(Steven Cole), The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. ESV James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. Instead of creating the kind of verbal Greek fire that can destroy relationships, families, and churches, lets yield our tongue to the Holy Spirits control and allow our words to glorify the Lord. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. The whole lifethe head (doctrine), the heart (volition), and the hand (lifestyle)is affected and redirected. (Ge 4:6-8). (BEC), Poison (2447)(iosfromhemi= to send) is something sent out and one Greek meaning is thus arrow, a meaning not found in the NT. It is self-centered and demonic. Paul therefore prayed for the church at Ephesus, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. It is through communication that we connect and our spirits touch. Do not be arrogantlie- James issues two commandsbothpresent imperative with a negative, which means stop an action already in progress or do not let it begin. 9:45; Mk. Every species isa generalization, for no one has ever trained a crocodile or a hippopotamus. Not only did he give glowing testimonies, but he also collared people in the church and challenged them to a deeper spirituality and commitment. Do you feel that you are not responsible for what comes out of your mouth when you are angry? Burkitt is somewhat pithy, and for a modern rather rich and racy, but he is far from deep, and is frequently common-place. For the glory of God, and with respect for His standards, lets watch our words. James begins this section by asking a rhetorical question: Who is wise and understanding among you? (v. 13). . (Today in the Word), Wisdom and knowledge are two elements of human life which, though immaterial, are real and determine the use of the material tongue. My grandmother didnt realize it until she got home. Matthew Henry, Such is the degeneracy of human nature that there is no true wisdom to be found with any but those who are born again and who, through grace, partake of the divine nature. The first of these was James the son of *Zebedee. 2, 3, 4. (Col 3:1-4+). If its true that a spring emits brackish water one moment and fresh water the next, we must consider the source. NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; Such will stand forever and ever. Unfortunately, there are people that creep into the church and do this among God's people in order to have their way in the church. The writers of the NT frequently recorded blessingGod the Father Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jim Wilson - Fresh Illustrations), Warren Wiersbe -My wife and I once drove through a safari park, admiring the animals as they moved about in their natural habitat. Glukus in the NT -fresh(2), sweet(2). The heart of the problem is the heart. In short,The nature of the restless tongue is evil(kakos), base, and degraded in character, and prone to be injurious. Perhaps, on the whole, natural, in its well understood opposition to spiritual, is the best word. WuestBut the wisdom which is from above is essentially pure, then peaceable, sweetly reasonable, satisfied with less than its due, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free from insincerity. All rights reserved), You're writing a "gospel," a chapter each day, A heart like the Father's heart will produce only pure and loving words. C.H. NRS James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. One day after the young people had sung, a member of one of the churches struck up a conversation with the principal of the school, who was on the trip as a chaperone. The parents were heartbroken when their young adopted daughter died in an unusual accident. Laws can help to minimize discrimination in housing and the workplace. Do you talk too much and not give opportunity for others to speak? It's there that we can receive a wisdom "full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (Jas. (From Fedco Reporter, April, 1987.) James gave us another word picture about words when he said, The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. Indeed, thissmallest memberof our body is also far too often the cause of the largest trouble, "very much trouble!" Before you jump into any doctrinal dispute, ask first, How important is this issue in light of Gods glory and this persons spiritual wellbeing? Also, keep in mind how difficult it is for you to change your mind on an issue! 1. To honor You today. Ecclesiastes 5:2 GWN James 3:13 Do any of you have wisdom and insight? William Jenkyn, An evil speaker is his own scourge. 8:64; 2 Ki. "The lips of the wise disperse knowledge" (Proverbs 15:7). Having mentioned the tongue being filled with deadly poison congeners up the image of a deadly viper and here we see the image of a forked tonguewhich such a viper would possess! Notice how James repeats these two negative markers of ungodly, worldly wisdom -Jealousy(seepreceding note on zelos) andSelfish ambition(see preceding note oneritheia). Zodhiates amplifies and interpretatively paraphrases James' question "Who among you has the Spirit of Christ in all His perfection? Here the blessedness is shown in its effect. There is only one way to "tame" it and that is by relying on the supernatural power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. "To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath" (Proverbs 15:24). Instead of failing in business, as he had at one time feared, he became the richest merchant of his country. (Ibid), Walter Martin on restless -"In the present context it forms the picture of a caged animal pacing back and forth and seeking an opportunity to escape." ), Stulac explains James' question "For those who do not care about true wisdom but only want the status of being thought wise, the question is a challenge; James's answer will expose them for what they are. It describes the spirit which cannot be content with what it has and looks with a jealous eye on every blessing given to someone else and denied to itself. 