Frameworks:
James 3
For
preliminaries, see chapter 1
[Chapter
3 Synopsis: We're all imperfect but the way we use our
tongue reveals that and is a potential life-wrecker but this shouldn't
be the case in the believer. Our lives should be characterized
by wisdom from heaven that generates humility in us which in turn
reveals Christlike characteristics in us.]
v.1-12
Taming the Tongue
v.13-18
Two Kinds of Wisdom
v.1-12
Taming the Tongue
[Passage
Synopsis: Going back to use of the tongue [see 1:26]
it can have the potential of wrecking our lives but good and bad
words shouldn't come from a believer]
v.1
(teachers are
weighed by God more strictly) Not
many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because
you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
v.2
(we're all imperfect,
often stumbling, and need controlling) We
all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what
they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
v.3
(the bit I the
horse's mouth controls it) When
we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we
can turn the whole animal.
v.4
(the rudder
of a ship does the same thing) Or
take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven
by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever
the pilot wants to go.
v.5,6
(so our tongue,
if let loose, can cause havoc) Likewise,
the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of
the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of
one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
v.7,8
(we can tame
animals but often not our tongue) All
kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being
tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame
the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
v.9
(we praise God
and curse) With
the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse
human beings, who have been made in God's likeness.
v.10
(this shouldn't
be) Out
of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters,
this should not be.
v.11
(fresh and salt
water can't come out of the same spring) Can
both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?
v.12
(fruit comes
from different trees, so fresh water can't come from a salt spring)
My
brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine
bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
v.13-18
Two Kinds of Wisdom
[Passage
Synopsis: God's wisdom
is revealed in us in humility which abandons the characteristics
of ‘the old life' and replaces hem with Christlike characteristics]
v.13
(true wisdom
breeds humility which results in the good life) Who
is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their
good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
v.14
(so beware envy,
boasting etc.) But
if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts,
do not boast about it or deny the truth.
v.15,16
(such an outlook
does not come from heaven) Such
“wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual,
demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you
find disorder and every evil practice.
v.17,18
(the characteristics
of heavenly wisdom are clear) But
the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,
considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial
and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
(CONTINUE
to CHAPTER 4)