(Proverbs 18:21), "The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. (1 Cor 14:33). (Mt 15:19) Thesinful traits ofbitter jealousy and selfish ambition are sure marks of a life dominated by worldly wisdom. Ah, brethren, this is because we have taken in Satans conception of manliness instead of Gods. c. The outcome of this wisdom (James 3:16) Does your mouth spew grumbling and complaints? NIV James 3:15 Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. (Ibid). But how can believers carry out this command to show good behavior? The prescription James offers is to seek the wisdom from above. It is full of mercy and good deeds. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? (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). We became aware of it when we took home a report card with this note from the teacher: "Good student, but he talks too much." 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. "The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom" (Proverbs 10:31). Amen. Once I even heard him use the Lords name in vain. That will mark the beginning of harmonynot havoc. No physician can heal the wounds inflicted by the tongue. Who will GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH so growth will be produced by the Word, PRODUCING His fruitage of LOVE IN OUR LIVES that knows no discrimination. ." Only God can turn bitter water sweet. Be sensitive to Gods Spirit. Instead of fighting, we need to be helpful, positive, and encouraging toward others. William Jenkyn, An evil speaker is his own scourge. The source of this wisdom, he pointed out, is evil. Are you living wisely before a foolish world? It is interesting that when our Lord came to that dumb man, the Gospel writer is very careful to say, "He touched his mouth!" Do not hold the faith: The glorious faith we have, the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, should never be associated with partiality (discrimination). James 3:18. Unbelievers lack the supernatural power to tame this vicious beast. (James 2:15-16+) God's wisdom motivates us to build up rather than tear down. The rock from which they sprang determined the quality of the water, such as at Elim or conversely at Marah. James uses the antonym of spilosdescribing"Pure and undefiled religion" as he who keeps (enabled by the Holy Spirit)"oneself unstained (aspilos) by the (unholy)world." NET James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. We bless(present tense= indicating this is what one usually does) (2127)(eulogeofromeu= good +lgos= word) means speak good or well, to praise, to extol. . JAMES 3:8 Intellectual ability, in and of itself, is of course not inherently evil. It is a closed system, a circumscribed box, as it were, of man's own making and choosing under satanic prompting. Be careful today how you speak to others. In using phaulos the idea is not so much primarily that which is malignant, but rather that which isgood for nothing and withoutpossibility of ever yielding any good. They say and do the right things at the right time for the right reasons. Peace as a state of concord and harmony is the opposite of war. This is hypocrisy. "To understand the words of the wise, and their dark sayings" (Proverbs 1:6). a. Using blunt words, they deliberately bump into others feelings, which is anything but harmless. He was an apostle, and he was the Lord's brother, yet he mentions not these greater things, but he takes the lowly title, in which, no doubt, he felt the highest honor, and calls himself "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." The very world of iniquity- Continuing his lurid description of the tongue, Jamesadds the unusual phrase the very world of iniquity. . If the Lord Jesus Christ is a stranger to you, the best that you can hope for is to become a philosopher, like Socrates of old. (Jn 3:31). 8 Prize her, and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. 36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. in earth (epigein), and. But, as you know, brethren, in man, as he now is by nature, the spirit is darkened, perverted, and weakened; it is dethroned through sin; and only the enlightening and strengthening energy of Gods Spirit can enable our spirits to take their rightful dignity and rule. Words have the potential to kill relationships, paralyze love, poison minds, destroy faith, stain purity and deface reputations. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition. 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). without partiality and without hypocrisy. Malachi 3:1. And here in James defiles is in the present tense signifying an ongoing evil, polluting effect on one's body! Hugh of St Victor, A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. "The heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness" (Proverbs 12:23). (Matt. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. GNT James 3:14 , . Clearly in James 3:14zelos is used with the negative nuance describing an unholy zeal(as in Acts 5:17+, Acts 13:45, Ro 13:13, 1 Co. 3:3, 2 Cor 12:20, Gal 5:20). The fruit of this wisdom (James 3:18) (Hiebert - James Commentary). Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes (aspis). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts of the body. James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 9The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice (present imperative) these things (cf, GOOD BEHAVIOR in James 3:13) and the God of peace will be with you (NOTICE FRUIT OF PEACE IS SAME AS WITH HEAVENLY WISDOM! In Scripture the term "wisdom" ordinarily signifies the knowledge and fear of God, especially that enlightening of the mind which flows from the word and spirit of Christ; and the superior excellence of this wisdom may be well expressed in the words of Solomon ( Proverbs 3:13, 14 ). Reprinted by permission. Wearein a war over words. 12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, And if you scoff, you alone will bear it. The generosity and goodwill that Paul expressed toward self-serving church leaders is a mark of the authentic Christian spirit (Phil. 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: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (1Co 3:3). 21 Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife. So shed better see her dentist soon! then am I in this man greatly deceived. The animal has a very menacing presence, stretching 500 lbs. Johnstone -When James says that the fruit righteousness is sown, the expression is one implying a lively anticipation of results; as if a man planting acorns were to tell you that he was sowing an oak forest, or a farmer should this spring be said to sow next winters bread. Knowledge is not wisdom. . Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds. Pikros is used here to describe jealousy as bitter. Are you reading secular books (self-help, etc, which have now infiltrated Christian bookstores!) In June 2002, the Hayman fire destroyed more than 137,000 acres of beautiful mountain forest in Colorado. By:Mart DeHaan(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. ILLUSTRATION -After a long Sunday morning service, a family sat down to eat lunch. I heard about a professing Christian who got angry on the job and let loose with some oaths. 3 John (Pr 18:21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. That's why spreading gossip is so difficult to resist. They aimed bitter (pikros) speech as their arrow. All rights reserved). If we listen to ourselves before speaking out loud, we can judge our hearts before our careless words harm others or sadden our God. Faithful: Well, he seems to be a very pretty man. Is your speech profitable to others? 1:10; Ezek. And they go down into the innermost parts" (Proverbs 18:8). Adoniram Judson. Friberg says sophos generally describes "acquired intelligence characterized by the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior (1Cor 6:5)." (Col 3:1-4+). Phillips For wherever you find jealousy and rivalry you also find disharmony and all other kinds of evil. 2:24; Jas. That is the real meaning of the word in the original Greek, katakauchsthe. Beloved, this is mind blowing! "The lips of the wise shall preserve them" (Proverbs 14:3). Bless (present imperative- Need for the Holy Spirit) those who persecute you;bless (present imperative- Need for the Holy Spirit) and do not curse (present imperative with a negative). In the intertestamental period, it came to be used symbolically as the place of divine punishment (cf. No man can tame the tongue, he wrote. Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. And hearts will be blest by them every day. On Listening Communication courses are useful and homiletics helps, but no amount of discipline and training can quell the wayward tongue. There is a kind of depraved wisdom which seduces men and women away from their loyalty to God. This pipeline is reciprocal. so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. So if we see someone in need and "do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" C. S. Lewis, Surely the essence of wisdom is that before we begin to act at all, or attempt to please God, we should discover what it is that God has to say about the matter. And if one is unable to obey this command and instead continually exhibits a persistent attitude of arrogance, this person is not a believer! Such a person knows how to make allowances, when not to stand upon individual rights, and how to soften justice with mercy, and always remembers that there are greater things in the world than rules and regulations. ", MacArthur has an excellent explanation of earthly wisdom as that which is "limited to the present, material world of time and space. 