19:29; Jn. Thus we see that gentleness is a defining quality of godly wisdom, the "fruit" so to speak. "), ILLUSTRATION -When I announced in the bank where I worked as a young man that I was going to study for the ministry, one of the vice-presidents of the bank called me into his office. (Ibid). Such a "wisdom" cannot be from God. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. With Gods help, we must learn to control our tongue. And so we see that "sopha, "wisdom," is never ascribed to anyone other than God or good men, except in an ironical sense, as for instance in 1 Corinthians 1:20." "Yes," the man replied, "he's been through for a long time, but he's not aware of it. If you often share the good news about Christ, you demonstrate a heart that is grateful for your own salvation. These two have an important relationship. 28:12; Dan. And ask God to set a guard over your mouth to keep you from saying the wrong thing (Ps. Existing upon the earth. A dispositiondescribed as bitterleaves one's heart with an unpleasant sensation, as our tastebuds react to a bitter substance in the mouth. When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (3:17). James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue. Used literally in James 3:11 as the opposite of what which is sweet, and in the Septuagint (Lxx)of Ex 15:23 describing the waters of Marah which "were bitter" and could not be drunk by Israel. They speak about having an open mind and about suspending judgment. James, a servant of God and of the Lord . NLT And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. In other texts earthly carries a definitely inferior meaning and suggests worldly or sinful or fleshly passions (Philippians 3:19; James 3:15). At age 12, he entered Harvard University in a program for gifted students. We should not try to control our tongue with our own strength; we should rely on the Holy Spirit (ED: SEE TONGUE CONTROL). Biblical Illustrator 4. J. Sidlow Baxter, Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. As I close this chapter, let me suggest that you start using the "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life." . God's response was to confound human speech so that every man spoke to his neighbor in a foreign tongue. All rights reserved). Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. 12:5; Jas. We have this promise: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to [you] (1:5). When my wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we arrived early to get a good seat. 24:25; 1 Ki. It is glorying that one has been able to get up to the top in a manner that is not exactly honest, boasting that one is there because he deserves to be there and that he is enjoying the favor of God, but also that his opponent was defeated because he is not as good as oneself. Be not many teachers Let no more of you take this upon you than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much. As we fill our hearts with God's Word, and yield to the Holy Spirit, He can use us to bring delight to others, and we will be refreshing fountains and trees. Anon. "A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall not escape" (Proverbs 19:5). I thought it would be interesting to see how many of the whole Bible commentaries recommended by Spurgeon are available in Logos. Into what are we growing? (Ibid). She saw him go to the homes where there were sickness, death, and sorrow, and she watched him as he moved about the village, though she never heard him speak in public. David lied to Ahimelech the priest and occasioned his murder by King Saul (1 Sam. On one hand hesays a religious man must keep a tight reign on his tongue (James 1:26) andnow he says, No man can tame the tongue (James 3:8). The rich rejoice that they have discovered the emptiness of material wealth, and the poor rejoice that they have discovered eternal riches. I do not know that at any point the opposition between the spirit of the world and the spirit of Christ is more marked, more obviously diametrical, than with regard to this feature of character. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships). Hebrews Instead, he imagined what it must do for a church to put such unselfishness at the heart of everything it did! William Baker -James has thus provided for us a prescription for harmony in the body of Christ. He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. Does your mouth spew grumbling and complaints? 5:20; Isa. "He that refraineth his lips doeth wisely" (Proverbs 10:19). Baptist pastor Charles Haddon Spurgeon is remembered today as the Prince of Preachers. Were just left forever unsaid. There is a kind of cruel wisdom which takes a delight in hurting others with clever but cutting words. NJB James 3:18 The peace sown by peacemakers brings a harvest of justice. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. "The rod and reproof give wisdom" (Proverbs 29:15). But the tongue no one in the human race is able to control. Of the person who is in the habit of speaking with insults, ridicule or sarcasm, James demands, 'Change your speech habits.' We have telephones, fax machines, computer bulletin boards, voice mail, radios, TV sets, and of course, printed materials of every kind. He was worldly wise in his approach. (cf Gal 6:7-10+). The Holy Spirit will heal the hurt and keep us from lashing out. All rights reserved, Summary of Study of James from chapter 1-3. "It is a snare to a man rashly to say, It is holy, And after vows to make inquiry" (Proverbs 20:25). 3:6. According to company president John M. Morse, protesters demanded that a specific word be deleted because it is derogatory and offensive. (a) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy for those who are in trouble, even if the trouble is their own fault. Is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy- First - first in rank and time. "The legs of the lame hang loose; So is a parable in the mouth of fools" (Proverbs 26:7). If the Holy Spirit is on the throne, then out of our innermost being flows that river of living water of which the Lord Himself spoke (John 7:37-39+)." Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. (Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee), Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Those who disturb personal relationships and are responsible for strife and bitterness have cut themselves off from the reward which God gives to those who live a godly life." But if zeal gets out of control, it can reduce everything to ashes (so to speak). It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. Evil(bad, harm) (2556)(kakos)related word =kakia) is a word which basically denotes a lack of something so that it is "bad" or "not as it ought to be. They apply heavenly counsel to earthly conduct." Coming as it does after epieiks, it probably bears this second meaning here. NRS James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. JAMES 3:6Does the course of nature refer to reincarnation? It is "THE SUM TOTAL OF INIQUITY'' in that it: Barclay wrote "An uncontrolled tongue is like a world hostile to and ignorant of God. It will then be too late to mend its appearance. Will be reflective of Your grace; Grant Osborneonthe course of our life-Most recent studies (Blomberg and Kamell, Martin, Moo) realize that the phrase had become a more popular idea by James's time, simply meaning the ups and downs of life. Beloved, that's the power of our unbridled, unruddered tongue, unless it is continually surrendered to the guarding, guiding power of the Holy Spirit! It is thus fitting that geenna is where sin and unrepentant sinners will one day find their "resting place". and Vulg., though the words are somewhat different. Without hypocrisy(It is sincere; free of pretense)(505)(anuopkritosfroma=without +hupokrinomai= to pretend fromhup= under, indicating secrecy +krino= to judge) is literally without play acting, without playing the part or without hypocrisy. Apt words come from a heart that is governed by God. All rights reserved), The wisdom from above flies in the face Amplified Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? . I have been in his family, and have observed him both at home and abroad; and I know what I say of him is the truth. 15:14; Jas. Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. Even with the temptation of Christ the devil was slick and sly (cf Lk 4:1-13+). (Aggies and Longhorns have a longstanding rivalry in the state of Texas). Would you turn hungry lions or angry snakes loose in your Sunday morning service? ESV Study Bible on world of iniquity -The tongue represents and puts into expression all the wickedness of the world. Nothing less wide of range than this is involved in the word pure here. Apart from Him and His plan to bring about eventual justice, we see much in life that is not fair. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It is easier to look wise than to talk wisely. Christian mercy is mercy for all who are in trouble, even if they have brought that trouble on themselves. KJV James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Read Romans 12:3-8) Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words? NIV James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. Adrian Rogers -Watch the words of your mouth. Gentle(1933)(epieikesfromep= upon - intensifies meaning+eiks= fair, equitable) is a Greek word that is difficult to translate. NLT Study Bible - Such brackish springs could not support a town. This world is more influenced by the demonic, and this kind of "wisdom" can easily seep into everything we do, even ministry. On the other hand, if you sow worldly wisdom (with its "seeds" of selfishness and strife) you will reap disorder and every evil thing (conflict, disharmony, etc). 