James 3

James 3:1-18

Slow to Speak: Overcoming an Unbridled Tongue Through Meekness of Wisdom (Bridling our Tongues in the Mental Realm) – In James 3:1-18 James continues to allude to the assembly of Jewish believers in the Temple and local synagogues as they listened to the reading and interpretation of the Scriptures by a rabbi or teacher. These Jewish believers would be tempted to exalt themselves above others, seeking to be the teacher, or rabbi, which served as the head of local Jewish congregations (James 3:1-12). James now warns his readers to avoid the temptation to exalt himself above others as a teacher and exercise an unruly tongue. Outline – Here is a proposed outline:

1. The Power of the Tongue — James 3:1-122. The Path of Life and Death — James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18

The Path of Life and Death – James 3:13-18 describes the paths of life and death. True wisdom from God is expressed by walking in meekness, which characterizes a man who has tamed his tongue, while earthly wisdom is shown through envy and strife, which characterizes a man who has an unbridled tongue (James 3:13-18). James 1:5 tells us to ask God for wisdom. The author now tells his readers in James 3:13 to look for examples of true wisdom among their church members. If a person is walking in envy and strife, he is walking in earthly wisdom (James 3:14-16). If a person’s walk is characterized by “pureness, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy,” (James 3:17-18) he is an example to be followed. James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. James 3:13 — “let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom” – Comments - Jack MacGorman describes “meekness of wisdom as “tamed strength.” He illustrates this with a work horse, who is powerful when working, but tame when resting.[114] [114] Jack MacGorman, “Class Lecture,” GREEK 432 – New Testament Greek II, Spring 1982 (Fort Worth, Texas: Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary), comments on James 3:13.Scripture References - Note similar verses that illustrate this phrase: Proverbs 16:32, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” Ecclesiastes 9:13-18. James 3:13 — Comments - Joyce Meyer says, “The very first attribute of true wisdom is humility, so it means no person is walking in true wisdom unless they’re leaning on God. No matter how smart somebody looks, they’re not walking in true wisdom unless they’re leaning on God.”[115] [115] Joyce Meyer, “Laboring in Vain,” tape number 509-4 (Fenton, Missouri: Joyce Meyer Ministries), audiocassette.The epistle of James begins by telling us that whoever lacks wisdom can ask of God who gives to all men liberally (James 1:5-6). This means, that if we are not wise men it is because we are not leaning on God for that wisdom. Note James 1:5-6, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.” This is because it takes a humble, or meek spirit, to receive and follow God’s Word when it contradicts what our flesh wants to do. This is why James says in James 1:21 to receive the engrafted Word of God with meekness. James 1:21, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” We are told in Proverbs 9:10 that it is the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Thus, none of us can walk in true wisdom without first humbling ourselves in the sight of the Lord and yield to His Word. Wisdom empowers a believer, but humility allows us to manage this power, so that we do not exalt ourselves above others who lack this divine attribute that helps us walk above the problems of this world. But we must not view meekness of wisdom as simply a passive person; for James will soon tell his readers to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you,” (James 4:7). Thus, it may be seen as a person on his knees before God, but it is also demonstrated as a person shouting at the Devil, casting him out of his life. Walking in our divine authority as God’s children by casting out devils and healing the sick is a display of this empowerment of divine wisdom. James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. James 3:15 — Comments - Earthly wisdom is human wisdom and philosophy, or carnal-mindedness. Sensual wisdom is the natural world as opposed to the supernatural world, unspiritual as opposed to spiritual, soulish and carnal. In contrast, divine wisdom was to be prayed for (James 1:5); it aids us in living a Godly life (James 3:13). James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” If we do not seek divine wisdom from God above, then we will seek the wisdom of this world. There are three sources of influence that man receives in this world if he does not seek divine wisdom from above. This verse calls them earthly, sensual and devilish sources. The earthly wisdom refers to the influences of those around us, including circumstances in which we find ourselves. Sensual wisdom is that which comes from our carnal mind, our thoughts and the lusts of the flesh. Devilish wisdom is the influence of Satan and his fallen demons in our hearts. Thus, the wisdom of this world can be identified by its physical, mental, and spiritual attributes, which is described as earthly, soulish, and devilish. James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. James 3:16 — Comments - Even in marriages, if strife is allowed in, this gives place to other problems such as hatred, bitterness and even divorce. This marriage is open to the work of Satan. Envy and strife come from a heart of pride. Note: Proverbs 13:10, “Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Envy and strife are works of the flesh: Galatians 5:15-21 Romans 8:6, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” 1 Corinthians 3:3, “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” Envy and strife can damage relationships with people that are difficult to be healed. Proverbs 18:19, “A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.” James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. James 3:17 — Comments - This verse defines the kind of wisdom that we are to ask our heavenly Father for (James 1:5). James 3:15-17 — Comments – Earthly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom - James 3:15-17 defines two kinds of wisdom: earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. James 3:18 — Comments – Here is the principle of sowing and reaping. Those who have the fruit of righteousness in their lives are those who sow in peace, those who practice peace rather than envy and strife (James 3:16, 1 Peter 3:11). You cannot sow righteous fruit in peace and sow discord at the same time. If the seed that you sow is to result in righteousness, it must be sown in peace (Matthew 5:9). 1 Peter 3:11, “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.” Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”