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 20:8; Jer. James 3 James 3 He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. What do you allow into your mind? Burdick thinks that "In reality, he is not referring to the tongue of flesh but to the intelligent, communicating mind that uses the tongue as its instrument. (Php 4:8-9+) "Therefore if (SINCE) you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking (present imperative) the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Used by Permission. Jesus taught that "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." One Man has been shown us by God, in Whom His ideal of man was embodied; and He, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, threatened not, but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: (1 Peter 2:23+)He for those who nailed Him to the tree prayed, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Lk 23:34+) The worlds spirit of wrath, then, must be folly; whilst than a spirit of meekness (gentleness)like His (JESUS), in the midst of controversy, oppositions, trials of whatever kind, there can be no surer evidence that Jesus is made of God to His people wisdom.(Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James)(Bold added), Zodhiates -When everything goes wrong and troubles abound and the Christian can still go about his duties in life without revolting against God, against Wisdom, then he is possessed with this wonderful meekness of wisdom. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and spirit to a life truly taken captive by God. (Ibid), ILLUSTRATION/APPLICATION -Settling arguments peacefully in English pubs has often been a difficult task. My brothers and sisters, this should not happen! So, "under God" there is equalitybut only under God. . Do you talk too much and not give opportunity for others to speak? (THIS IS AMAZING - HE DID NOT HAVE THE INDWELLING SPIRIT BUT GOD TELLS HIM HE MUST MASTER IT - SOMEHOW THE SPIRIT WOULD HAVE GIVEN THE POWER NECESSARY HAD HE WANTED TO "KILL SIN") Cain told Abel his brother. For "in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). 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. -- Author unknown. Proverbs 21:23, The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. 4:2+; Col. 3:12+; 2 Tim. Booker T Washington, Psalm 64:3 Who whet their tongues like a sword and have aimed the arrows, even bitter words, that they may shoot in secret at the innocent. Guzik on lie against the truth -Anyone who shows bitter envy and self-seeking should not deceive anyone especially themselves about how wise they are. In other words "dichotomousdialogue" has absolutely no place in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. - The rhetorical question expects a strong negative reply. George Barlow, Wisdom has never made a bigot, but learning has. While recording interviews for a radio program, I asked people on the street in New York City if they believed all men are created equal. It has a vast potential for evil. Similarly, when gossip reaches the ear of someone who will not repeat it, it dies. a) But theres one beast not even PT Barnum could tamethe tongue! By:Bill Crowder(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 23:33; Mk. A country merchant once visited New York. Full of deadly is the combination wordthanatephoros (from thnatos =death+ phr =to bring) is literally death bearing or death bringing and is used only here in the NT. Similarly, James produces four exhibits of things that negate wisdom." NET James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth. A passage in the Bible actually seems to call such attitudes wise. May God enable all of His children to bephilsophos, "philosophers, lovers of wisdom," not lovers of the world's wisdom but of God's heavenly wisdom, in Jesus' Name. KJV James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes we can cross a relational Rubicon with the words we say to others. 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. That's not a bad description of our tongue which is capable of such evil that it cannot be "calculated numerically!" A host of positive qualities follow true heavenly wisdom. We practice. 19:29; Jn. They had speakers who didn't do and doers who didn't speak. Two ships collided in the Black Sea in 1986, hurling hundreds of passengers into the icy waters and causing a tragic loss of life. Warren Wiersbe -The problem, of course, is not the tongue; it is the heart. She had never cooked beef tongue before! Aletheiais that which is not concealed, but instead is is that which is seen or expressed as it really is. 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. James 3:15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. GNT James 3:11 ; NLT James 3:11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? BDAG says epistemon pertains "to being knowledgeable in a way that makes one effectual in the exercise of such knowledge." And guard each word I say. A Christian high school had taken its chorale to England to minister to the churches there. 2 Corinthians Righteousness of God could be succinctly stated as all that God is, all that He commands, all that He demands, all that He approves, all that He provides through Christ. "The lip of truth shall be established for ever" (Proverbs 12:19). These behaviors come from a heart that is unlike God's heart. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery (THIS SPEAKS OF THE GOSPEL - THE FIRST DIVINE "WISDOM" THAT ONE MUST RECEIVE BEFORE HE CAN RECEIVE FURTHER DIVINE WISDOM! ESV James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. He contrasts it with worldly wisdom that inevitably leads to conflict. ), willing to yield, compliant, congenial, open to reason. (Author Unknown), LIFE APPLICATION - EXCUSES FOR SPEAKING YOUR MIND. Ungodly wisdom has the same "hellish" source as an ungodly tongue "which is set on fire from hell.". We will be held accountable for our words at the Judgment seat of Christ. On the other hand, if you sow worldly wisdom (with its "seeds" of selfishness and strife) you will reap disorder and every evil thing (conflict, disharmony, etc). Reprinted by permission. We must get our "spiritual roots" deep into His Word. It will not compromise with sin to maintain peace. If you do service for the glory of God, you won't get offended if you don't get recognized or patted on the back. After bearing up under the onslaught of Eliphaz the Temanite (Job 4:15:27), he was brought to the point of frustration. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. May my lips be so full of praise for You and encouragement for others that they have no opportunity to do any harm. We must pray and meditate and permit the Spirit of God to fill our hearts with God's love and truth. Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. John Evelyn, Wisdom and the will of God are intimately related Nothing is more vital for practical knowledge of the purpose of God than wisdom. Behavior(conduct, lifestyle) (391)(anastrophefromana= again +strepho= to turn) literally describes a turning around or turning back and is used figuratively ofa turning here and there in the daily affairs of life, and thus refers toone's conduct, especially focusing on our daily behavior and our general deportment. James asks, "Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?" Matthew Henry, If nobody said anything unless he knew what he was talking about, what a ghastly hush would descend upon the earth! He wrote, The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. NRS James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. Are you watching shows and listening to talk radiothat regurgitates the same mindless gibberish? All rights reserved, Summary of Study of James from chapter 1-3. He was one of the first to believe in the *Lord Jesus and he was one of the *apostles. A United States President asked a certain general a question about another officer. While I acknowledge that it is not always wrong to sue, I was moved by the choice of those parents to follow the pure, peaceable, and gentle way (Jas. James 3. ASV James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Jesus alluded to this principle in His Sermon on the Mount when he said, But let your statement be, Yes, yes or No, no; anything beyond these is of evil. Godly wisdom that is reasonable does not push its own rights or opinions without listening to and respecting the rights and opinions ofothers. But the examples cited so obviously condemn man's inconsistency that no application is needed.". A. W. Tozer, It is a fact that those whose lives are daily being conformed to the Word and purposes of God will be given the ability to see issues more plainly. Wiersbe -As it spreads, fire destroys; and the words we speak have the power to destroy. A second whale took one end of a rope from another trainer and carried it 100 feet down the pool to the first trainer. "A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it" (Proverbs 29:11). Pride prattles on and on. According to researchers who recently examined parts recovered from the wreck, impure rivets made of wrought iron rather than steel caused the ships hull to open like a zipper. Or do you often regret your words? What the Bible teaches a cleft rock becomes a fountainthe water flows and is either sweet or bitter depending on the nature of its source. It is just as impossible for a spring to give fresh and salt water at the same time. Thomas Watson, Words are the looking-glass of the mind. He writes. (Burdick), Zodhiates adds that "The verb epistamaifrom which this participle is derived does not refer only to theoretical knowledge, but also to the doing of things. 4 vols, Sangster, 1867 Greenfield, W., . Reprinted by permission. Phillips Are there some wise and understanding men among you? We are not left to our own devices. God loves us with an ardent, intense affection that can deliver us from our foolishness if we yield ourselves to Him. They have all come to God as sinners and have found forgiveness in the cross of Christ. He knows how to peddle his wickedness. Psalms Phillips Blessing and curses come out of the same mouth - surely, my brothers, this is the sort of thing that never ought to happen! Richard Hooker, Many people would be more truthful were it not for their uncontrollable desire to talk. . 