James Chapter Three
Commentary by
Pastor
Timothy H. Burdick
Verse 1. “Let not many of you
become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a
stricter judgment.”
Verse 2. “For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in
what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as
well.”
Verse 3. “Now if we put the bits into the horses' mouths so that they
will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.”
Verse 4. “Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are
driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder
wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.”
Verse 5. “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it
boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a
small fire!”
Verse 6. “And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the
tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body,
and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”
Verse 7. “For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and
creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.”
Verse 8. “But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full
of deadly poison.”
Verse 9. “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse
men, who have been made in the likeness of God;”
Verse 10. “From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My
brethren, these things ought not to be this way.”
Verse 11. “Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and
bitter water?”
Verse 12. “Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine
produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”
Verse 13. “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his
good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”
Verse 14. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your
heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.”
Verse 15. “This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is
earthly, natural, demonic.”
Verse 16. “For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is
disorder and every evil thing.”
Verse 17. “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable,
gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without
hypocrisy.”
Verse 18. “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by
those who make peace.”
Commentary
Now we move on to James Chapter
3. In Verse One, James tells us that not many of us should presume to be
teachers, because the teacher will be judged more strictly. Have you
ever wanted to teach? James is not saying that there is anything wrong
with having this goal; what he is saying is that we are not to do this
impulsively. Too many people stand up in front of others and use this as
a way to promote their own ideas. I think too many get up in front of a
crowd not thinking of the responsibility involved. Paul says that we are
to STUDY to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing or accurately
handling the word of truth.
Further, James is saying that,
since teachers have been given this responsibility down here, God will
hold us more accountable. Teaching is one of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit mentioned by Paul in Ephesians 4:11. Jesus said it this way: “to
whom much is given, much shall be required” (Luke 12:48). If you want to
be a teacher, have you thought about the responsibility you will have
before God and others? If you feel that God is preparing you for this
role, get to know the book, the Bible, inside and out.
In Revelation 2:20-22, we see an
example of how NOT to teach, in the person called “Jezebel.”
James 3:2 goes on to tell us
that we all make mistakes in many kinds of ways, and if any one doesn't,
he is a perfect man. I don't know about you, but I am painfully aware
that I have many shortcomings. But linking this to Verse One, since a
person makes mistakes while teaching, he or she cannot ever be ruled by
pride. In a broader context, we all teach by word and example.
Therefore, we must pray that we remain in the center of Gods will.
In Verses 3-4, James gives us
two examples, as he is getting ready to talk about the tongue. Namely
the “bits” in the mouths of horses, and the “rudder” on a sail boat.
In Verses 5-6, James likens the
tongue to a “fire.” He says “consider how a great fire is started with a
small spark.” Think about the wildfires you see on television. Then
think of how most of them got started – from something small, like a
campfire. James is saying when not yielded to God, the tongue is just as
destructive as a wildfire. Stop and meditate on how small the tongue
really is. Ask yourself, how can I yield this small member of my body to
God?
In 3:6, the writer emphasizes
the point he has just made, by calling the tongue a “world of iniquity”
or “evil.” What does James mean when he says that this instrument is set
on fire by “hell” itself? The Bible speaks about believers abstaining
from worldly lusts. But Jesus says we are to be IN the world but not OF
it. What does this mean? and what does it have to do with our tongues?
The concept of the “world” in the Bible is about the evil that we all
have to face.
Jesus is simply saying that
while we live in the world, we don't have to take part in the evil it
contains. The tongue, since it is set on fire by hell, can be a way in
which we partake in the world’s evil. James 3 8 says that while we as
people can tame all kinds of animals, we can't tame the tongue.
Occasionally, I like to turn to
“Animal Planet.” I find it amazing how the animals can communicate. I
read in “Readers Digest,” how smart the common bee is. Man is taming the
various animals, but he can't tame his own tongue. Just think about the
power you have for good or evil, positive or negative. I heard a person
say, “you can magnify your problems or you can magnify God,” and our
tongues cause a lot of problems for all of us.
James is bringing everything he
has said to a climax, and he says here that we amazingly use our tongues
to both bless God and curse men. He goes on to say that this should not
be the case. So many people are turned off toward the organized church,
and to Christianity itself because of the tongue. Unbelievers hear us
praising God, and then they hear us cursing our brothers and sisters.
Their conclusion is – “If that is Christianity, I don't want anything to
do with it!” Therefore, if we worship God with our mouths, giving Him
lip service and then go out and say any old thing, I think James is
asking: “are we really worshiping God?”
James talks about cursing, but
the principal would also extend to gossip. On a prayer line, I had
something told about me without my permission. This, as far as I was
concerned, fell into the category of gossip and could have been
destructive. If I was not a believer, I may have just given up on Church
altogether. That kind of idle chatter along with actual cursing is what
the apostle James is talking about.
I have heard the phrase, “I
don't go to Church because I don't want to be a hypocrite!” The term
“hypocrite” came from the ancient Greek plays, and it meant “one who
pretends.” Do you take your faith seriously, or are you just pretending?
