One Year Journey Through the New Testament
James 3
Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!
The Untamable Tongue
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. 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! 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. 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. 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.
(James 3:1–12, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- In this chapter, James moved from the discussion of faith and works to a discussion of more practical Christian living. He began by admonishing those who would seek the role of a teacher to beware of the stricter judgment that will follow.
- He offered two analogies, one being a bit in a horse’s mouth that turns the big animal wherever the bit pulls it. He then points out that a large ship can be turned by a small rudder.
- He then uses one more analogy, that being a little fire in a forest that can kindle a great forest fire.
- James then discusses the danger of an untamed tongue. I can defile the body with a flame from hell. The tongue is unruly, and speaks both good and evil.
- He then uses a few more analogy, that of a spring. Can a water spring produce both fresh water and bitter water? Can a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Obviously, no.
- Therefore, we should strive to produce the sweet water of the Holy Spirit in our lives and by our tongues.
Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 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. 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.
(James 3:13–18, NKJV)
Points to Ponder:
- James then asked who was wise among the readers.
- If one is wise, he or she should do good works, conducting himself or herself in wisdom. Selfishness and envy are the wrong kind of wisdom.
- The wisdom from above is pure, full of peace, gentle, and selfless.
- We have a choice as to what works and what wisdom we will allow to rule our lives. There is only one way, and that is God’s way!
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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.
Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page. Another blog will be posted each weekday at 6:00 a.m.
Devoted To You 