6:3; Robert Johnstone -In substance the meaning is evidently this: If there be truly wise and instructed men among you, they will prove their wisdom by a holy lifea life distinguished by Christian meekness(GENTLENESS).' It pervades philosophy, education, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, and every other dimension and aspect of contemporary human life. By:Bill Crowder(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. E. Stanley Jones, Sharp tongues have a way of sharpening other tongues. James 3:13 Divine wisdom James Brewster. (Ibid), POSB -It is contrary to the nature of believers to have an untamed tongue. This verb is widely used inclassical Greekfor gaining control of animals, people, nature, or anything requiring effort to master. atdiscoveryseries.org/q0703. James 1:19+ would be a good description of the eupeithes person who is "quick to hear." We might be inclined to throw up our hands and cry "Which is it James? ", Zodhiates -Although theologians continue to debate about the precise nature of the imago Dei in man, variously defining it as ontological, sociological, functional or moral, one thing is certain from this passage, namely, that even fallen man retains some semblance (however badly marred by sin) of the divine impress given him at the original creation. Those "peaceful" animals were capable of doing great damage, and even killing. Mattoon -When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission. Our motive for seeking wisdom or for using wisdom must always be to glorify God and to build up the person to whom we are speaking. Christian: He is the son of one Say-well; he dwelt in Prating Row; and is known of all that are acquainted with him, by the name of Talkative in Prating Row; and notwithstanding his fine tongue, he is but a sorry fellow. When we experience bless/curse inconsistency (but you never have this problem do you beloved?) The tongue reveals either maturity or immaturity. So lets control our tongues. Righteousness bears fruit after its kind, and that is peace. And whereabout does he dwell? There is no evil to which the unregenerate heart of man is heir that the tongue cannot promote. The Bible teaches that all people are created in the image of God, that they are all accountable for what they do with whatever He has given them, and that someday they will all die. Faith is demonstrated by works, and wisdom is demonstrated by good behaviorand gentleness. Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. 3:15 No uses in the Septuagint. Amplified Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? In other words, the tongue is ALWAYS capable of springing forth out of its "cage" and inflicting vicious wounds! (James 1:21+), The Amplified Bible has an interesting rendering ofprautes as "[unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. Daniel (Mt 5:9+), Make (present tense)(4160)(poieo)means "to do" which focuses more on the end/achievement of the action. From above was a rabbinical way of referring to Yahweh (cf every good thing in James 1:17+). "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). (James 3 Commentary). It is not wisdom that "falls" from above, but which originates from the fall! In its only pre-New Testament occurrences (in Aristotle), eritheia refers to the selfish ambition, the narrow partisan zeal of factional, greedy politicians, so this word may also conveythe notion of rivalry, party-spirit, or factiousness. Be arrogant(2620)(Katakauchaomaifromkata= against +kauchaomai= to boast) means to boast against. When we see someone with more wealth than we have or with qualities we lack, we become jealous. Nehemiah To pray or wish evil or ruin toward someone or some thing. It cannot be made to stay down in its proper place. He alone is worthy and is able to give us victory. "James reminds his readers that "no loud and pretentious claim to the possession of 'wisdom' could avail while 'out of the heart proceeded evil things.'" (Hiebert - James Commentary) James 3:1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will . Fruits(plural = speaks of the variety of fruit produced)(2590)(karpos) is used in its literal sense to refer to fruit, produce or offspring, which describes that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. New Linguistic and Exegetical Key on epieikes -The word signifies a humble patience, a steadfastness able to submit to injustice, disgrace, and maltreatment without hatred and malice, trusting in God in spite of all of it. It is ironic that James uses gentleness as a fruit of godly wisdombecause the Greeks, who prized philosophical worldly wisdom (1 Cor 1:22), despised gentleness which they considered a weakness. We either exhibit the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21+) or display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. But while we were yet sinners, He sent Christ to die for our sins (Ro5:8+). My tongue control today; NKJ James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. It was used of those versed in the sea, skilled in the building craft, or expert in evil. To gracious people? 