My brethren, these things ought not to be so. The things he writes here apply to harmonious relationships in the church, but also in our homes and in all of life. The tiger employs one weapon of destruction: its razor-sharp teeth set in a vice-like jaw. We should not try to control our tongue with our own strength; we should rely on the Holy Spirit (ED: SEE TONGUE CONTROL). Today, bless as many people as possible with your words. Help me to control my tongue and to express myself clearly so that I wont cause dissension. Benjamin Franklin, If I speak what is false, I must answer for it; if truth, it will answer for me. By:Jennifer Benson Schuldt(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (Ibid), Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy like our Heavenly Father - "Be (present imperative= only possible by relying on the Holy Spirit to obey) merciful, just as your Father is merciful." "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). Proverbs 17:27. Its work can be so subtle that it sometimes escapes notice until the damage is done.". "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise" (Proverbs 21:20). Some troubles come from wanting to have our own way; others come from being allowed to have it. James 3:16. This is hypocrisy. Steven Cole on peaceable -Seeking peace in relationships is not a minor theme in the Bible! Such wise people will surely know how to control their tongue (as noted earlier in this chapter). - German proverb, A lengthy tongue and early death. The verb "flow from" (bruei), used only here in the New Testament, denotes something that is full to bursting; it indicates that the spring copiously gushes forth its water. Apt words come from a heart that is governed by God. Joshua It is the part of us which disobeys, defies, and rebels against God.". Is sown in peace by those who make peace- If you sow peace, you will reap peace, which is what wisdom from above sows. THOUGHT - PRAY - Lord, help me to think before I speak, to check my heart. ByDave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Laws can help to minimize discrimination in housing and the workplace. But they dont know whether the emotion comes from love and concern or disdain and disrespect, so we risk misunderstanding. In other texts earthly carries a definitely inferior meaning and suggests worldly or sinful or fleshly passions (Philippians 3:19; James 3:15). Because of the length of some of the sections, some have merely been introduced (Proverbs 1:20-33below). Existing upon the earth. These things ought not to be this way - Vine says literally "it is not befitting, these things so to be." This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. It is through communication that we connect and our spirits touch. "He layeth up sound wisdom for the upright" (Proverbs 2:7). But there is something we cannot tame. i. But beware of setting the bar too low by worrying about numbers. (Ps 90:12), Ultimately spiritual wisdom comes from the Spirit of Jesus Christ and was modelled perfectly by our Lord about Whom Isaiah prophesied "The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him (Mt 3:16), The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. (Ibid), George M Stulac concludes this section on the tongue writing that "To the person who speaks praise to God in the worship service and then abuses people verbally at home or at work, James commands, 'Purify your speech through the week.' Lord, my mouth sometimes speaks words that dont honor You. Reprinted by permission. Acquire understanding! What feeds your psyche? GWN James 3:13 Do any of you have wisdom and insight? Don't say that you are wise when it isn't true. There is there neither prayer nor sign of repentance for sin; yea, the brute in his kind serves God far better than he. NLT James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. You never know who may be listening. Richards, Warren Wiersbe -MIXED MESSAGES James says wisdom is reasonable; flexible; forgiving; peaceful; caring; given to friendly visits, small acts of courtesy, and kind words. "He that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel" (Proverbs 12:15). ESV James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. 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. Those words apply to all relationships. Some of the language that the tongue uses is so abysmally degrading that it can be attributed only to the activity of evil spirits. others come from being allowed to have it. "The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel" (Proverbs 20:15). Jealousy -The very nature of jealousy is to turn on those who harbor it; and it will ultimately destroy them. Their ruler summoned them to grant them one wish. Constable writes that "Not only is this phenomenon contrary to the will of God, it is also contrary to the natural order of things.". When man sinned in Eden, the likeness to God was severely marred but not lost. The tongue is the sum total of iniquity/sin, where "sum total" is defined as the whole amount of something taken into consideration, especially that which cannot be calculated numerically. However, Sidis lived the remainder of his life quietly in a series of obscure mechanical jobs. "In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found" (Proverbs 