If we attempt to accomplish this relying on our own natural strength, we are guaranteed to experience futility and failure("Why doesn't my Christian life work the way it should?"). Perhaps, on the whole, natural, in its well understood opposition to spiritual, is the best word. John Calvin, This is our wisdom, to be learners to the end. The tongue is the totality or sum total of iniquity, which John defines clearly as "sin" writing that "All unrighteousness (adikia) is sin. When we experience bless/curse inconsistency (but you never have this problem do you beloved?) NIV James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. Have (echo) is in the present tenseindicating they were doing so as their habitual practice (even believerswrestle with these sins from time to time but not all the time). "The crown of the wise is their riches" (Proverbs 14:24). People enjoy teaching monkeys to act in commercials or training deer to eat out of their hands. (LAC), NOTE -The typical weekday Amidah actually consists of nineteen blessings, though it originally had eighteen (hence the alternative nameShemoneh Esreh, meaning "Eighteen"). Only God can turn bitter water sweet. Give us the gracious speech of love, CSB James 3:17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. , , . How many times has some malicious person injected a bit of poison into the conversation, hoping it would spread and finally get to the person he or she wanted to hurt? James 3:18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Then we can be sure that what we say will be consistent and will bless others. 12:34). It is often wise to be quiet and speak few words. NET James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? There is a kind of clever and arrogant wisdom which separates people from one another, and which makes them look with superior contempt on others. 8:16. It was important that the water from it continued to be fresh and usable. A Malaysian court has ruled that using derogatory and vulgar language about your superiors at work is acceptable, as long as you do it behind their backs. People with bitter envying may be intelligent, talented, and educated, but they resent anyone who appears to threaten their territories or careers (Journey into Faith That Works: A Study of James), John Phillips on bitter jealousy -To have "bitter envying" in one's heart toward a wiser, more gifted, and more successful brother is the very opposite of wisdom. It also means "being like," "correspondence"He who curses man turns against God Himself, who created man after His own similitude." The first produces jealousy, faction, confusion. He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. And help us to control our tongues Of the person who is in the habit of speaking with insults, ridicule or sarcasm, James demands, 'Change your speech habits.' Beware! (Author Unknown), LIFE APPLICATION - EXCUSES FOR SPEAKING YOUR MIND. Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy (James 3:17). In Hebrews 11:38 faithful saints of the past are said to have sought refuge from a hateful world in caves (op) of the earth, which were really just holes in the ground. In James 3:11 op refers to a smaller opening or hole from which a fountain or spring sends forth water. 2:18; Jas. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. So, there is no room in their hearts to love others, nor for the gentleness of true wisdom. My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea, and often as innocent. Hagnos implies sincere, moral and spiritual integrity. After he has spoken of wisdom which comes from God, he wants to impress us with the fact that there are things that we can learn from others and put into practice. Wuest Out of the same mouth there proceeds eulogies and cursings. All the conflicts, crimes, battles, and wars of the world are evidence of the devastation caused by human wisdom. Barnhouse from his book Let Me Illustrate - At the trainer's signal a 16-foot whale, weighing 34,000 lbs., leaped straight out of the water until his tale was a foot above the surface; he opened his mouth to receive the handful of fish and fell back into the pool with a splash. Francis Burkitt, The vice of the tongue spreads and prevails over every part of life. In classic Greekeupeithes was used of submission to military discipline and for observance of legal and moral standards in ordinary life; i.e., one who willingly submits to a fatherly will. World(2889)(kosmos) has several meanings, but the one which is most apropos for James 3:6 is that by BDAG which defines kosmos as "the sum total of everything here and now." SPEAK AND DO - In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. He asked, Are these the best singers in your school? To leave the crowd impressed, The evidence of the true wisdom in control (James 3:1718) As powerful as the tongue can be to produce harm, we must also realize that the opposite is true. Hugh of St Victor, A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. Our spiritual maturity is reflected by a controlled tongue. And Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said, 'Before a rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.' Yes, better than he knows himself. It is cloaked in Church talk, but it is dangerous and its origin is Hell. James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Author: Vernon C. Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Amplified But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. Reprinted by permission. She came in one day and was talking to him when suddenly they heard the vilest language imaginable. To keep from looking down on others, look up to the cross. 