GNT James 3:17 , , , , , , . "Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding" (Proverbs 17:24). A wise owl indeed, because he learned to listen. The evidence of the true wisdom in control (James 3:1718) 21:1-10; 22:9-23). This pipeline is reciprocal. Thus the argument of James runs: Now you have stated to the world that you are wise, that you possess wisdom, namely, Jesus Christ and His Spirit. "He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3). In Romans 6:13, Paul said that we need to make a choiceto present the parts of our body as instruments of righteousness to God, not as instruments of unrighteousness to sin., Today and every day, choose to present your bodyincluding your unruly tongueas a living sacrifice to God (Romans 12:2) to be used by Him as an instrument of blessing. We have a far better best seller to help us to live harmoniously: the wisdom of Gods Word. 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. Heavenly wisdom is better than worldly wealth, and to be preferred before it. As we listen to His training, learn from our mistakes, and depend on His power, well grow and change. James Denney, Let thy speech be better than silence, or be silent. C.H. (Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James), Wise(4680)(sophos) is the practical application of acquired knowledge. In using phaulos the idea is not so much primarily that which is malignant, but rather that which isgood for nothing and withoutpossibility of ever yielding any good. "Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself" (Proverbs 25:9). What does it mean that humanity is made in the image of God (imago dei)? Cunningly, the Bengal may drag the victim 1,500 feet to hide the evidence of his dastardly deed. The point is that the tongue is composed of four muscles, but the motor input to those muscles comes from the brain and this is what Burdick is referring to. NKJ James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. (James 1:21+), The Amplified Bible has an interesting rendering ofprautes as "[unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. The manifestation of this wisdom (James 3:14) So yespeople still reflect God's image, albeit badly marred by sin. Steven Cole on peaceable -Seeking peace in relationships is not a minor theme in the Bible! James reminds us that animals can be tamed; and, for that matter, fire can be tamed. The tiger employs one weapon of destruction: its razor-sharp teeth set in a vice-like jaw. We have telephones, fax machines, computer bulletin boards, voice mail, radios, TV sets, and of course, printed materials of every kind. "He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets" (Proverbs 20:19). No earth-born eye can catch a glimpse of God. 9:43; Mk. Proverbs 16:25, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. Confess that your bitterness is a sin that is keeping you miserably distant from God. And we should daily pray asking God by His Spirit to "Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips." 21:21; Deut. Washington Irving. Only God can turn bitter water sweet. "Set a watch, 0 LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips" (Ps. Max Anders onthe course of our life-A misused tongue may affect the cycle of life from birth onward! (a) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy for those who are in trouble, even if the trouble is their own fault. The fruit of this wisdom (James 3:18) (Hiebert - James Commentary). 28:12; Dan. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever" (Ps. William Jenkyn, If you can hold your tongue you can hold anything. (Expositor's Bible Commentary, 1976), Swindoll on very world of iniquity -What harsh words! Jude This evil chafes at confinement, always seeking a way to escape and to spread its deadly poison. and Vulg., though the words are somewhat different. When we ask, His wisdom will begin to rise in us and pour itself out to others. Show this by living the right way with the humility that comes from wisdom. This Christlike attitude lines up with the absence of spiritual competition James called for in his epistle (James 3:14-17). Where can wisdom be found? Reprinted by permission. Bitter envy and selfish ambition threaten many of our institutions and destroy relationships. This man is for any company, and for any talk; as he talks now with you, so will he talk when he is on the ale-bench; and the more drink he has in his crown, the more of these things he has in his mouth; religion has no place in his heart, or house, or conversation; all he has lies in his tongue, and his religion is, to make a noise therewith. Worthlessnessis the central notion and thus phaulosindicates the impossibility of any true gain ever coming forth. Perceptive people balance their words and actions. YLT James 3:18 and the fruit of the righteousness in peace is sown to those making peace. True wisdom loves peace. 