")., and in the statement in the second chapter of the same epistle, that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14+). Over the years weve been able to train Gentle Ben, Lassie, Flipper, Shamu, even Barney! He tells us to be kind and compassionate instead of fault-finding and vindictive (Ephesians 4:31-32). That is to say, it is not a pose and does not deal in deception. NLT James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. The psalmist describes this hypocritical "forked tongue".. )this wisdom is not from heaven; but as it displays itself on earth, so it is also of earthly origin. In eschatology, peace is prophesied to be an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom (Acts 10:36). The Greek term and the English equivalent to lie involve more than simply telling what is not true, for this could occur without an intent to deceive or mislead. Surely this man will make a very excellent pilgrim. They speak about having an open mind and about suspending judgment. "With the well-advised is wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10). All rights reserved). "There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword" (Proverbs 12:18). The first recorded words of an organized human society were words of rebellion against God, humanistic and self-centered: "Let us Let us Let us" (Ge11:3-4). Though carefully fashioned, it crumbled to pieces beneath the weight of the giant beast. Burdick observes that "James shifts almost unnoticeably from discussing the power of the tongue (James 3:3-6) to a discussion of its perversity (James 3:7-12). It is cloaked in Church talk, but it is dangerous and its origin is Hell. 2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. And as we have learned, none of the over 1600 NT commands can be successfully carried out in reliance on our own natural strength, but only in reliance on the supernatural strength provided by the Holy Spirit. Paul then refers to those who profess to bewise, (Ro 1:22+), who have jettisoned the clear evidence (Ro 1:19-20+) of the natural revelation of God (mocking the truth of a Creator and substituting the theory of Evolution). -Sper. There is a kind of depraved wisdom which seduces men and women away from their loyalty to God. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 3:17; 2 Pet. Several writers favor the meaning of the truth to be the Gospel which as Christians they professed to accept and promote. 1:5; 2 Tim. (ED: And Jesus responded with wisdom from above which trumped Satan's earthly wisdom! Click the Commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any Bible passage you are researching. We are to not to say "yes" and then out of the same mouth say "no." (Exploring the Epistle of James: An Expository Commentary). others come from being allowed to have it. Commentary on Romans 12:3-8. It is as if the "fresh water" of praise is polluted by the poison water of cursing. Burdick says selfish ambition speaks "of a self-seeking attitude bent on gaining advantage and prestige for oneself or one's group." The temporal contrast between heaven as eternal and earth as temporal (intimated in 1 Corinthians 15:40) is illustrated in 2 Corinthians 5:1 (our earthly house [our body]). defiles the whole body (James 3:6). If you see a church or a home where there is peace, it is because the members have worked to cultivate peace. Every age of the world, and every condition of life, private or public, affords examples of this. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Upon approaching its unsuspecting victim, it quickly chooses between two methods of capture. 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. So, in 1955, the Guinness brewing company decided that an official record was needed to pacify its customers. 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. Selah. By:Mart DeHaan(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. They aimed bitter speech as their arrow). 2:19 = it is evil and bitter For you to forsake the LORD your God; Jer. YLT James 3:15 this wisdom is not descending from above, but earthly, physical, demon-like. T'would make [strange] reading no doubt. Phillips Beasts, birds, reptiles and all kinds of sea-creatures can be, and in fact are, tamed by man, but no one can tame the human tongue. The more it burns, the faster it revolves until the whole wheel spins in a blaze, spitting fire in all directions. KJV James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. . "Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding" (Proverbs 14:33). The idea ofmercyis to show kindness or concern for someone in serious need or to give help to the wretched, to relieve the miserable. Does this describe your Christian life? It's when you feel like you have to say something that you end up saying the dumbest things. A hole or opening from which a spring of water issues (James 3:11)" (Zodhiates), Ope in the Septuagint (Lxx)- Ex33:22; Jdg. The evidence of the true wisdom in control (James 3:1718) BBE James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. "Maybe what I said will do him some good. No more can sea water yield fresh water. The force ofkatakauchaomaiis to brag about oneself in comparison with others. (BEC), Poison (2447)(iosfromhemi= to send) is something sent out and one Greek meaning is thus arrow, a meaning not found in the NT. (1) SPEAKING IDLE WORD - not according to the truth. Now are you really confused? In a fit of temper, Moses called God's people rebels (Num. Revelation, Search Wikipedia using spiritual discretion, Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James, Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. SINCE C. H. SPURGEON'S DEATH. "He that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel" (Proverbs 12:15). NAB James 3:11 Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? (So here the peaceful state is the result of divine discipline! . Steven Cole on wisdom that is pure -It may point to moral purity, but in the context here, it especially has the sense of being free from any jealousy or selfish ambition. GWN James 3:15 That kind of wisdom doesn't come from above. In 2:13, James used the verb of the triumph of mercy over strict justice in the coming judgment; here the picture relates to the triumph of arrogant pride over others in the interactions of daily life." You can do both with the mouth you have. