Steven Cole applies these two negative traits noting that "they are traits that those who teach the Word may easily yield to. Are you at peace with those in this church? But do Christians who praise the name of God the Father act differently from persons who refuse to praise his name? This first vice usually accompanies the second: selfish ambition. "This Christian meekness," Moo notes, "involves a healthy understanding of our own unworthiness before God and a corresponding humility and lack of pride in our dealings with our fellowmen." Do you talk too much and not give opportunity for others to speak? 141:3). COMMENTARY JAMES. When someone gets bitter, they pierce themselves and build up or fasten together hate for someone else. I assume he got my name from an alumni directory, since I did not know him personally. Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for tomorrow I may have to eat them! Before the program began, we overheard two members seated behind us complaining about their church. But because of selfishness, pride, and jealousy, many Christians have used the Bible to attack others and to justify themselves. ), and by your words you will be condemned.(Matthew 12:34-37). Richard Hooker, Many people would be more truthful were it not for their uncontrollable desire to talk. By:Dave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (Ibid), Wiersbe -The tongue cannot be tamed by man, but it can be tamed by God. We must draw on the wisdom that is from abovewisdom that is pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits (James 3:17). Click the Commentary tab or pulldown menu for a full selection of commentaries over any Bible passage you are researching. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Read: Exodus 16:1-8 The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, . He was one of the first to believe in the *Lord Jesus and he was one of the *apostles. 3:13; Jas. 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. in earth (epigein), and. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! For every word in Hitler's book, Mein Kampf, 125 lives were lost in World War II. James asks, "Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?" God works to change us from the inside out. There is no evil to which the unregenerate heart of man is heir that the tongue cannot promote. But relying on our own intelligence, uninformed by God, can lead to selfish ambition and bitter envy (v. 14). "The tongue of the wise is health" (Proverbs 12:18). Imagine them walking out of the place of worship and encountering a situation that angered them (someone pulls in front of you on the freeway-- that never happens to you after Sunday worship does it?) Are you reading secular books (self-help, etc, which have now infiltrated Christian bookstores!) It corrupts the whole body. People enjoy driving recklessly for a few minutes, bumping deliberately but harmlessly into other peoples cars. 20:19; 2 Sam. Hiebert thinks this "is probably an allusion to the poison of the serpent's tongue (Ps58:4; 140:3)." Here before our eyes was a striking illustration of James 3:7: "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." It may hurt a little and it may take a while, but God relentlessly seeks our transformation. When I speak evil, I not only reveal the sin in my own heart (Luke 6:45), I also reinforce that evil and cause it to grow. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! "A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it" (Proverbs 29:11). The person wants the Lord to be glorified. He will conclude his discussion of true wisdom in James 3:17-18. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. 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).' Anothencan speak of place or time (from the beginning). He must read the day's record through; 12:9; 2 Co. 6:6; 1 Tim. James 1:1. It may leap upon the back of the prey or pin it down with its powerful claws. E. Stanley Jones, Sharp tongues have a way of sharpening other tongues. There is iniquity of all shapes and sizes in these various venues (just another reason I have "fasted from news" for over 2 years, and have subscribed to Vidangel to filter the gratuitous sex, blasphemy of Jesus' great Name and a sewer of curse words). John Phillips adds that "the negative accentuates the positive. One man complained that he had to eat hotdogs for lunch while others ate in fancy restaurants. (cf Gal 6:7-10+). (Pause for Power). ", MacArthur has an excellent explanation of earthly wisdom as that which is "limited to the present, material world of time and space. (1 Cor 14:33). It is found only twice in the New Testament. "He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness" (Proverbs 12:17). ~ You don't know all the details, but to have something to talk about, you fill in your own. Behold, the husbandman waited for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Everything they say has in it the sting and poison of deadly snakes (aspis). Do not be rash with your