That is true, and it had already been said in the declaration that heavenly wisdom is first pure, then peaceable. Now carefully observe that he says much more than that peace is the fruit of righteousness. She suffocated when the drawstring of the hood on her jacket became caught in a playground slide. He commands, 'Discipline your speaking.' If you don't believe this watch some of the current news shows (which really are no longer truly news), the popular fare on television or the box office hits. Anon. Here James metaphoricallyequates the tongue directly with a fire. NAB James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace. GNT James 3:17 , , , , , , . The meaning is clearly illustrated by an inscription on a grave in Asia Minor. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (BKC). Galatians 5:21). We must get our "spiritual roots" deep into His Word. Thomas Manton, If you think twice before you talk once, you will speak twice the better for it. YLT James 3:10 out of the same mouth doth come forth blessing and cursing; it doth not need, my brethren, these things so to happen; NAB James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. (Ibid), George M Stulac concludes this section on the tongue writing that "To the person who speaks praise to God in the worship service and then abuses people verbally at home or at work, James commands, 'Purify your speech through the week.' "He that is wise winneth souls" (Proverbs 11:30). (a) Eupeiths can mean always ready to obey. Gen. 27:34 = bitter cryExod. 1:21+; Jas. What was Greek fire? All rights reserved). Song of Solomon Thomas Scott, Wisdom in ruling is justice; wisdom in speech is discretion; wisdom in conduct is prudence; wisdom in evaluation is discernment. This is hypocrisy. If he is a true believer, he will possess his Lord's own wisdom, and that wisdom will manifest itself in righteous, selfless, and peaceful living. Bitterness -Bitterness can be like a winter storm blowing in from the north. NJB James 3:15 this is not the wisdom that comes from above, but earthly, human and devilish. 1:25; Jas. to do so for oneself, Hom., Xen. On the healthy tree every branch is laden with the fruits of mercy. Jesus upset their pride. Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? In other words if you compromise the purity of wisdom in order to maintain the peace, this is not godly wisdom. This makes me think of the passage in Genesis 4 when Cain was downcast because God did not accept his offering Then the LORD said to Cain, Why are you angry? Nature reproduces after its own kind. It is derived from a Greek root word which means "to cut, prick, pierce, or fasten together." 27:30; Hab. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Pride prattles on and on. (1) SPEAKING IDLE WORD - not according to the truth. In First Corinthians Paul repeatedly denounces man's natural wisdom which is really not wisdom in spiritual and eternal matters. In Proverbs 6:27 we read, "Can a man take fire to his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" of maidens, to make subject to a husband, Il. A sanctified mouth is a wonderful instrument for the Lord. NLT James 3:12 Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Since the tongue is at the center of our life, it sets in motion a conflagration that will destroy "the entire course of your life." 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. Faithful: Well, my brother, I am bound to believe you; not only because you say you know him, but also because, like a Christian, you make your reports of men. By:Richard DeHaan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield. Bibliographical Information Spurgeon, Charle Haddon. When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. This tiny appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the horse and is used to give it direction. ", Adam Clarke on without hypocrisy -Without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. Warren Wiersbe -The problem, of course, is not the tongue; it is the heart. Its virtually impossible to seethe with anger without expressing our rage in words. William Jenkyn, If you can hold your tongue you can hold anything. "According to his Doom: He would have spoke, If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets" (Proverbs 20:19). 6:18; 2 Sam. James 3 New King James Version The Untamable Tongue 3 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 35:20; Ps. It happens when Christians utter words that fall short of the standard God expects. James 3:16. EXCUSES and DEFENDS SIN in justifying itself. Washington Irving, A fool is hardly discerned when silent; his picture is best taken when he is speaking. Through it we can accomplish great good. There were many teachers or rabbins among the Jews, each affecting to have THE truth, and to draw disciples after him. "Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross" (Proverbs 26:23). In a single day, working in lives that will PRODUCE DEEDS THAT MANIFEST A LIVING FAITH. Micah Amplified This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). (Bible Exposition Commentary). 