1:15; Deut. Christ's attitude is for us to deal with our anger and frustration honestly and maturely but to use restraint in how we reveal these feelings to others. It is easy to have "bitter envying and strife" in our hearts (James 3:14). By:Mart DeHaan(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. It was such a valuable military weapon that the formula was kept an absolute secretand was lost to the ravages of history. "James reminds his readers that "no loud and pretentious claim to the possession of 'wisdom' could avail while 'out of the heart proceeded evil things.'" Thomas Brooks, Of all the members in the body, there is none so serviceable to Satan as the tongue. NKJ James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? The Old Testament word for jealousy means "to burn or to inflame"an apt description of what goes on inside the person who allows jealousy to smolder. NKJ James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. All rights reserved). In company, guard your tonguein solitude, your thoughts. By such a vigorous address to this area of human behavior, in which the totality of all mankind is revealed as transgressors, either in small or in great degree . We all need to ask ourselves - Who is the pilot? Hate explodes from the lips. But there were warning signs posted all over the park: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR! One man complained that he had to eat hotdogs for lunch while others ate in fancy restaurants. The message is the heart of the messenger. 4:5; 1 Tim. "The mouth of fools feedeth on folly" (Proverbs 15:14). No farmer sits around doing nothing all year, then goes out into the field and says, Whoa, look at that bountiful harvest! If there is a harvest, its in part because he has worked hard to cultivate that harvest. James used this same verb in James 4:4+ "makes himself an enemy of God." This recalls James 2:14-26 where one's "works" show orauthenticateone's "faith" to be genuine. "Deceive not with thy lips" (Proverbs 24:28). A country merchant once visited New York. If you are always stirring up controversy over petty issues, you are not acting with godly wisdom. In this life of course, no believer will reach perfection in thearea of "tongue control", but our daily goal should be steady progression toward greater and greater degrees of Christ-likeness as we learn to rely wholly on His Holy Spirit. Such a person knows how to make allowances, when not to stand upon individual rights, and how to soften justice with mercy, and always remembers that there are greater things in the world than rules and regulations. "Yes," replied the officer, "but the President asked my opinion of him; he did not ask for his opinion of me." Or a vine, figs? John Evelyn, Wisdom and the will of God are intimately related Nothing is more vital for practical knowledge of the purpose of God than wisdom. ESV James 3:15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. KJV James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! Wesley. To curse man is to curse the likeness of God in man." And on more than one occasion, as my Sunday school teacher, he made degrading comments about the pastor and others in the church. James 1:19+ would be a good description of the eupeithes person who is "quick to hear." Their tongues are loaded with lies. If I listen to gossip, to put-downs, I am actually an accomplice in that fire ignited by hell. The psalmist describes this hypocritical "forked tongue".. Epistemon in the Septuagint (Lxx)-Deut. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. (Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James), THOUGHT - This reminds me of Jesus' command to let our light shine in Matthew 5 -You are the light of the world. Guzik on lie against the truth -Anyone who shows bitter envy and self-seeking should not deceive anyone especially themselves about how wise they are. Lenski adds that eritheia "derived from eritheu, to work for wages as a mercenary, and hence = Lohnsucht, the selfish spirit that seeks its own will and advantage. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Ps. My friend, if He has touched you, He has touched your mouth also. But according to the apostle James, you cannot tame the human tongue. Eventually the potter was ruined by the very scheme he had devised to defame the man he envied. Knowledge leads us from the simple to the complex; wisdom leads us from the complex to the simple. "A soft answer turneth away wrath" (Proverbs 15:1). 3:6; Jas. "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver" (Proverbs 10:20). One great fundamental characteristic of the morality taught in the Bible is, that it occupies the whole nature. Luck: "Remember, as indicated earlier, that no man can tame the tongue, but there is One who can. Unlike the human mouth (James 3:10), a fountain will not send forth sweet and bitter from the same opening. We think of the depraved advice that Ahitholphel gave to Absalom (2 Sam. 141:3). So, willingly yield your lips to the Lord But James issued a warning: a fountain cannot give forth two kinds of water, and a tree cannot bear two different kinds of fruit. 20:10), and, for so doing, God kept him out of the Promised Land. James has already implied that the tongue holds sway over the whole body (James 3:2+). But apart from Christ there is no wisdom. James is saying that the full range of iniquity finds an outlet through the tongue. Is affected and redirected is earthly, unspiritual, devilish '' it and james 3 commentary spurgeon is not the wisdom that from! Fall lightly, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish one day find their `` place. Is as choice silver '' ( Proverbs 26:7 ) from saying the wrong (!, a fountain will not send forth sweet and bitter water from the same opening our... Inferior meaning and suggests worldly or sinful or fleshly passions ( Philippians 3:19 ; James 3:15 is. 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