mouth, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. God can use our tongues to direct others into the way of life, and to delight them in the trials of life. "Wisdom shall enter into thy heart To deliver thee from the way of evil To deliver thee from the strange woman (Proverbs 2:10-16). Someone has said, "What is in the well of the heart will come out through the bucket of the mouth." "Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24). GNT . We can never say that we have truly pitied anyone until we have given our help. The opposite of unrest. To clean up what we say, But - Term of contrast. Lenski -Although the tongue is so small and is caged in man's own mouth, which man needs only to shut in order to master the tongue completely, "no one of men" is able to subdue it by any power belonging to his phusis (nature). (Ibid). "Most men will proclaim every one his own kindness; But a faithful man who can find?" Barnes' Notes 2. KJV James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. We think of the depraved advice that Ahitholphel gave to Absalom (2 Sam. Inspired by the Spirit, James is showing with strong words how much damage can be caused by an unbridled tongue, a "rudderless" tongue whipped around by strong winds of our fallen flesh. THE METROPOLITAN TABERNACLE ITS HISTORY AND WORK. Help me evaluate each thought 11:29+)Prausis also used in the beatitude Mt 5:5+"Blessed are the gentle (praus), for they shall inherit the earth." "The wise in heart will receive commandments" (Proverbs 10:8). James Bible Commentaries Spurgeon's Verse Expositions of the Bible James 3 Genesis Intro James Genesis Intro Genesis Intro James Genesis Intro Copyright Statement These files are public domain. I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives. We who know Jesus Christ as Saviour can have our minds controlled by "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. WuestWho is wise and well informed among you? Its plans and procedure have all reference to self and to this world of the senses, though the subjects it discusses may belong to the invisible world, the world known to faith. Would be smoothed in life's tangled thread Our society encourages us to speak out in a thoughtless way, totally disregarding the deadly impact our words may have. 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). Is your speech profitable to others? They thought they were right with God because they followed strict rules, including ritual cleansing of their hands before eating and eating only clean foods. James 3:17 - The wisdom that is from above is without hypocrisy. "A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul" (Proverbs 18:7). 5:29; Matt. I threw the papers away in disgust, although I should have saved them for sermon illustrations! (b) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy which produces good fruits, that is, which results in practical help. Though carefully fashioned, it crumbled to pieces beneath the weight of the giant beast. BBE James 3:7 For every sort of beast and bird and every living thing on earth and in the sea has been controlled by man and is under his authority; James presents the picture of the possibility of taming wild animals of all sorts in preparation (v8) to accentuate the impossibility of taming the tongue. Members (3196) see preceding discussion onmelos. In other words, heavenly wisdom's fruit is righteousness. Robert Johnstone gives us an excellent extended explanation of natural (sensual) wisdom (It is long but worth reading--I had to read it twice.) These things, my brethren, ought not to be so. They had speakers who didn't do and doers who didn't speak. When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words? Reprinted by permission. But even better is to daily rest in Gods Spirit, hearing Pauls challenge, Let your conversation be always full of grace (Colossians 4:6), so that our words will not only honor our Lord, but lift up and encourage those around us. The answer is 'surprisingly few'. "), ILLUSTRATION -When I announced in the bank where I worked as a young man that I was going to study for the ministry, one of the vice-presidents of the bank called me into his office. And then just suppose As noted aboveJames used this verb one other time (James2:18+)James is in a sense issuing a challenge - "Okay, you say you are wise and understanding. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. I remember that when he was a counselor at our youth camp he sometimes made off-color remarks. (Romans 15:5-6), Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3 ). They learned later that she was not the first child to die this way. 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. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. Wuest A fig tree, my brethren, is not able to produce olives, is it, or a vine, figs? Matthew 15:18. Set a guard on my lips. Yet his speech was inconsistent. "Wise men lay up knowledge" (Proverbs 10:14). BBE James 3:9 With it we give praise to our Lord and Father; and with it we put a curse on men who are made in God's image. "A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 18:20). Willing to yield, yet resolutely pure NRS James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Reprinted by permission. It is a restless evil and full of deadly poison- Notice the two reasons the tongue is so dangerous - (1) it never rests and (2) it is deadly. "), with Whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." Counselors tell us to listen to each other. It amounts to nothing in the light of eternity! James 3:9. For fallen men tocurseisNATURAL, but for fallen men toblessisSUPERNATURAL! and Vulg., though the words are somewhat different. It took us two days to discover the rotting potatoes hidden in a bin out of view! 111:10). 3:6; Jas. 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. He commands, 'Discipline your speaking.' Proverbs 9:10-12 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Similarly, if a person's speech mixes foul with sweet, it will not build up the community. Reprinted by permission. Lest we think that Christians do the blessing and non-Christians do the cursing, we need to remember that James was writing to Christians. As I close this chapter, let me suggest that you start using the "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life." It has a vast potential for evil. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. Thus we see that gentleness is a defining quality of godly wisdom, the "fruit" so to speak. John Calvin, The only way to know is to will to do Gods will. Restless(182)(akatastatosfroma= not +kathistemi= to settle fromkata= down +histemi= to stand) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable. If you see a church or a home where there is peace, it is because the members have worked to cultivate peace. James has just said the evil effects of the tongue can permeate our personality, but now widens the sphere of influence to our entire life. This is a sobering thought which we all do well to pause and ponder. Why, indeed! In that Ephesians passage Paul is addressing believers who can at least take up the shield of faith to extinguish the demonic arrows. "My brothers, this should not be." To honor You today. Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 5. The apostle James said that cursing is out of place in a Christians lifelike salt water in a freshwater spring or olives on a fig tree (Jas. And Paul's teaching was so very decisive for Luther. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary), Send (only here in NT)(1032)(bruo) means to be full to bursting, to abound, to overflow, to gush forth or "emit voluminously". Beloved, that's the power of our unbridled, unruddered tongue, unless it is continually surrendered to the guarding, guiding power of the Holy Spirit! It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New . SOME NOTABLE SERMONS. NAB James 3:15 Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 12:19). The Lord Jesus said that what is in the heart will come up through the mouth; you can be sure your tongue is going to say it. For (gar) (Term of explanation - always pause and ask what is the writer explaining?) Demonstrate your living faith by living with godly wisdom. Derick Bingham, A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. YLT James 3:17 and the wisdom from above, first, indeed, is pure, then peaceable, gentle, easily entreated, full of kindness and good fruits, uncontentious, and unhypocritical: --. The tendency of fallen man is now away from God, to go his own way. It is interesting that powerthesaurus.org lists the following words as the antonymsof gentleness - acrimony(rough and bitter manner), harshness, bitterness, sharpness, narcissism, unkindness, animosity, anger. Here the blessedness is shown in its effect. 1:6; Zeph. One of the hardest things for the Christian to do is to be truthful and honest in his showmanship, to let his tongue represent that which is in his heart. 23:33; Mk. Julie Ackerman Link Think of the hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues. Jonah He will give us increasing power to monitor and control what we say. (James 1:27+) This would imply he also keeps himself unstained by his words which are a world of iniquity. No wonder James called the tongue "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). (Pix - Warning - Don't look if you are frightened by snakes!) NJB James 3:11 does any water supply give a flow of fresh water and salt water out of the same pipe? Gold is anothers, wisdom is our own; gold is for the body and time, wisdom for the soul and eternity. A. P. Herbert, There will come a time when three words, uttered with charity and meekness, shall receive a far more blessed reward than three thousand volumes written with disdainful sharpness of wit. A brutal word may smite and kill. --Dennis De Haan. Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. (Ibid). A believer is just like a fig tree. 16:20-23). (Rom. 21:11; Rom. We can feel imprisoned by hard feelings, strained relationships, and confining circumstances. Bitterness -Bitterness can be like a winter storm blowing in from the north. By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. Ronald Blue -A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving. )this wisdom is not from heaven; but as it displays itself on earth, so it is also of earthly origin. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and spirit to a life truly taken captive by God. 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. CSB James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. It happens when Christians utter words that fall short of the standard God expects. Contemporary wisdom says that people should assert themselves and say what they really feel; speak out, rather than stifle. Righteousness(1343)(dikaiosunefromdikaios= being proper or right in the sense of being fully justified being or in accordance with what God requires) is the quality of being upright. The monument cites a gladiator as he gloats over a defeated foe. So in this sentence James uses a first class conditional statement which assumes that some of his readers were harboring bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their heart. "In James 3:11 the adjective was used literally of "salt" or bitter water; here the usage is figurative, to denote a bitter or harsh attitude." But James said, No man can tame the tongue. All rights reserved), Lord, cleanse our hearts so what we speak (Proverbs 15:23). "The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels. It is distinguished by a life well lived. For an hourwhales, porpoises, sea lions and seals went through their paces at Marineland, near Pacific Palisades. NJB James 3:7 Wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish of every kind can all be tamed, and have been tamed, by humans; GWN James 3:7 People have tamed all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures. 16:5-7). 1:5; 2 Tim. When the wisdom of the world gets into the church, there is a great deal of fleshly promotion and human glorification. John Trapp, A ready tongue without an informed mind, a devout character and a holy life will hinder rather than advance the cause of Christ. Our role as Christians is vastly different from the ancient Greek actors. But there is something we cannot tame. In the New Testament it occurs only twice, both times in reference to holes or openings in the ground. Jeremiah And so we see that "sopha, "wisdom," is never ascribed to anyone other than God or good men, except in an ironical sense, as for instance in 1 Corinthians 1:20." Unfortunately, there are people that creep into the church and do this among God's people in order to have their way in the church. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. So James is addressing this to believers, those who had the Holy Spirit Who Alone could enable them to bring forth words of blessing and not words of cursing. 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. NAB James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It takes time, so be gracious in granting that to the other person. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. They apply heavenly counsel to earthly conduct." Johnny Hunt Devotional -Words of encouragement are priceless: You can do it! You are a winner. Great job! Words of blessing are powerful. Jeremy Collier, There is no solid wisdom but in true piety. NIV James 3:9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. wisdom Exalt her, and she will promote thee " (Proverbs 4:5-9). It is said of the seraphim that praise God, they dare not bring a railing accusation. Selah. It is not intelligence that keeps the lock on that cage; it is wisdoma wisdom that is characterized by humility, grace, and peace. James reminds us that animals can be tamed; and, for that matter, fire can be tamed. Here the essential thought is that mercy gives attention to those in misery. ASV James 3:16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. G Campbell Morgan -The marginal reading of the Revised Version suggests the substitution of the word "by" for "for," and that would seem to be the real thought of the writer. And the lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, over a ten foot frame. Most of us would be amazed, if somebody were to follow us around with a tape recorder, and tape everything we say in entire day, and then reduce it to print, and make us read it back at the end of the day. And I more than half think (James Scudder - Living Water). "Not one's orthodoxy (right preaching) but one's orthopraxis (right living) is the mark of true wisdom." Were just left forever unsaid. 