In the first two chapters of James he speaks of outward actions as indicating the faith (or lack of faith) in the heart. Words mean little if insincere. James proceeds to show us in chapter 3 that words as well as actions are important, and a lack of faith is shown not only by what people do but also by what they say. My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. Masters means teachers. James says that a teacher has a greater responsibility and will face a stricter judgment from God because of the danger of teaching the wrong thing. We will be judged for the way we teach His Word. A teacher is responsible for the lives and spiritual growth of those under him or her. If a teacher fails to live what he teaches he shall bear a greater judgment and condemnation. Teaching is a high calling. But a person should not fear this responsibility and neglect the gift of teaching. A teachers main tool for work is speech or the tongue. The tongue and its use will have a great bearing on the teacher's condemnation. Verse 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. In many ways we all stumble. There is no exception. Teachers as well as other believers. No matter how great a teacher he or she is or who he or she is, is free from stumbling or falling at one time or another. Again we all stumble in many things. We are held accountable by God fore every word we speak. We must learn to control our tongues. A person's maturity can be measured by the control of the tongue. If a person can learn to control his tongue, he can learn to control any passion or appetite of the body. The tongue speaks what is in the heart or mind, and the tongue will either justify us or condemn us before God. I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned. Matthew 12:36-37 The tongue tells us who we are. The servant girl said to Simon Peter, "your speech betrays you." Matthew 26:73 Our speech tells who we are, our tongue gives us away. It tells us where we came from, whether we are ignorant or educated, cultured or crude, whether you are a believer or a blasphemer, whether you are a Christian or non-Christian to name a few. Verse 3-4 Indeed, we put bits in horses mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 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 James uses two illustrations in these verses to describe the power of the tongue. The tongue symbolizes control. It is the most influential member of the body. His first illustration is the horse's bridle. The horse, a large animal is guided by the bit in its mouth. With a small bit placed in the mouth of the horse, we are able to turn his whole body. A run away horse can bring death and destruction. In the same way, although the tongue is asmall member of the body, it changes our whole direction. Without a bridle on our tongue, there is no real self-control. The next illustration is of a ship. Using a helm or rudder which may be small can direct the course of the ship. Like wise, the tongue can direct one's destiny. It can influence where we go in life. The tongue is more dangerous than a runaway horse or a storm at sea. These 6 things the Lord hates; yea, 7 are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. So a lying tongue is one the seven things God hates. Proverbs 6:16-17 We see then that the tongue claims great power for itself, though small, but it can cause great trouble if not properly controlled. FOREST FIRE!!
James 3, Verse 5-6 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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 set on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire by hell. Fire is considered to be the most destructive force known to man. Yet, some of the most devastating fires are started by sparks, causing a raging inferno that burns millions of acres. James describes the uncontrolled tongue as "a fire, a world of iniquity." An unstrained word can destroy lives and relationships. The tongue when under control can be a blessing, but when out of control it can be devastating. Once again we see that Peter's tongue betrayed him, and he denied his Lord. But later God used that same tongue on the day of Pentecost to bring thousands into the kingdom. Evil use of the tongue is a fire set by hell. That is pretty strong language. Verse 7-8 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind: But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James points out mans' ability to tame even the wildest of animals. But yet with all this great ability, man cannot bring his own tongue under control. It is impossible to bring the tongue under control without the aid of the Holy spirit. James adds that the tongue is full of deadly poison. Verses 9-10 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. James gives us a picture of a mouth that is uttering at one moment words of religious devotion to God, and yet a little later is cursing fellow men. One commentary made this remark. The Bible calls a man a hypocrite who sings like an angel on Sunday and then talks like a demon during the week. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. According to James some of us may need to clean up our conversation! James 3:11-18
Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
THIS IS THE JUDGMENT
that the Light has come into the world,
and men loved the darkness rather than the Light,
for their deeds were evil.
GOD so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have
Eternal LIFE. For God did not send his Son into the world
to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
He who believes in Him is not judged;
he who does not believe has been judged already,
because he has not believed in the name of the only
begotten Son of God. John 3:16-19
Page date April, 2002
Updated May 2007