meaning is attainable
— Complete, spiritually mature
Christ’s example We have Christ as an example of spiritual maturity (1 Peter 2:21-23)
21 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: 22 “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; 23 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
(3:2b) able also to bridle the whole body
Remarkable Remarkable Claim
— The tongue is so susceptible to sin and volatile that it can control the rest of the body
Holy Spirit Rather we should be susceptible to the control of the Holy Spirit
τέλειος (teleios). adj. perfect, mature, complete, initiated, fully developed
— Supports the second meaning of Teleios: maturity, completion
Q: What do you think the rest of your spiritual life would look like if your speech was God-honoring, Christ-Exalting?
(3:3) Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
Q: Anyone ever owned a horse? How does a “Bit” work?
Bit — Bits lay on top of the tongue
— The whole body turns
— Required for a tame horse otherwise the horse will not follow
(3:4) Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds,
they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires
— NT Ships are small compared to today's ships
— Paul traveled as prisoner to Rome (Acts 27:37) with 276 crew, soldiers and prisoners
— The Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas: 6680 passengers and 2,200 crew, Total 8,880
— Rudder is tiny compared to the rest of the ship but it steers the ship
(3:5) Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things
Tongue can control us like the bit and the rudder
Speak to Edify We should speak to Edify, build up, bless, impart wisdom & hope
Not Tear down, criticize, brag, boast, start wars, tear families apart
Summary
Looked at the 1) Potential to condemn (3:1-2a)
2) Power to control (3:2b-5a)
Now, 3) Propensity to corrupt (3:5b-6)
Propensity to corrupt (3:5b-6)
5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
ἰδού (idou), behold; look;
— Imperative; command
— Often translated as “Behold”
— Idea here is “Pay attention”
Pervert Pervert / Destroy
— Power to control was neutral
— Potential for corruption - all bad
— Careless words, hateful words, false words
You know what is unique about Fire?
(3:6) Fire
— Can uniquely reproduce itself
— Water when poured out is gone and can not multiple
Chicago Fire, Oct 8, 1871
— 8:30 pm Mrs. O’Leary’s bard
— 17,500 Buildings; 300 people died; 125,000 homeless
Korean Fire, 1903; Pan of rice boiled over
— 1 square mile burned to the ground
Proverbs Writer of proverbs
Prov 16:27 27 An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.
Prov 26:21 As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.
(3:6) a world of iniquity
κόσμος (kosmos) World
— Not the universe, earth
— A system, scheme, arrangement
— A system of evil, rebellion, lawlessness
— The tongue is the source of unrighteousness, ungodly behavior
— No other body part has such potential for destruction
(3:6) The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body
— The system of evil spreads out to the entire body
— Like smoke damages what is not destroyed by fire
(3:6) and sets on fire the course of nature;
— and sets on fire the course of our life (NASB)
— sets the whole course of one’s life on fire (NIV)
— Destroyed not just ourselves; everything we influence
— Others know us pretty well by the way that we talk
— Influence is good or bad
— Here, James referring to the Negative influence
(3:6) and it is set on fire by hell
— Tongue can be a tool of Satan
Primitiveness to combat (3:7-8)
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
(3:7) Wild animals are tamed by men
Circus Animals Wild animals in a circus are more controllable than the tongue
(3:8) But no man
— In our own power we cannot control the tongue
— Set a guard around your tongue (Ps 141:3)
— We should be slow to speak (1:19); our “default” setting is to listen
— We can listen without God but we should not speak without God (Eller)
3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.
ἀκατάσχετος (akataschetos) adj., not to be checked; uncontrollable, restless, unstable
— Like an animal fighting to get out
— Looking to escape, spread its poison
Consequences The Lord put to death because of lies
— False testimony; false witnesses came forward (Matt 26:57-60)
— God will have two true witnesses in Rev 11:3
— Stephen killed because falsely accused of blaspheming Moses (Acts 6:8-7:60)
57 And those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance to the high priest’s courtyard. And he went in and sat with the servants to see the end. 59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, 60 but found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward
Summary 1) Potential to condemn (3:1-2a)
2) Power to control (3:2b-5a)
3) Propensity to corrupt (3:5b-6)
4) Primitiveness to combat (3:7-8)
Now, 5) Perfidy to compromise (3:9-12)
Perfidy to compromise (3:9-12)
9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
Perfidy Means a deliberate breech of trust; treachery
— Not just a wild animal trying to get out and escape, also treacherous, plotting
(3:9) bless our God and Father
— We should use our tongue to bless God
— The Jews prayed 3x a day: “Blessed be Thou, O God”
(3:9) we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God
— Man is made in the image of God and we curse men!