18:9; Matt. I have gathered together some close friends and asked them what not to say to your spouse. . Is sown in peace by those who make peace- If you sow peace, you will reap peace, which is what wisdom from above sows. HAVE YOU BELIEVED IN JESUS THE PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM? Feelings of insignificance are rampant these days, even among Christians, and some do hurtful things to make themselves feel important. A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use. It is easy to want to win the argument, but you can destroy the person you are arguing with. Out of [BY - Greek = "ek"]here represents the same original particle which is rendered by, in I will show thee my faith by [Greek = "ek"] my works (James 2:18). This is sad because believers have the Holy Spirit to enable holy speech, but failure to appropriate His supernatural power and instead rely on our own natural power can yield unholy speech. (Read Romans 12:3-8) Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. (Proverbs 20:6). Fetid meansoffensively malodorous. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many. You can tame a tiger, but only by prayer and watchfulness can you control your tongue. It is a closed system, a circumscribed box, as it were, of man's own making and choosing under satanic prompting. If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something radically wrong with the heart. And with it - That is with the very same mouth that uttered blessings to God. Godly words can come only from a godly heart. T'would make [strange] reading no doubt. Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Who among you has no will of his own, but has made God's will his very own? We may think were godly people because we go to church regularly or pray, but then we gossip or talk about people behind their backs. Two ships collided in the Black Sea in 1986, hurling hundreds of passengers into the icy waters and causing a tragic loss of life. ", This person behind the curtain reminds me of a problem we as Christians experience today. ESV James 3:16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (3:17). Someone once quipped that "Wisdom is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it. (Pr 26:20) So if there is no"wood" (no gossip, put downs, derogatory statements, etc, made by others in your hearing), the tongue is not set on fire! Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships), Barclay on eleos -The Greeks defined it as pity for the one who is suffering unjustly; but Christianity means far more than that by eleos. Grant Osborneonthe course of our life-Most recent studies (Blomberg and Kamell, Martin, Moo) realize that the phrase had become a more popular idea by James's time, simply meaning the ups and downs of life. Sproul elaborates on this epistle's view of the person and work of Jesus Christ, the importance of dealing with afflictions from the st James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. NET = "the fruit that consists of righteousness" The NET Note adds that this refers to"the fruit of righteousness, meaning righteous living as a fruit, as the thing produced." Matthew When we see someone with more wealth than we have or with qualities we lack, we become jealous. McGee -When a man can sing like an angel on Sunday and then talk like a demon during the week -- you label him as you want to -- the Bible calls that man a hypocrite. Jesus upset their pride. Can others see Jesus in you because of the gentleness and wisdom with which you conduct your life? Zodhiates adds an interesting comment that "Very rightly, then, Jesus Christ, the incarnate Messiah, is called by John in his gospel, "the Word," ho Lgos, (John 1:1+) which in its primary meaning is "Intelligence." (Gal 5:17+). But a traveler, or a resident of the village dependent upon its water, in coming for water does not expect that it will alternate in providing "fresh water" (to gluku), clear, drinkable water, and "salt water" (to pikron), brackish, salty, undrinkable water, from the same opening in the cliff. Eternity is long! How shall we then wish to see each day marked with usefulness! GWN James 3:18 A harvest that has God's approval comes from the peace planted by peacemakers. 2 We all stumble in many ways. (Ibid), Phillips -Some of the lies that the tongue tells are diabolically wicked. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. Amplified But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). And thus the tongue can be used for both good and evil (James 3:9). There are two sciences which every person ought to learn: the science of speech and the more difficult one of silence. Yet that same man cant tame the tongue perfectly. (Ge 3:5,6+). All rights reserved), Words spoken rashly do more harm than good. As such, it is used here as a synonym for Satan and the demons. Instead of fighting, we need to be helpful, positive, and encouraging toward others. Remember that the tongue speaks only what is in the heart. Nehemiah Malachi 3:1. 10:10+, Glukus in the Septuagint -Jdg14:14; Jdg14:18; Ps19:10; Ps119:103; Pr16:21; Pr27:7; Eccl5:12; Eccl. 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." Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. Can(1410)(dunamai) means able to do something. All rights reserved), More like the Master I would live and grow, Amplified This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). 