2:10; Phil. Psuchikos pertains to life in the natural world asgoverned by sensual (fleshly)appetites and lived apart from the Spirit of God. They cited our differing abilities, appearances, and environments. Paul R VanGorder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. The word suggests the vice of a leader who creates a party for his own pride: it is partly ambition, partly rivalry. (James 2:15-16+) God's wisdom motivates us to build up rather than tear down. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser" (Proverbs 9:9). May my lips be so full of praise for You and encouragement for others that they have no opportunity to do any harm. 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. Many of us are skilled at sounding religious, but we dont put our words into action. Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. (Php 4:8+). Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Brian Bell -Open your mouth & say ahhh! - a doctor often looks behind the tongue. These things ought not so to be; and, if such considerations were always at hand, surely they would not be. Does the fig tree bear olives? "A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 12:14). 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. By:David H. Roper(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. The thing that impressed him most was the magnificent and spotless show windows. A wise owl indeed, because he learned to listen. How, then, can I best honor God and help others? (Pix - Warning - Don't look if you are frightened by snakes!) Eternity is long! (I was a teller for several years, and I know that this is one of the most discouraging things that can happen.) So well not bring on You disgrace. In 3:17, James tells us that the source of this wisdom is "from above." This in line with Proverbs 2:6, which declares, "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." As we will see (3:15), there is a so-called worldly "wisdom," but invariably it is at odds with God's wisdom (see 1 Cor. Sophosdescribes the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior (1Co 6:5). We expect the fountain to flow with sweet water at all times, and we expect the fig tree to bear figs and the olive tree to bear olives. Hiebert on pure -In its very nature it is "pure," clean and undefiled, free from all vices, such as jealousy and party factions. We who belong to Jesus Christ and claim to be His followers should be known as peacemakers (Mt. Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! If the flesh is reigning, then out comes bitter water. We may even hear the preacher talk about not slandering others, but before we leave we will say things concerning others that amount to slander. ; Eccl. I have been in his family, and have observed him both at home and abroad; and I know what I say of him is the truth. He tells us to be kind and compassionate instead of fault-finding and vindictive (Ephesians 4:31-32). Richards, Warren Wiersbe -MIXED MESSAGES Amplified But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. Newspapers reported that the boy genius did not want to think. Some say Sidiss retreat from public attention was intentionalhe wanted to live a normal life. And the fruit of this supernaturally enabledgood behavioris gentleness one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23+), which further supports the premise that theonly way to daily obey the command to "let him show"is by daily dependence on the Spirit. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that much of our conversation is nothing more than empty talk. They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position; They delight in falsehood; Because man retains likeness to God, human life is sacred. Do not be arrogantlie- James issues two commandsbothpresent imperative with a negative, which means stop an action already in progress or do not let it begin. But one man in our church did not set a good Christian example, and he caused me great confusion. He alone is worthy and is able to give us victory. ", Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. Conversely you may hold fast to purity but do so in a contentious manner and neither is this godly wisdom because it is not peaceable. Song of Solomon 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. All of our conduct and conversation stems from either the one nature or the other. The point is that wisdom that is peaceable does not cause friction and disharmony likebitter jealousy and selfish ambition will almost invariably do, resulting in disorder and every evil thing. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition.Therefore we Christians, who have accepted Christ as our Savior and who have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, are the only ones who can say that we are wisenot of ourselves, but because of the presence of God within us. Lenski comments, "Nothing stronger was ever said about the tongue.". This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Ps.141:3,4 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. NJB James 3:13 Anyone who is wise or understanding among you should from a good life give evidence of deeds done in the gentleness of wisdom. ESV Study Bible on selfish ambition -Selfish ambition is a divisive willingness to split the group in order to achieve personal power and prestige (it is translated rivalry in Gal. It can criticize and complain. It is comprehensive in scope, reliable in scholarship, and easy to use. In eschatology, peace is prophesied to be an essential characteristic of the Messianic kingdom (Acts 10:36). Is your speech profitable to others? Nothing else has destroyed marriages, ruined friendships, and launched wars like the tongue. The tongue is like the bit in the mouth of a horse. MacArthur makes the pithy pronouncement that in light of the fact that animals have been tamed, "they are less primitive and more civilized and controllable than the unregenerate, unsanctified tongues of their masters. "In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man" (Proverbs 12:13). Do you frequently and spontaneously offer prayers for others? 