CHAPTER 3
Verses 1-12 – The Tongue: Its Use and Abuse
The first twelve verses deal with the tongue (also mentioned in 1:19, 26; 2:12; 4:11; and 5:12). Just as a doctor would examine a patient’s tongue to help him with his diagnosis, so is a person’s spiritual health tested by his conversation. Self- diagnosis begins with sins of speech. James would likely agree with the person who said: “Watch your tongue. It’s in a wet place where it’s easy to slip!”
Verse 1 – The subject is introduced by a warning against the hasty desire to be a teacher of the word of God. Although the tongue is not specifically mentioned, the underlying thought is that the one who uses his tongue in teaching the Scriptures assumes added responsibilities before God and people. The words, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers,” may be paraphrased: “Do not become unduly ambitious to be teachers.” This should not be interpreted as a warning against the use of our gifts if we are actually called by God to teach. It is a simple warning that this ministry should not be undertaken lightly. Those who teach the Word of God will receive harsher judgement if they fail to practice what they teach.
Verse 2 – James moves from the specific ministry of teaching to the general area of conversation. We are all prone to stumble in many areas but, if anyone can control his tongue so that he does not commit the sins of speech, that person is well disciplined. If we can exercise control over our speech, we should not have any difficulty in practicing self-control in other areas of life as well.
Verse 3 – Five figures of speech, or pictures of the tongue, are given here. First, it is compared to a bridle. A bridle goes over the horse’s head and holds the bit in the mouth. Connected to the bit are the reins. Although the bit itself is a small piece of metal, if a person can control that bit, he can control the behaviour of the horse. So the tongue can direct life – for good or evil.
Verse 4 – The second picture is that of a rudder. Compared with the ship, a rudder is very small. It weighs only a fraction of the weight of the ship. Yet when the rudder is turned, it controls the direction of the ship. We should not misjudge the power of the tongue by its size. Though it is a very small member of the body, and relatively hidden, it is a powerful muscle that can accomplish great things – good or evil.
Verses 5-6 – A third picture of the tongue is fire. A lighted match, carelessly thrown, may start a brush fire. This in turn may start a forest fire and leave a mass of ruins. James speaks of it as “a world of evil among the parts of the body.” The word “world” is used to express vastness. The tongue can “corrupt the whole person.” A person can corrupt his whole personality by using his tongue to slander, abuse, lie, blaspheme, and swear. A wicked tongue “is itself set on fire by hell.” All evil speech has its source in hell. It is hellish in its very character.
Verses 7-8 – The fourth figure to which the tongue is compared is a wild, untameable creature. All kinds of animals can be tamed. But man’s success with wild animals does not extend to the area of his own tongue. If were are honest, we would admit that this is true in our own lives. Human nature (because of the fall) does not have the ability or strength to govern this little member. Only God can bring it under control. James next characterizes the tongue as “a restless evil, full of deadly poison”… like a restless serpent with poisonous venom. A drop or two would be fatal. In the same way the tongue can poison minds and assassinate characters. We all know how easy it is to gossip about others. The price we pay for the undisciplined use or our tongue is enormous.
Verses 9-12 – It is inconsistent to use the tongue for both good and evil. It is completely unnatural; there is nothing like it in nature. One minute a person blesses God with his tongue, the next he curses those who are made in the image of God. All that we say should be subject to the threefold test: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? We should always ask God to set a guard before our lips (Psalm 141:3; 19:14). No spring gives fresh water and bitter at the same time. The tongue should not do so either. A fig tree cannot produce grapes, neither can a grapevine bear figs. How is it then, that the tongue can produce two kinds of fruit – good and evil?
Let’s put ourselves on trial as far as our speech is concerned. Before leaving this section, let’s ask ourselves the following questions. Do I teach others things that I have not obeyed myself? Do I criticize others behind their backs? Is my speech always clean, edifying, and kind? After a spirit-filled meeting, do I engage in empty or silly talks about sports, films, or just anything, forgetting all the blessings the Spirit of God gave me? In telling a story, do I exaggerate in order to impress others? Do I habitually tell the truth, even if it means loss of face, friends, or finances?
Verses 13-18 – Wisdom: The True and the False
James now discusses the difference between true and false wisdom. When he speaks about wisdom, he is not thinking of how much knowledge a man has but how he lives his daily life. It is not the possession of knowledge but the proper application of it that counts. We have here a portrait of the truly wise man. Basically, this man is the Lord Jesus Christ; He is wisdom incarnate (Matthew 11:19; 1 Corinthians 1:30). Also the wise person is one who reflects the life of Christ, one in whom the Fruit of the Spirit is evident (Galatians 5:22-23).
We also have a portrait of the worldly-wise man. He acts according to the principles of this world. His behaviour gives no evidence of divine life within.
Verse 13 – If a person is wise and understanding, he will demonstrate it by his good life and deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom. Let us not forget that Jesus, who was the embodiment of true wisdom, was not proud and arrogant; He was “gentle and humble in heart” (Matthew 11:29). Therefore, all who are truly wise will have the hallmark of genuine humility.
Verse 14 – The worldly-wise man is characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition in his heart. His only passion in life is to advance his own interests. He is jealous of any competitors and ruthless in dealing with them. He is proud of his wisdom that has brought success. But James says that this is not wisdom at all Such boasting is empty. It is a practical denial of the truth that the man who is truly wise is truly humble.
Verse 15 – Even in Christian service, it is possible to be bitterly jealous of other workers and to seek a prominent place. There is always a danger that worldly-wise men will be given places of leadership in the church. We must not allow worldly principles to guide us in spiritual affairs. Earthly means that this wisdom is not from heaven, but from this earth.
Unspiritual (sensual) means that it is not from the Fruit of the Holy Spirit, but of man’s lower nature.
Verse 16 – Wherever you find envy and selfishness, there you will also find confusion, discord and every kind of evil.
Verse 17 – The wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure. In thought, word, and deed, it is clean. In spirit and body, in doctrine and practice, in faith and in morals, it is pure. It is also peace-loving. This simply means that a wise man loves peace and will do all he can to maintain peace without sacrificing purity. The next characteristic is submissive (willing to yield). It means conciliatory, approachable, open to reason, ready to give in when truth requires it. Wisdom from above is “full of mercy and good fruits.” It is without partiality, that is, no favouritism. It is impartial in its treatment of others. Finally, true wisdom is without hypocrisy. It is sincere and genuine. It does not pretend to be other than it actually is.
Verse 18 – James closes the chapter with the words, “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” This verse is a link between what we have been discussing and what is to follow. We have just learned that true wisdom is peace-loving. In the next chapter we find conflict among God’s people.
Once again, James has put our faith on trial, this time with regard to the type of wisdom we demonstrate in our everyday life. We must ask ourselves: Do I respect the proud man of world more than the humble believer in Jesus? Do I serve the Lord without caring who gets the credit? Or do I sometimes use questionable means in order to get good results? Am I guilty of flattery in order to influence people? Do I harbour jealousy and resentment in my heart? Do I resort to sarcasm and unkind remarks? Am I pure in thought, in speech and in morals?