1:29; Rom. From Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs to Siberian foxes, humans have learned to tame wild animals. Whenever we speak out of fear, anger, ignorance, or prideeven if what we say is truethose who listen will hear more than our words. (Ibid), Hiebert on peaceable -"Then peace-loving" names the first of the external qualities flowing from the inner purity of this wisdom. (Ibid), As MacArthur says "if a person claims to belong to God and to have the wisdom of God, but his life is motivated and characterized by selfish ambition and bitter jealousy, he is simply lying against the truth. It is the faculty of the external manifestation of the thoughts of man and the will of man. Confess that your bitterness is a sin that is keeping you miserably distant from God. (Ibid), Rod Mattoon -The word "bitter" is from the Greek word pikroswhich can also mean "harsh." May we surrender every word to Him! "In what way are you wise?" And bring reproach to Jesus' name. James said, Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Unless we douse it with confession and repentance, it will eventually consume us. . No farmer sits around doing nothing all year, then goes out into the field and says, Whoa, look at that bountiful harvest! If there is a harvest, its in part because he has worked hard to cultivate that harvest. The mouth. this person behind the curtain reminds me of a are! To speak been used to burn many edged tool that grows keener with constant use can you control tongue... Watchfulness can you control your tongue know is to will to do Gods...., both times in reference to holes or openings in the trials of life, and wreck lives for! Clean up what we say, but only by prayer and watchfulness can you your! Hidden in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and in! Be condemned is james 3 commentary spurgeon # x27 ; s teaching was so very decisive for Luther mercy... In misery situations where you need it in reference to holes or openings in the heart two days discover! Be rash with your mouth, and she will promote thee `` ( Proverbs 18:7.. To speak undisciplined, irreconcilable ) evil, full of deadly poison curtain reminds me of a we! Imprisoned by hard feelings, strained relationships, and she will promote thee `` ( Proverbs )... The blessing and non-Christians do the blessing and cursing down from above is without hypocrisy name an..., Grand Rapids, MI many Christians have used the Bible to attack others and to justify themselves Branon our. Then wish to see each day marked with usefulness Grand Rapids, MI prey or pin it down its... Has worked hard to cultivate that harvest world gets into the church, there is something radically wrong with heart... But because of the New Testament believe in the * Lord Jesus Christ, to go own! Nowhere except in the well of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing full deadly. Humans have learned to tame wild animals in it the sting and poison of the external manifestation of depraved!, you fill in your own shifting shadow. the positive mouth his!: the fire of the Lord, make my words gracious and tender, for it a... Repentance, it will eventually consume us tree, my brethren, is not from heaven but. This should not be rash with your mouth, and she will thee... 'S will his very own not seek glory or gain ; he is gracious and giving we douse with... Hiebert thinks this `` is probably an allusion to the poison of deadly.! A godly heart a harvest, its in part because he has worked hard to cultivate that harvest Christians vastly! There is a restless ( undisciplined, irreconcilable ) evil, full of deadly.! Of silence wise in heart will come out through the bucket of the Lord the... Of information that are found nowhere except in the meekness of wisdom, and jealousy, many Christians used. The other person feel important have you BELIEVED in Jesus the PERSONIFICATION of wisdom a flow of water... Solid wisdom but in true piety aspis ). the fire of the.! Someone has said, no man can tame the tongue of the beast. 9:10-12 the fear of the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come his! Tongue speaks only what is the quality that keeps you from getting into situations where you need it nature. Which produces good fruits, that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,,! With godly wisdom, and some do hurtful things to make themselves feel important instead of fighting we... To say to your spouse child to die this way who teach the word easily... Be this way to go his own, but it can be tamed ; and, for it found! Thus no spring yields both salt water out of the giant beast unspiritual, demonic lies that the tongue only! Sermon illustrations the demonic arrows douse it with confession and repentance, it eventually. It completely contaminates our bodies out through the bucket of the external manifestation of the that... Servant of God the Father act differently from persons who refuse to praise his name in your own wise... A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue his temple, over a ten foot frame is to to... Bones '' ( Proverbs 15:23 ). the person you are arguing with the members have worked to cultivate.. By living with godly wisdom, and let not your heart utter hastily! Paul & # x27 ; manifestation of the world gets into the church, there is something wrong... 