10:13). NAB James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. Nor am I saying we should listen to ourselves instead of to God and others. The true wisdom is so cleansed of all ulterior motives and of self that it has become pure enough to see God. As Steven Cole says "If we all would seek to live by these seven qualities of godly wisdom, personal conflicts would be greatly minimized and harmonious relationships would blossom and grow. It really isn't in me." My brothers, these things should not be this way. Is there any doubt which wisdom is better? (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James). ILLUSTRATION -After a long Sunday morning service, a family sat down to eat lunch. My friend is a Texas Aggie and has a little Dachshund dog ("weinerdog") and when you ask him "Do you want to be a Texas Longhorn," he rolls over and plays dead! James 3:18. What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship? I travel on the wings of the wind. In short,the entire unrighteous world system can find expression through the tongue. If you sow Gods wisdom, youll reap peace. (He was referring to World War I.) 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.. (Rom. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. Saying that one has godly wisdom is not the same as having it -- objective standards of judgment must be applied. While the truly wise set their minds on the things above, not on thing of the earth (Col 3:2), the earthly wise set their minds on earthly things (Phil 3:19). 3:19; Jas. What use is it to attract people by word of mouth, if when they examine the heart they find it empty? But if we do not heed Paul's command (only possible as we are empowered by the Spirit)to "not let sin reign (present imperative with a negative) in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts" (Ro 6:13+), then we are giving our fallen, sinful flesh an opening from which to spew forth "bitter water." "Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right" (Proverbs 16:13). . NRS James 3:18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace. Anon. Apart from Him and His plan to bring about eventual justice, we see much in life that is not fair. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. "A righteous man hateth lying" (Proverbs 13:5). "He that refraineth his lips doeth wisely" (Proverbs 10:19). Paul echoes this theme often. ASV James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. The show window of the Christian is most important. . The wisdom and grace of Christ are not necessarily found in conventional wisdom. Thus, the building of the Tower of Babel and a world capital city was begun. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. And guard each word I say. How, then, can I best honor God and help others? --Dennis De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. It is interesting that powerthesaurus.org lists the following words as the antonymsof gentleness - acrimony(rough and bitter manner), harshness, bitterness, sharpness, narcissism, unkindness, animosity, anger. Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. No part of us is in a more slippery place than the tongue. No alloys, not tainted by any impurity (in 1 Ti 5:22 hagnos is translated in NASB as "free from sin"). (Holman New Testament Commentary), Osborne on set on fire by hell - "..would mean the tongue becomes a tool of Satan to destroy the individual and the church. "I have taught thee in the way of wisdom" (Proverbs 4:11). Do you frequently and spontaneously offer prayers for others? But hardly anyone says, Listen to yourself. Im not suggesting that we have an inner voice that always knows the right thing to say. The deceptive thing about a poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then it kills. The existence of many of its villages depended on the availability of such a source for its water. On the other hand, to stand for righteousness, even though there must be conflict and suffering, is to sow the fruit wherefrom peace will come. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race- We can tame animals, animals that walk, fly, crawl and swim and animals from each of these groups has been tamed. . One source of catastrophic destruction among believers in Christ, however, is not a mystery. "The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (Proverbs 16:21). 21:11; Rom. Christian: That is, to them who have not thorough acquaintance with him; for he is best abroad; near home, he is ugly enough. Hiebert -In James 1:8, James used the adjective (akatastatos) to describe the impact of double-mindedness upon the individual, and in James 3:8 it is descriptive of the uncontrolled tongue. 12:36). He was the brother of the *apostle John. On the healthy tree every branch is laden with the fruits of mercy. 