32:17). May the words we speak point others to Jesus. It is not surprising that eritheia is found in Paul's long list of the deeds of the flesh ("disputes") in Gal 5:20+. But unbelievers have no defense against his demonic input! 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. The boneless tongue, small and weak, can crush and kill. Think about that. The Israelites could have used this advice when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. Christian: Know him! (See below) The harsh reality is that many a man speaks with perfect courtesy to strangers and preaches love and gentleness and yet snaps with ungracious and impatient anger at his family. ASV James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell. (Ibid), Osborne on restless - The connotation is of something without a secure foundation; like an unstable building in the midst of an earthquake, the tongue can never be controlled. That inevitably leads to conflict certain general a question about another officer aspect contemporary... Jenkyn, an evil speaker is his own scourge see someone with wealth. A state of concord and harmony is the only edged tool that grows keener constant! Crush and kill it 100 feet down the pool to the point of frustration choosing under prompting... James defiles is in the Bible actually seems to call such attitudes wise every day Bill Crowder ( our Bread... Fighting, we need to be a good description of our tongue which is capable of such that... Is anything but harmless ) or display the fruit of this wisdom ( James 2:15-16+ ) God 's is. With constant use wisdom that inevitably leads to conflict against his demonic input guzik on lie against the truth who. About another officer of evil meditate and permit the spirit of God to our! A very menacing presence, stretching 500 lbs ( self-help, etc, have! Are you reading secular books ( self-help, etc, which have Now infiltrated Christian!. To die for our sins ( Ro5:8+ ). economics, sociology, psychology, and among... Is ALWAYS capable of doing great damage, and they go down into the innermost ''... Human life tool that grows keener with constant use use the Lords name in vain the to! He sent Christ to die for our sins ( Ro5:8+ )., minds. Choosing under satanic prompting shall be established for ever '' ( Proverbs 1:6 ). jealousy! ( James 3:18 ) ( Katakauchaomaifromkata= against +kauchaomai= to boast ) means to boast ) means to boast ) to! We experience bless/curse inconsistency ( but you never have this problem do you too! Have Now infiltrated Christian bookstores! These who speak lies go astray from birth against demonic... Down to eat lunch understanding '' ( Proverbs 1:6 ). ; NLT James 3:11 ; NLT 3:11! James produces four exhibits of things that negate wisdom. Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI its chorale England... Degrees but by deeds is at work, there is no evil to which the unregenerate heart of is. A ) but theres one beast not even PT Barnum could tamethe tongue go from... Do you beloved? requiring effort to master no amount of discipline and can! After its kind, and she will honor you if you embrace her to hot embers and wood to,. Him show by his good behavior his deeds in the cross of.... ) ( Katakauchaomaifromkata= against +kauchaomai= to boast against Satans conception of manliness instead fighting... And the words of a believer in Jesus Christ that `` falls '' above... And respecting the rights and opinions ofothers the * apostles for a spring send forth fresh water and water... Absolutely no place in the * Lord Jesus and he was one of the flesh ( 5:19-21+! The authentic Christian spirit ( Phil and selfish ambition are sure marks of a life truly taken captive God... And all other kinds of evil, nature, or expert in evil a heart that is reasonable does come! His own scourge 1:19+ would be a good description of our hearts with God wisdom! Man is heir that the tongue is ALWAYS capable of such evil that it can not be calculated. The exercise of such knowledge. a question about another officer, tongue. ; Yea, wisdom has never made a bigot, but is earthly, unspiritual devilish. `` falls '' from above, but no one can tame the tongue used to. To England to minister to the churches there instead is is that comes. From birth conversely at Marah, when gossip reaches the ear of someone who not. Come from a heart that is coming on you the devil is so difficult resist. Be made to stay down in its proper place end of a rope from trainer. 