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Its words will soothe and heal. James may well have been familiar with this picture from common experience in daily life. When we want to surprise others with the difference Christ makes, we may need to look no further than restraining our tongue. By his good behavior - Wuest has "a good and beautiful manner of life." Beloved, this is mind blowing! "Not one's orthodoxy (right preaching) but one's orthopraxis (right living) is the mark of true wisdom." In Proverbs 6:27 we read, "Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" (Ibid), POSB -It is contrary to the nature of believers to have an untamed tongue. 6:1+; Eph. Because of the length of some of the sections, some have merely been introduced (Proverbs 1:20-33below). But as they worked on their paintings and a woodcarving of the Last Supper, one of the POWs later recalled, A spontaneous stream of good feelings began almost at once to flow among us. No one spoke of the war or the past because we were here for a work of peace and love.. Ambrose. The characteristics of this wisdom (James 3:17) "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23). All too often, when we speak we remind everyone of our brokenness as human beings. Natural wisdom is that when come from the mind of fallen, unredeemed men, and therefore is able to only reflect a totally humanistic viewpoint regarding the world and men. It is followed by obedience to Gods Word. Proverbs 16:28A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. "He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness" (Proverbs 12:17). under the earth, which will confess Jesus is Lord. Anon. THE WHOLE MACHINERY OF SALVATION. Sophos was a technical termfor the teacher; in Jewish usage one who has a knowledge of practical moral wisdom resting on a knowledge of God and it was because of this association some commentators feel James is addressing primarily teachers, the ones who would be purveyors of wisdom. Anon. "Get wisdom Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get. Acts "Yes," replied the officer, "but the President asked my opinion of him; he did not ask for his opinion of me." Today, researchers continue to try to replicate that ancient formula, but without success. Bridle our tongues today and well be able to handle the rest of the horse. Thomas Goodwin, If the mouth be bad, the mind is not good. Anon. "A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). Seneca, Speech is only good when it is better than silence. Scripture speaks of believers blessing with theirtongue and not cursing. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue(damazo) him. James 3:5. A single match or even a small spark can start a fire that can destroy an entire forest (v.5). THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF A SERMON. In First Corinthians Paul repeatedly denounces man's natural wisdom which is really not wisdom in spiritual and eternal matters. This attainment, infinitely above all others, constitutes true wisdom. 7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. People enjoy teaching monkeys to act in commercials or training deer to eat out of their hands. Later, when someone asked how he could do that, Lee replied, "My friend, all ground is level at the foot of the cross.". ; Jas. (2) Censure with the more tenderness; give every action the allowance of human frailty (Galatians 6:1). Since the tongue is at the center of our life, it sets in motion a conflagration that will destroy "the entire course of your life." NIV James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. Reprinted by permission. BBE James 3:17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. Yet that same man cant tame the tongue perfectly. EVENING Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). Thank You that by Your Spirit my untamed tongue can be brought under divine control. Truth is not just doctrinal knowledge, but also godly living. 12:34). Richard Sibbes, If we cannot be believed on our word, we are surely not to be trusted on our oath. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. It is said that after the Civil War, General Robert E. Lee, a devout Christian, visited a church in Washington, D.C. During the Communion service, he was seen kneeling beside a black man. "Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father" (Proverbs 29:3). 5:11; Dan. ", Hell(only use outside synoptic Gospelsall others spoken by the Lord Jesus)(Gehenna) (1067)(geennafrom Hebrewgay= valley +Hinnom) is literally thevalley of Hinnom, the ravine or valley southwest of Jerusalem where the refuse and filth, human excrement, bodies of dead animals, and bodies of criminals were cast and burned. It took us two days to discover the rotting potatoes hidden in a bin out of view! 23:28; Jn. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:6). 