6:13; Zech. On the healthy tree every branch is laden with the fruits of mercy. 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. NLT James 3:12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Words come from the physical brain which is why a stroke makes a person aphasic (unable to speak). KJV James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. Remove its subtle lie; Nor can salt water produce fresh. "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise" (Proverbs 21:20). Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. Today, researchers continue to try to replicate that ancient formula, but without success. 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. Wisdom, wrote Charles Spurgeon, is a beauty of life that can only be produced by Gods workmanship in us.. The idea is to imprecate (= to invoke) evil on someone saying that a supernatural power will cause harm to someone or something. Others cant help but notice when we honor God with what we sayor dont say. It follows that only believers can truly tame their tongue. Kistemaker has an interesting introduction to James 3:9-12 -After such a lengthy exposition about the nature of the tongue, we can expect members of the church to object. A Christian high school had taken its chorale to England to minister to the churches there. In the preceding section James spoke of the importance of controlling one's tongue and now in James 3:13-18 speaks of the importance of controlling one's mind so to speak. As we listen to His training, learn from our mistakes, and depend on His power, well grow and change. 37 For by your words you will be justified (YOUR SPEECH WILL SPEAK OF WHO YOU REALLY ARE - LOST OR BORN AGAIN! THE WHOLE MACHINERY OF SALVATION. In short godly wisdom is sincere, so that what you see is what you get! (Ibid). (Php 1:17+)". Belonging to human existence is the idea in James 3:15. A dark piece of velvet best reveals the glory of the diamond. 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. Oswald Chambers -If a cup is filled only with good water, it cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, no matter how badly it is jarred. Natural(worldly-minded, lower nature, animal, sensual) (5591)(psuchikosfrompsuche= soul) is literally "soulish" and pertains to thenaturalman versus thespiritualnature of man. Meekness of wisdom is accepting Wisdom's dealings with us without a murmur and without a sigh. "A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it" (Proverbs 29:11). Some troubles come from wanting to have our own way; others come from being allowed to have it. Comment - Jesus' point is that both our yes and our no should be an honest reply. Words spoken rashly do more harm than good. A strong emphasis in Spurgeon's preaching was God's grace and sovereignty over man's helpless state. When our words are right, they can be a powerful force for good. 2:14; Jas. I remember that when he was a counselor at our youth camp he sometimes made off-color remarks. Whatever he might claim, he cannot be saved. As an Eastern proverb has it, "A gold vessel does not sound; a brass one does." "SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE GARDENER.". Malachi 3:1. The Lord patiently continues to work with us about the way we speak of other people. I want to be a blessing to others, to lift them up that they might see Your goodness. Churches ought to be concerned about building their congregations. James 1:5. My brothers, this should not be. (Ibid), Hiebert on peaceable -"Then peace-loving" names the first of the external qualities flowing from the inner purity of this wisdom. All rights reserved), Lord, set a guard upon my lips, Nothing less wide of range than this is involved in the word pure here. This wisdom is characterized asa "good thing given and (a) perfect gift (that) is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." "A word fitly spoken Is like apples of gold in network of silver" (Proverbs 25:11). "Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross" (Proverbs 26:23). Truth(225)(aletheia)has the literal sense of that which contains nothing hidden. Wearein a war over words. Swindoll adds that "Its as though we have a capsule of cyanide behind our teeth, ready to break open and spread words of death wherever we go." In company, guard your tonguein solitude, your thoughts. "Selfishness" seems to be the best translation or "self-interest," which terms bring out the personal motive of the heart. All rights reserved), A wise old owl sat on an oak; Filled with messages for Thee; 14). Thats why the wise man said in Proverbs 13:3 that we must guard our mouth. In these three verses James briefly discusses the motivation (James 3:14), the characteristics (James 3:15), and the results (James 3:16) of false wisdom. All rights reserved), Lord, guard our tongues so what we say 12:36). Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster recently came under attack. -. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil. Remember, if God takes our words seriously, so should we. But Hiss for Hiss return'd with forked Tongue These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. NET James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Christ only, always, living in me. (James 1:19) By the person who boasts, 'I always speak my mind, no matter who gets hurt,' James is not impressed. Today, bless as many people as possible with your words. Perceptive people balance their words and actions.