Solomon said, in Proverbs 10:19,
"In the multitude of words, there wants not transgression, but he who
restrains his lips does wisely.”
Lastly, in this section, James
asks, “Can a fig tree bear olives or a grape tree bear figs? You have to
remember that when James was writing this epistle (letter), he was
writing within an agricultural setting. The answer to his question would
be: “of course not!” We know just from going to the supermarket in our
day, that one kind of fruit is borne by just one kind of tree.
James is simply saying that if
we act and think in the way of this world, we can't bring forth the
qualities that God wants. You may say, I have to be in the world don't
I? Of course you do, God likely isn't asking you to become a monk! Jesus
said that we were to be in the world, but not of it. In other worlds we
all have to live in the world’s system, but the Bible uses words here to
mean the UN-Godly influences that we all have to deal with. In other
words, as I said above, God is saying not to play with “fire.”
Then saying the same thing by
using a different example, James says “neither can a salt spring bring
forth fresh water” (Verses 11-12).
In Verse 13, James says, “if he
has any understanding, let him show it by the way he lives.” Then he
adds; “humility comes from wisdom.” The humility to admit when we are
wrong before God and man is a wonderful thing. It is the humble person
that will really grow and bring forth the qualities we have been
discussing. I have met those, as have you, who are filled with pride.
Whether wrong or right, they always have to have the last word. In order
to have the humility that James is talking about, you need to have the
attitude of a learner. In other words, we need to develop a dependence
on God, continually asking Him for wisdom. Jesus said in Matthew 7:7,
"ASK and it shall be given unto you: seek and ye shall find: knock and
it shall be opened unto you." Continuing in the next verse, James tells
us that this kind of petition will not go unanswered. Proverbs speaks
about instruction in 8:10, "Receive my instruction, and not silver; and
knowledge rather then choice gold."
In 3:14, James tells us that if
we have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in our hearts, we must
glory not, so as to lie not against the truth.
In 3:17, James discusses Godly
“wisdom” by listing its characteristics. First he says it is “pure.”
Purity is something that the Bible talks a lot about. Jesus said,
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” We are to keep
ourselves pure in many different ways and places. Earthly wisdom is not
pure. It is mixed with all kinds of selfish desires. Secondly, this
wisdom is peaceful. Again Jesus said, “Blessed are the peace makers, for
they will be called children of God.” Earthly wisdom is often not
peaceful. People hurt and conceal things from one another, each trying
to get a better deal in life.
We are also told, as much as it
is possible, to live in peace with one another. To live in peace, we
must seek the Prince of Peace. Third and fourth, this wisdom is both
gentle and tolerant. Putting both of those together, we might say that
wisdom is flexible, yielded to the Spirit of God. We are told not to
quench the Spirit. In other words, we must be open to the leading of the
Holy Spirit. When talking about love, Paul said, “Love doesn't seek her
own way” (1 Corinthians 13:5). This kind of wisdom bears good fruits.
When he speaks about Godly wisdom, James is simply saying that God’s
wisdom in us is compassionate toward our neighbor, and full of positive
qualities. Last, he tells us that this wisdom is not changeable when it
comes to core beliefs, and it doesn't pretend, but is truthful.
James concludes in 3:18, that
peacemakers who sow in peace; raise a harvest of righteousness. Peace is
something we talk a lot about, but few people are really peacemakers. We
should be mediators of peace. A peacemaker is one who, through words and
deeds, introduces others to the Prince of Peace. I would like to quote
Jesus’ words again, when He says, "Blessed are the peace makers, for
they will be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9). A peace maker does loving
and kind deeds, and has uplifting thoughts.
By the way, what is this “peace”
that the Bible talks so much about? Is it the absence of conflict? In
order to have the absence of conflict on an international or national
level, someone has to be a strong leader. Right now, that leader is the
United States. As wonderful as it is not to have war in our countries,
the peace that the Bible speaks about is infinitely more wonderful
because it is peace with God. Peace between men is an outgrowth of true
peace with God. Godly peace among men doesn't have to be enforced with
guns and fences. Do you have peace with God? Just admit that you have
sinned by the standards of a holy God. The Bible says that all of our
righteousness is like “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Turn from the sin of
living by mere human righteousness and ask Christ to come into your
life. He wants to give you forgiveness, which brings with it - peace.
Proverbs 9:10 says “the fear of
the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Many say that “fear” means
“reverence.” After all, we should not be afraid of God. “God is love”
the Bible says (1 John 4:8), so we need not be afraid of Him. In order
to answer this, I would take you back to my boyhood. I loved my father,
I had respect for him, but if I got out of line I knew that I would
become afraid. But along with a healthy fear, there was love. I knew my
dad wanted the best for me. That is the way God is. He loves us and
wants us to listen, because He has the best in mind for us. Have you
experienced God’s love? Read Luke Chapter 15. God wants you to listen to
Him because, seeing the big picture, He knows what is best for you, and
you are the apple of His eye.
Timothy H. Burdick, Associate Pastor
Friday Study Ministries
PO Box 92131
Long Beach, CA
90809-2131 USA
www.fridaystudy.org
TSBurdick@msn.com
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