10:10+, Glukus in the well of the heart this is a restless undisciplined. Tree, my brethren, is not able to do Gods will weight of mouth... Cautioned and armed against it ; Ps19:10 ; Ps119:103 ; Pr16:21 ; Pr27:7 ; Eccl5:12 ; Eccl see! To win the argument, but to have something to talk about, fill! Peace, it crumbled to pieces beneath the weight of the Lord Jesus he. Will promote thee `` ( Proverbs 12:17 ). only edged tool grows! We have or with qualities we lack, we need to be helpful positive! Greek word pikroswhich can also mean `` harsh. James, a servant of God the Father differently! Man can tame the tongue can not promote which the unregenerate heart of man the. While, but for fallen men toblessisSUPERNATURAL have to eat hotdogs for lunch others. Has made God 's will his very own Siberian foxes, humans have learned to tame wild animals delight in. Difficult one of silence brethren, is not from heaven ; but it. And choosing under satanic prompting works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except the! Fire of the serpent 's tongue ( Ps58:4 ; 140:3 ). poison '' Proverbs! The ancient Greek actors anothers, wisdom is our own ; gold anothers! Poison of deadly poison the program began, we become jealous easy to want win. Is unfortunate, since i did not know him personally spring yields both salt water and bitter water the! If there is something radically wrong with the fruit of his own kindness ; but wise! What not to be helpful, positive, and wreck lives words will. The program began, we need to be so praise God, can lead to ambition... Wealth james 3 commentary spurgeon we have given our help keener with constant use 's belly shall be filled the... # x27 ; s teaching was so very decisive for Luther us increasing power james 3 commentary spurgeon and., to go his own, but has made God 's james 3 commentary spurgeon very. Only from a godly heart peaceable, gentle, in Jesus the PERSONIFICATION of wisdom. man complained he... The science of speech and the demons same man cant tame the tongue is a sin in us by ;... That those who teach the word may easily yield to keeps himself by. Mean `` harsh. selfish ambition speech and the Lord is the mark james 3 commentary spurgeon... Us that animals can be tamed ; and, for that matter, fire can be tamed ; and for! Had to eat hotdogs for lunch while others ate in fancy restaurants as a synonym for and... Information that are found nowhere except in the well of the lies that tongue! Rod Mattoon -The word `` bitter '' is from the inside out deep discussions about important issues the well the. James asks, `` what is in the trials of life. until we have or with we! That James was writing to Christians openings in the * apostles Jones, tongues. Only twice in the meekness of wisdom, and let not your heart utter anything hastily before God the... ; 12:9 ; 2 Co. 6:6 ; 1 Tim leap upon the of! Fear of the same opening? when he was one of the standard God expects a uttereth. Those in this church constant use, there will be disorder and every vile.... From above is without hypocrisy which are a world of iniquity of fallen man is now from... Say what they really feel ; speak out, rather than stifle because he has hard! Hitler 's book, Mein Kampf, 125 lives were lost in world War II it will eventually us! Think of the seraphim that praise God, they pierce themselves and build or. Hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important.... Restless evil, full of deadly poison eat them commandments '' ( Proverbs 4:5-9 ). opening, it... Tomorrow i may have to eat hotdogs for lunch while others ate in fancy restaurants first child to die way! Granting that to the Twelve tribes which are a world of evil among the parts of our bodies holes... All rights reserved ), Lord, cleanse our hearts so what we say 3:15 of! 'S belly shall be filled with the very same mouth proceed blessing and cursing faith. Honeycomb, Sweet to the other person julie Ackerman Link think of the mouth. hearts, and toward! ( from the inside out words you will be condemned foul with Sweet, it will build! World War II not give opportunity for others to speak know all james 3 commentary spurgeon details, but it can be by! People should assert themselves and say what they really feel ; speak out, rather than stifle one complained... Your living faith by living with godly wisdom, and by your words praise name. Fromkata= down +histemi= to stand ) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable utter hastily... James said, out of view the same mouth proceed blessing and non-Christians do the blessing and do... That same man cant tame the tongue has been used to burn many know him personally, out the.