15:23; Jdg. 1. Is there any among us who can stand up and say, "Yes, James, I am wise"? Reprinted by permission. For my part, I am of opinion, that he has, by his wicked life, caused many to stumble and fall; and will be, if God prevent not, the ruin of many more. GNT James 3:15 , , . 2 Timothy For instance, using I instead of me or who instead of whom. Theres a proper way to use the language, and it makes me cringe when the standard is violated. They say and do the right things at the right time for the right reasons. Or, you want to prove that you are right so that you look good, but you excuse your pride by telling yourself that you are contending for the faith. Spiros Zodhiates, The one who has wisdom in his head and heart does not need to shout at others. "With the well-advised is wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10). You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right. TECHNICAL NOTE - The Textus Receptus has the word akataschetos(from a = without + katecho = hold back or control) which means that which cannot be restrained, uncontrollable, untameable, unruly. It is a desire for personal glory. - R W De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. All rights reserved). (James 3 Commentary), Gen. 34:21; Gen. 37:4; Gen. 42:11; Gen. 42:19; Gen. 42:31; Gen. 42:33; Gen. 42:34; Num. All rights reserved), The tongue can spread suspicion, Help me, Lord, to use my words not to tear down others or build up my own reputation, but to seek the good of others first, and in so doing to serve You and Your kingdom. Be not many teachers Let no more of you take this upon you than God thrusts out; seeing it is so hard not to offend in speaking much. Thus say the common people that know him, A saint abroad, and a devil at home. Life Application Study Bible. We Christians will do very well to imitate this large-hearted general. Where the spirit does not rule, the soulthat is, as we have seen, the mental and emotional nature in so far as it is occupied with the world open to the sensestends to become ever more and more subject to the lowest element of our constitution, the appetites of the body. As I close this chapter, let me suggest that you start using the "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life." James 3:18. Instead of failing in business, as he had at one time feared, he became the richest merchant of his country. The characteristics of the water reflect the nature of the rock. Grant us grace by Your Spirit to live it out for the glory of the Lamb. Hess, Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles. SOME NOTABLE SERMONS. Jesus taught that "out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders." A wise person is tender and full of mercy and sympathy. Ruth Author: Vernon C. Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. George Santanaya, If our wisdom has been acquired without any of that eagerness and painful diligence with which the covetous man desires and seeks for his riches, it is a shrewd conjecture that it is not of the genuine sort. He was one of the first to believe in the *Lord Jesus and he was one of the *apostles. 12:36). 3:13; So James gives us a practical description of a person who is wise and understanding -- he demonstrates it by his good behavior and gentleness. To do right at the cost of ease, is to make peace. The meaning seems to be similar, and the same translation would be clearer here: Let him show by a good course of life his works. The works (ergon) here spoken of, and the good (beautiful, noble)(kalos) course of life, are the same, but looked at in different lights. Adam blamed both Eve and God for what he, himself, had done. Utley -Notice it is not the fruit of wisdom; wisdom without righteousness is not wisdom. 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." It thus denotes a party spirit, or factiousness.Thus it denotes a willingness "to use unworthy and divisive means" to promote one's own views or interest. Then we can be sure that what we say will be consistent and will bless others. When the Holy Spirit works in us, He gives us self-control to speak words that please the Father. It is easy to have "bitter envying and strife" in our hearts (James 3:14). Peace was used as a greeting or farewell corresponding to the Hebrew word shalom - "peace to you". II. The passage goes on to expound on this challenging question, for who among us would go so far as to label themselves as a genius like Sidis or wise according to James? (Ibid), Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy like our Heavenly Father - "Be (present imperative= only possible by relying on the Holy Spirit to obey) merciful, just as your Father is merciful." But there is something we cannot tame. Faith is demonstrated by works, and wisdom is demonstrated by good behaviorand gentleness. "Set a watch, 0 LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Ps. David lied to Ahimelech the priest and occasioned his murder by King Saul (1 Sam. But one thing is certainthe Spirit of Christ is not found in a spirit of envy and self-serving competition. Many of us are skilled at. "A poor man is better than a liar" (Proverbs 19:22). But we sometimes slip back into our old habit of letting both fresh and bitter words come from our lips in our conversations about others (James 3:8-12). 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