— This is perfidy
— We are fallen but at the same time like God
— Intellect, emotion, compassion, creativeness, reasoning, and Will power
(3:10) these things ought not to be so
ου χρη (ou chre) Ought not
— Strong negative; used only here in the NT
— There should be no place for duplicitous speech
(3:11-12) Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
— illustration of a fountain, fig tree, a spring
— Impossible
4 Take away
1. Pray about conversations (Ps 19:14)
2. Pause and Pray (Neh 1:4)
3. Use extra care when you speak
— Some people are soft-hearted and can’t say the same thing to everyone
4. Be helpful not harmful (Eph 4:29)
— unwholesome = harmful
— Should be helpful, build up others
— Their needs not my needs, benefit
Earthly and Heavenly Wisdom (3:13-18)
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.
Summary 1. Testing of Trials
2. Test of your response to the world
3. Test of favoritism
4. Test of works
5. Test of the tongue; now #6 The test of wisdom
The Test of Wisdom
— The wisdom of Man
— Or, the wisdom of God
(3:13) Who is wise
σοφός (sophos). adj. wise, skillful
— To the Greeks - theory, philosophy
— To the Jews - application of knowledge to everyday life
(3:13) and understanding among you?
ἐπιστήμων (epistēmōn), learned; understanding
— Specialized knowledge
— Skilled tradesman
Show it (3:13) Let him show by good conduct
— If you claim wisdom and understanding
— demonstrate it in good behaviour
14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
The motivation
Opposites (3:13) The opposite of (3:14)
(3:13) is like Gal 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control
(3:14) is like Gal 5:20: idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies
(3:14) But if you have bitter envy
— Bitter jealousy, sharp, pointed, worst kind of jealousy
(3:14) self-seeking in your hearts
— Selfish ambition
— A christian should not be arrogant or boasting
Fallen Man Fallen man is dominated by self
— If a person says they are a Christian, but characterized by bitterness, selfishness, arrogance
— You do not have the wisdom of God and are lying against the truth
Characteristics of Worldly wisdom(3:15)
15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.
False Wisdom False Wisdom is
— Earthly, motivated by pride, selfish ambition, arrogance
— Sensual, fleshly, unredeemed man
— Demonic
Enemies The greatest enemies of the believer are
— The World
— The flesh
— The Devil
The results (3:16)
16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.
Nothing good Nothing good results from earthly wisdom
— Confusion, disorder does not characterize God’s people
— (1:8) a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways
— unstable is (ἀκατάσχετος, akataschetos)
— same word as used in (3:8) the unredeemed tongue is restless, akataschetos
True wisdom (3:17-18)
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Q: Can you see the seven (7) characteristics of true wisdom?
The motivation (3:17)
(3:17) But the wisdom that is from above is first pure
Pure Wisdom is pure (Matt 5:8); comes down from heaven as a gift (Ps 51:7; 57:10, James 1:5, 17)
8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
10 For Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, And Your truth unto the clouds.
Characteristics (3:17)
(3:17) then peaceable
— Self controlled temperament that loves peace
— Prov 33:17 talking about wisdom and peace (cf. Matt 5:9)
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
(3:17) gentle
Meek, humble, patient, submits to dishonor, abuse (cf. Matt 5:5)
— Considerate, gathers all the facts before he/she gives an opinion (Matt 5:10-12)
5 Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12 Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(3:17) willing to yield
Reasonable, teachable, not stubborn
— Submissive, open to suggestions
(3:17) full of mercy
Wisdom in action, reaching out to people (James 2:13; Matt 5:7)
— Forgiving but also helping others like the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)
7 Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.
(3:17) full of good fruits
— Good works (2:14-20)
— Paul called it the fruit of the spirit (Gal 5:22-23)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
(3:17) without partiality
— Unwavering, impartial
— Does not take sides with an arbitrator
ἀδιάκριτος (adiakritos), nonjudgmental; impartial
— Only used here in the NT
— Without indecision, without vacillation
— Treat everyone equal, no favoritism (James 2:1-9)
(3:17) and without hypocrisy
— Often condemned by Jesus
— At least four (4) times in the Sermon on the Mount
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