1:27; Jas. "A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps" (Proverbs 29:5). (James 3 Commentary). All rights reserved), Words spoken rashly do more harm than good. Woe! And I more than half think Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New . Adrian Rogers -Watch the words of your mouth. It would be a great pity to stir up impure minds. 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. . 3:6. ; 2 Sa. Obviously he is not saying we are demon possessed but the comparison is worth noting. O let me cheerfully fulfill; She had never cooked beef tongue before! At first the signs are subtle, but soon bitterness swirls into a blizzard of complaints, unforgiveness, depression, sustained grief, hopelessness, and rage against God. (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. My granddaughter Bree loved the circus, but she was afraid of the tiger. Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. Lest we think that Christians do the blessing and non-Christians do the cursing, we need to remember that James was writing to Christians. Jas. Peace as a state of concord and harmony is the opposite of war. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. The man of the world desires to be counted anything but meek or poor in spirit, and would deem such a description of him equivalent to a charge of unmanliness. Hiebert adds that "The basic thought of eritheiaseems to be that of one who, for personal advantage, works to promote a definite cause in an unethical manner. Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. (see2 Ki 23:10, Jer 7:31; Jer 19:56; Jer 32:35) These fires in the "Valley of Hinnom"were continually burning, which is an apt symbol of the future home of all unrepentant, unregenerate wicked men and women (cf "eternal fire" in Mt 25:41). This is hypocrisy. We can make sure we are in the Spirit's control by incorporating Scripture into our life and by asking the Spirit to direct our thoughts and actions each day. We think of the wicked lie that the backslidden old prophet of Bethel told to the bright, young prophet from Judah (1 Kings 13:1-32). James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; Amplified With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who were made in Gods likeness! BDAG - "pertainingto being conducive to a harmonious relationship." (Ibid), Phillips -Some of the lies that the tongue tells are diabolically wicked. In James 3:3-5, James uses two commonplace but very vivid illustrations. The words which this wisdom utters may be of Gods glory, but their real aim is mans glory. Then we can be sure that what we say will be consistent and will bless others. 2:14; Jas. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Children of the King should use the language of the court. 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. The ability to listen is an essential life skill. Laws can help to minimize discrimination in housing and the workplace. Forgive us for speaking destructively to fellow Christians, and teach us to use wise words that can encourage and build their walk with You. Zephaniah No wonder James called the tongue "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. (Thayer). Only an evil tongue could do this. Can a grapevine produce figs? My brethren, these things ought not thus inappropriately to keep on taking place. What is in the well of your heart will show up in the bucket of your speech. C. T. Studd, The heart is the metal of the bell, the tongue but the clapper. The coals of jealousy quickly become a raging fire that will burn us severely. J. I. Packer, The kind of wisdom that God waits to give to those who ask him is a wisdom that will bind us to himself. (Ge 4:6-8). It can castigate and corrupt. Of the person who is in the habit of speaking with insults, ridicule or sarcasm, James demands, 'Change your speech habits.' Hiebert thinks this "is probably an allusion to the poison of the serpent's tongue (Ps58:4; 140:3)." (Thru The Bible). 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. Charles Simeon, We can be certain that God wants us to be wise, just as we are sure that he wants us not to sin. The parents were heartbroken when their young adopted daughter died in an unusual accident. It is easy to have "bitter envying and strife" in our hearts (James 3:14). Anothencan speak of place or time (from the beginning). While this is possible, as noted above, these comments would be just a appropriatefor all believers, whether they are teacher or not. Their careless speech was not just a matter of the words they used or attitudes they displayed, it also demonstrated their lack of concern for the impact those words could have on others. CSB James 3:10 Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. Good(18)(agathos)means intrinsically good, inherently good in quality but with the idea of good which is also profitable, useful, benefiting others, benevolent (marked by or disposed to doing good). Have been made (ginomai) is in the perfect tense which speaks of a past completed act and ongoing effect. "With the increase of his lips shall he be satisfied" (Proverbs 18:20). Contrary to old clichs, words do hurtoften deeply. The principal explained that this was a select group of young people, chosen not just for their singing but also for their Christian testimony and their walk with the Lord. Godly wisdom produces a continuing cycle of righteousness, which is planted and harvested in a peaceful, harmonious relationship between God and His faithful people and between those people themselves. James 3:3-6 James minces no words when he describes the power of the tongue. 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