Book of James Chapter 3 Part 1

 

©lightwritingmatters 2015

Theme Scripture: --James 4:17 “Therefore, if one knows how to do what is right and yet does not do it, it is a sin for him.”

Theme Scripture Chapter One: “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.” – James 3:6

“3 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’ mouth 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!”

Interestingly, the third chapter starts out with a caution. Do not rush to be a teacher. Why? It comes with ‘stricter’ judgment. James then begins to share the first bit of wisdom. Notice, it is not the knowledge of the teacher. It is not any charisma the teacher may have and use. It is not tenure as a Christian. What is the caution? The teacher make mistakes. The teacher is not perfect. But what focus does James take as to the object of his rationale? The teacher is not able to control/bridle his body. The teacher tends to allow his tongue to run amuck. Notice the damage James illustrates in the following verses.  

“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.”

• “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.

Remember, the teacher is under a ‘stricter’ judgment.

“7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.”

Pretty impressive statement…every airborne, earth born or sea born creature other than man has been tamed by man but he cannot tame his own tongue?

 “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. ” 

What a powerful statement to contemplate. Ever heard the phrase, ‘Do you kiss your Mother with that mouth?’ So let’s switch that up to the highest source. ‘Do you talk to your heavenly father, GOD ALMIGHTY with that mouth? Do you actually use the title ‘GOD’ as a means to curse? Do you use four letter expletives and yet believe your Christian profession is not harmed by vulgarity? Christians the world over are more and more under the watchful eye of those in the Spirit realm and here on earth. Not bridling your tongue and cutting loose a long loud line of cuss words is being received LOUD AND CLEAR by the rulers of the darkness of this world; the spiritual wickedness in high places. Do not think for a moment they will not exploit your ‘lack of control’ of that small member, the tongue. Lastly, that tongue undermines everything you have said to your neighbors, coworkers and families about the ‘changes’ in your life due to your relationship with Christ. In fact, James completes his thoughts on bridling the tongue with these words: “My brethren, these things ought not to be so.”

NOTE: We are not perfect. None of us. We all err and fall short. Sometimes even though we prefer it does not happen we swear/cuss/use uncouth speech. And we should immediately repent. But, the teacher is under strict judgment so all the more should he be mindful of his speech/tongue.

In conclusion, James asks the following: “ 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 saltwater and fresh.”

These seemingly unlikely and somewhat contradictory ideas fresh water/bitter water, fig tree bears olive, spring of water is both salty and fresh, shows the contrast between the virtuous speech of a Christian/in this case the teacher, and the indecorous behavior of the teacher’s inability to bridle his tongue. 

There is one other aspect of not minding our tongue, especially where the teacher of GOD’S WORD is concerned. It is arrogance vs humility. This will be discussed in part 2 of this chapter in the next post. 

Please return August 22, 2023 for part 2   

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©lightwritingmatters 2015

©lightwritingmatters 2015

NOTICE: If you are feeling inclined or feeling led to want Jesus as your Savior, your leader, your King, your source of Peace and Joy but are feeling woefully inadequate, uninformed on how best to get to know HIM, or find yourself at wit’s end because you believe yourself trapped and in need of GOD, please know Jesus stands ready to welcome you with HIS Holy Spirit. Believe these words: “16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. “—John 3:16

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, 21 whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” – Acts 3:19-20

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:3-8

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©lightwritingmatters 2015