James Chapter 3 Part 2

 

James Chapter 3 Part 2

Taming the Tongue

Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Jas 3:11

Doth a fountain... Questions 12. Next, Jas. 3:13. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

Four Comparisons (Jas. 3:11-12):

1. A fountain cannot produce sweet and bitter water at the same time

2. A fig tree cannot produce olives

3. A vine cannot produce figs

4. The ocean cannot produce sweet water

A fountain does not produce both bitter and sweet water at the same time. The well spoken of here, is the heart of man. Look at what Jesus said about this.

Matthew 12:34 “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.”

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”

It is more than obvious in all this; a tongue that speaks evil comes from an impure heart.

Again James turned to the natural elements to illustrate his point. Anticipating a negative response, James asked, Can both fresh (lit., “sweet,” glyky) water and salt (lit., “bitter,” pikron) water flow, or “bubble up,” from the same spring?

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Jas 3:12

Can the fig... Questions 13. Next, Jas. 3:14. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

The last clause (of verse 12), differs from those that precede it. The former are questions that attempt to illustrate; this one is a statement to teach. As salt water cannot make sweet water, so the person who curses others cannot bless God. The cursing of people truly indicates what lies within a person.

There are many who profess Christianity who is not truly sold out to Christ. We are what we are in our inner man. The heart of man is the determining factor. This is one of the main reasons why I believe a person who is sold out to God cannot be possessed of a devil.

Light and darkness cannot dwell in the same place; the darkness is overcome by the Light. We must decide whether we will follow God, or whether we will follow Lucifer. We cannot do both. The Light of God, within us, does away with all darkness. The Light represents the sweet water. Darkness and salt water go hand in hand.

Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Of course not. Neither does salt (halykon) make water sweet (glyky). The point is clear: a believer’s tongue should not be an instrument of inconsistency.

Small and influential, the tongue must be controlled; satanic and infectious, the tongue must be corralled; salty and inconsistent, the tongue must be cleansed.

Wisdom from Above

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. Jas 3:13

Who is a... Questions 14. Next, Jas. 3:15. Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

a wise man... One who can bridle his own tongue and is qualified to teach others. “Wise” is the common Greek word for speculative knowledge and philosophy, but the Hebrews infused it with the much richer meaning of skillfully applying knowledge to the matter of practical living.

a good conversation... Greek: anastrophe, conduct; behavior. The word for “understanding” is used only here in the New Testament and means a specialist or professional who could skillfully apply his expertise to practical situations. James is asking who is truly skilled in the art of living.

with meekness of... True wisdom is always accompanied with meekness and gentleness. Scholars are sometimes proud, overbearing, and disdainful. Such men have education, but not true wisdom. This is the opposite of arrogance and self-promotion. The Greeks described it as power under control.

Beginning (at verse 13), James says that godly wisdom is necessary in a teacher. The teacher must exhibit a meek and practical application of the truth. One cannot teach what one does not live.

Wisdom, the kind that comes only from God, is a gift from God. Those who have wisdom, and the Holy Spirit has given them knowledge of God’s Word, show the world by their actions and their speech, they are believers.

This is just saying, your life and your speech will reveal to those around you, who you are in Christ. Bragging of your position with Christ has no place. Those who truly have a wonderful relation with Christ do not need to brag. They are generally humble people who just love God.

Cultivate thought

A key to right talk is right thought. The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes. It is not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it is wisdom — a wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace, and peace.

Wisdom Is Humble

James asked the rhetorical question, Who is wise and understanding among you? “Wise” (sophos; cf. sophias in Jas. 1:5) describes one with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life. “Understanding” (epistēmōn) refers to intellectual perception and scientific acumen.

Let him show it. Here is an original “show and tell.” Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds. It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life. The good life and deeds are best portrayed in the humility of wisdom, or “wise meekness” (prautēti sophias). The truly wise man is humble.

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. Jas 3:14

But if ye... If you have this condition of heart, you don’t have true wisdom. Even if you defend religion, you are false in your profession and lie against the truth.

bitter envying and... Eight characteristics of false wisdom:

1. Bitter envying (Jas. 3:14, 3:16). Greek: zelos.

2. Strife in the heart (Jas. 3:14, 3:16)

3. Glory in profession (Jas. 3:14)

4. Earthly, having this life only in view (Jas. 3:15)

5. Sensual, living only to satisfy the animal appetites (Jas. 3:15)

6. Devilish, inspired by demons (Jas. 3:15)

7. Confusion (Jas. 3:16)

8. Every evil work (Jas. 3:16)

The Greek term for “bitter” was used of undrinkable water. When combined with “jealousy” it defines a harsh resentful attitude toward others.

strife in your... refers to self-seeking that engenders antagonistic and factionalism. The Greek word came to describe anyone who entered politics for selfish reasons and sought to achieve his agenda at any cost. (i.e. even if that means trampling on others).

Each of us has his own special place with Christ. He has not called us to the same job as someone else. We should never look at someone else and be jealous, or want what they have. To want something someone else has, even if it is their relation with Christ, is coveting. God called each of us to do a job for Him that He could entrust us with.