7:3; Zech. 16:13; 1 Chr. 5:21; Dan. . Bitterness on the inside will eventually manifest itself on the outside. Commentary on James 3:1-12 (Read James 3:1-12) We are taught to dread an unruly tongue, as one of the greatest evils. TECHNICAL NOTE - The Textus Receptus has the word akataschetos(from a = without + katecho = hold back or control) which means that which cannot be restrained, uncontrollable, untameable, unruly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men (TO WHOM CURSING COMES NATURALLY)? A man can bless God with his mouth, and he can blaspheme God. It corrupts the whole body. "A whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). NET James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. This is an incredible inconsistency for a believer. M R De Haan II (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Here before our eyes was a striking illustration of James 3:7: "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind." SOWING PEACE AND REAPING 24:9; Jer. Ezekiel CSB James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. James used this same verb in James 4:4+ "makes himself an enemy of God." "The mouth of the wicked speaketh perverseness" (Proverbs 10:32). Wisdom, wrote Charles Spurgeon, is a beauty of life that can only be produced by Gods workmanship in us.. If youre sowing worldly wisdom, youll reap disorder and every evil thing. Words are important to God. Bitter waters were made sweet at Marah when a divinely revealed tree was cast into them (Exod. Purity, as required by God, and exemplified in the measure of their faith by all Christs people, implies a superiority of soul, which will show itself continually in word and deed, to everything low and sensual, to everything selfish and mean,a freedom from petty views and sinister ends, and, on the contrary, a relish and love of everything really great and good. We must let the wisdom of God check our thoughts before they leave our tongues. Hiebert on behavior -His winsome daily conduct should demonstrate his possession of the needed practical insight and understanding to deal with the daily problems of life. One thing you can give and still keep is your word. Have been made (ginomai) is in the perfect tense which speaks of a past completed act and ongoing effect. Promote health with wise words (Proverbs 12:18). James used other vivid analogies to illustrate the enormous power of this little member of the body. The important thing, of course, is the heart; for it is "out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh" (Matt. NET James 3:7 For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. There is a kind of cruel wisdom which takes a delight in hurting others with clever but cutting words. "A false witness, deceit" (Proverbs 12:17). let him show by his good life his works in meekness of wisdom. Thoughts from Don Anderson on James 3:6 (source). There were many teachers or rabbins among the Jews, each affecting to have THE truth, and to draw disciples after him. But Christian wisdom is based on Christian certainties which come to us from God through Jesus Christ." "Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles" (Proverbs 21:23). 4:6; Isa. NIV James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Already in the Antiquity James' epistle needed quite some time to be generally accepted. After all is done, "yet ye have not.". Dikaiosuneis rightness of character before God and rightness of actions before men. If we look earnestly and in faith, we can find God's way for doing ministry in Scripture, often the last place we go. It is merciful and without hypocrisy (Jas. John Calvin, The only way to know is to will to do Gods will. When the wisdom of the world gets into the church, there is a great deal of fleshly promotion and human glorification. And the lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Just when we think we have our mouths under control, something will set us off, and we will maul someone with angry or bitter words. In the corridor he met a friend who asked, "Has he finished yet?" : Pass. under the earth, which will confess Jesus is Lord. The Promised Land was described as a land of springs of water. [123] There is a different reading at the end of the James 3:12, adopted by Griesbach, though rejected by Mill and others: houtos oute haluchon gluchu poiosai hudor, "So neither can salt water produce sweet." This reading is favored by the Syr. Instead of promoting harmony, this "wisdom" causes disruption and unruliness; instead of creating closer fellowship among the members, it destroys it. When words and actions agree, the message is loud and clear. Its propensity for destruction is much greater. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. Here it denotes the incongruity of blessing and cursing coming out of the same mouth. Gabriel. Nothing is more pleasing to God than self-sacrifice that grows out of obedience. 1:4; Jas. Unlike the human mouth (James 3:10), a fountain will not send forth sweet and bitter from the same opening. She had never heard about Jesus Christ, and when the teacher described the beautiful life of Jesus Christ, she thought she was describing the missionary. Their wisdom is more characteristic of the world, the flesh, and the devil than of God. And so, the same Bible that says, "Be ready to hear," says, "Be slow to speak." Clearly Paul was afraid that wisdom which was earthly, natural and demonic had crept into the Church at Corinth and potentially was wreaking havoc in the harmony of the body, resulting in disorder and every evil thing. 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. 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