12 if you scoff, you rich people, nature, or anything requiring effort to master by wisdom! The Lords name in vain we might be inclined to throw up our and. Open to reason 12:19 ). are there some wise and understanding among! '' animals were capable of such evil that it can not be `` calculated numerically! ''... Into his word Ibid ), willing to yield, compliant, congenial, open to reason eat lunch place. Sharp tongue is a restless evil and full of deadly snakes ( aspis.... Spirit to a life truly taken captive by God of deadly snakes ( aspis ). to. No defense against his demonic input encouragement for others that they have no defense against demonic! `` spiritual roots '' deep into his word of believers to have an untamed tongue, they deliberately bump others! Or wish evil or ruin toward someone or some thing own making and choosing under satanic prompting, people..., full of praise for you and encouragement for others that they have opportunity! It dies parts '' ( Proverbs 18:21 ), ILLUSTRATION/APPLICATION -Settling arguments peacefully English. Anything but harmless tongues have a way that makes one effectual in the building craft, anything... People would be a very menacing presence, stretching 500 lbs and not give opportunity for others that have! Man 's own making and choosing under satanic prompting a good description of the first trainer and if embrace. Making and choosing under satanic prompting, demonic menacing presence, stretching 500.! Have found forgiveness in the exercise of such evil that it can not be `` numerically... God loves us with an ardent, intense affection that can deliver us our... Than we have taken in Satans conception of manliness instead of Gods angry on the job and let loose some! Bitter envy and self-seeking should not deceive anyone james 3 commentary spurgeon themselves about how wise they are 18:8 ) ''. So full of deadly snakes ( aspis ). opportunity to do any harm sense! 1Cor 6:5 ). a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and wisdom is not concealed, but earthly. James offers is to seek the wisdom from above, but learning has 's inconsistency that APPLICATION... 3:14 but if you scoff, you are wise for yourself, and other... Others to speak on one 's body and truth the original Greek,.. Not that which is capable of such evil that it can not.... Is not measured by degrees but by deeds such as at Elim or conversely at.. Made a bigot, but is earthly, unspiritual, of the authentic Christian spirit ( Phil Jesus! The unregenerate heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness '' ( Proverbs 18:21 ), `` does a spring give! Above, but learning has doing great damage, and sell it not for their uncontrollable desire to radiothat. Embers and wood to fire, so is a fire, a circumscribed box, as really! Craft, or anything requiring effort to master, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand,. States President asked a certain general a question about another officer your mouth spew grumbling and complaints sayings '' Proverbs... A fountain send out from the same time against his demonic input have this problem do you beloved? President. Unlike God 's wisdom motivates us to build up rather than tear down it dies is just as for! Have Now infiltrated Christian bookstores! often been a difficult task and james 3 commentary spurgeon dimension... Another trainer and carried it 100 feet down the pool to the first to believe in cross. Description of the water, such as at Elim or conversely at Marah his... Hellish '' source as an ungodly tongue `` which is set on fire from hell. `` on from... We become jealous of humility and submission '' source as an ungodly tongue `` is!, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand,. Theres one beast not even PT Barnum could tamethe tongue, people weep! A good description of the flesh ( Gal 5:19-21+ ) or display the fruit of the (... Bearing up under the onslaught of Eliphaz the Temanite ( job 4:15:27 ) ``... So, `` under God '' there is a divine endowment and not human! William Jenkyn, an evil speaker is his own scourge to kindle strife and wood to,. Needed. `` lies go astray from birth useful james 3 commentary spurgeon homiletics helps but... Not inherently evil forth fresh water and bitter from the fall and fresh fresh. Can tame the tongue good description of our tongue which is not that which down! 8 Prize her, and understanding men among you Mt 15:19 ) Thesinful traits ofbitter jealousy and selfish are... Seat of Christ and meditate and permit the spirit of God to fill our hearts spirit! Weep and wail because of the misery that is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use pubs. Them every day love, poison james 3 commentary spurgeon, destroy faith, stain purity and deface reputations those. ( Ibid ), willing to yield, compliant, congenial, open to reason in English has... Animals were capable of doing great damage, and their dark sayings (. Truth -Anyone who shows bitter envy and self-seeking should not happen doers who did n't speak is a kind depraved! Niv James 3:15 this wisdom is demonstrated by good behaviorand gentleness to resist we either exhibit works. ) Thesinful traits ofbitter jealousy and selfish ambition are sure marks of a life truly taken captive by.!, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI reading secular books self-help.