Wisdom Is Gracious

True wisdom makes no room for bitter envy (“zealous jealousy”) or for selfish ambition (“factious rivalry,” erithian, from eritheuō, “to spin wool,” thus working for personal gain). This is nothing to glory about. To boast (lit., “exult,” katakauchasthe) in such attitudes is to deny, or “lie against,” the truth.

This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jas 3:15

not from above... Self-centered wisdom that is consumed with personal ambition is not from God.

earthly, sensual, devilish... A description of man’s wisdom as:

(1) Limited to earth;

(2) Characterized by humanness, frailty, an unsanctified heart, and an unredeemed spirit; and

(3) General by Satan’s forces (1 Cor. 2:14; 2 Cor. 11:14-15).

Bitterness and strife of all kinds come from the devil. All things that please the flesh are earthy, or of this earth. The spiritual things are not based on things of the earth. Lucifer was jealous and wanted to be God.

You can see that this type of earthly wisdom and power is not spiritual. We must come out of the world (Egypt), before we can go to the Promised Land (heaven). We must do away with all desires of the flesh to be of God.

Envy and strife are clear indicators that one’s so-called wisdom is not from above (cf. Jas. 1:17), but is earthly, unspiritual (“natural, sensual,” psychikē), and of the devil (“demonic,” daimoniōdēs).

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. Jas 3:16

there is confusion... This is the confusion that results for the instability and chaos of human wisdom.

every evil work... Literally “every worthless (or vile), work.” This denotes things that are not so much intrinsically evil as they are simply good for nothing.

The natural man does not receive the things of God. Envy and strife are of the flesh. We must crucify the flesh to live with Christ. Envy causes many other sins. Christians are in this world, but we should not be controlled by earthly desires.

Envy and selfish ambition, or rivalry, can only produce disorder, or confusion, and every evil practice. A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving.

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. Jas 3:17

wisdom that is... Eight characteristics of divine wisdom:

1. Pure—chaste, holy and clean

2. Peaceable (Heb. 12:14)

3. Gentle—meek, modest, and kind

4. Easily entreated—not stubborn or obstinate, but yielding to others

5. Full of mercy—always forgiving and performing acts of kindness

6. Full of good fruits (Gal. 5:22-23)

7. Without partiality—having no respect of persons (Jas. 2:1-10)

8. Without hypocrisy—open, honest, genuine, and true

is first pure... This refers to spiritual integrity and moral sincerity. Every genuine Christian has this kind of heart motivation (Psm. 24:3-4; 51:7; Mat. 5:8; Rom. 7:22-23; Heb. 12:14).

then peaceable... Means “peace loving” or “peace promoting” (Mat. 5:9).

gentle and easy... This word is difficult to translate, but most nearly means a character trait of sweet reasonableness. Such a person will submit to all kinds of mistreatment and difficulty with an attitude of kind, courteous, patient humility, without any thought of hatred or revenge (Mat. 5:10-11).

to be entreated,... Meaning willing to yield. The original term described someone who was teachable, compliant, easily persuaded, and who willingly submitted to military discipline or moral and legal standards. For believers, it defines obedience to God’s standards (Mat. 3:5).

full of mercy... The gift of showing concern for those who suffer pain and hardship, and the ability to forgive quickly (Mat. 5:7; Rom. 12:8).

and without hypocrisy... The Greek word occurs only here in the New Testament and denotes a consistent, unwavering person who is undivided in his commitment and conviction and does not make unfair distinctions.

Notice the word “but” in the verse above. It shows a direct contrast to the earthly man. This has jumped to those who are sold out to God. The wisdom from above comes to the believers. This wisdom is stored in a heart that is pure. Knowing of the security that is in Christ brings peace. When we are at peace with God and man, we are gentle.

If we expect God to be merciful to us, we must be merciful to others. Christians should bear good fruit. You cannot be a Christian and a hypocrite at the same time. A true Christian is 100% the Lord’s.

Wisdom Is Peaceable

Wisdom that comes from heaven (lit., “wisdom from above”; cf. “from above” in Jas. 1:17) is first… pure or “holy” (hagnē), then peace-loving, considerate or “forbearing,” submissive or “easy to be entreated” (eupeithēs, only used here in the NT), full of mercy and good fruit, impartial (lit., “without uncertainty”; cf. “not doubt” in Jas. 1:6), and sincere (“without hypocrisy”).

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Jas 3:18

And the fruit... Peacemakers are continually recommending this divine wisdom to others.

Good works that result from salvation (verse 17, Mat. 5:6; Gal. 5:22-23; Phil. 1:11).

them that make... Righteousness flourishes in a climate of spiritual peace.

Mat. 5:9 “Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

John 4:36 “And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

Peace is the seed sown that yields a harvest (lit., “fruit”) of righteousness. The truly wise man is a man of peace.

To achieve “righteousness,” spiritual maturity, practical holiness — the theme of this book — a believer must learn to speak with care. Winsome speech comes from a wise spirit. A controlled tongue is possible only with cultured thought. A mouth filled with praise results from a mind filled with purity.

A believer should stand confidently (Jas. 1:1-27), serve compassionately (Jas. 2:1-26), and speak carefully (Jas. 3:1-18). He should be what God wants him to be, do what God wants him to do, and speak as God wants him to speak.