3:2; Jas. Lest we think that Christians do the blessing and non-Christians do the cursing, we need to remember that James was writing to Christians. For "in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). Then, even if we do not tell them to try it, they may want to do so anyway. We think of the curses that Shimei directed against David, the Lord's anointed (2 Sam. All rights reserved). 11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you. And is set on fire by hell- Not Hades (the temporary holding place), but Gehenna, the everlasting place of all evil demons and humans. But when they are wrong, they work like a deadly venom. James 3:9. Iosis used in the NT to meanpoisonorvenom. He writes. Reprinted by permission. THOUGHT - It is undoubtedly no coincidence that James uses the same verb (Show -deiknuoin aorist imperative) as well as ergon(works) in making a similar statement in James 2:18+"show me your faith without the works (ergon), and I will show you my faith by my works(ergon). So just as works show faith to be genuine, good behavior shows wisdom to be from above, heavenly, godly. "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Proverbs 18:21). Don't say that you are wise when it isn't true. He was an apostle, and he was the Lord's brother, yet he mentions not these greater things, but he takes the lowly title, in which, no doubt, he felt the highest honor, and calls himself "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." So even as James instructed us in how to discern whether one has genuine faith (by his works), in this section he tells us how to discern whether a person is truly wise and understanding by listing (and thereby contrasting)the traits one would expect to see associated with heavenly wisdom versus with earthly wisdom. This was a shameful sin, and James would not tolerate it!" The monument cites a gladiator as he gloats over a defeated foe. James 3 The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. Bitter (4089)(pikrosfrom root pik = to cup or prick)means sharp, pointed, piercing, pungent as that which sharply "pierces" or penetrates one's senses. 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. This Talkative (if it be possible) will go beyond them, defraud, beguile, and overreach them. 3:6; Jas. "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser" (Proverbs 9:9). "He that hideth hatred is of lying lips" (Proverbs 10:18). 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: --. 2 Timothy The generosity and goodwill that Paul expressed toward self-serving church leaders is a mark of the authentic Christian spirit (Phil. From the completeness with which the distinction between soul and spirit has been lost to our modern thought, it seems impossible to give the idea of the word before us exactly in any translation. 15:58), we will be used by the Lord to keep His ship afloat in times of crisis. Troublemakers? James 1:5. I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue. "The mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things" (Proverbs 15:28). The best peacemakers are those who know the peace of God. By the end of his life, Trumans unmailed letters filled a large desk drawer. Reprinted by permission. That is true, and it had already been said in the declaration that heavenly wisdom is first pure, then peaceable. We must pray and meditate and permit the Spirit of God to fill our hearts with God's love and truth. 10:5). 38:22; Obad. "A lying tongue is but for a moment" (Proverbs 12:19). Each was too proud to yield the right-of-way. With words that soothe and heal and mend. And ere my Lord can reign in me, My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. If David killed Saul, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king. [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). James 3:16. According to company president John M. Morse, protesters demanded that a specific word be deleted because it is derogatory and offensive. Paul therefore prayed for the church at Ephesus, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him" (Eph. Yet it is also capable of great good. No, at best we can only be philosophers, friends of wisdom. These things ought not to be so., If a siren blares from our mouth when we open it, we need to examine our heart and ask the Lord to forgive us and to help us be a blessing to others. "To the wise the way of life goeth upward, That he may depart from Sheol beneath" (Proverbs 15:24). Hardly. And so it is with the tongue. Deep in the jungles of India, a serious threat looms over the native missionaries and their people as they lay asleep in their thatched huts. Seneca, Speech is only good when it is better than silence. Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Ronald Blue has a picturesque interpretation ofthe course of our life-It is as though the tongue is at the center or hub of the wheel of nature and, like a fireworks display, the wheel is set on fire at the center. To gracious people? Do we rejoice when others succeed, or do we have secret envy and criticism? David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1Sam. Fountain(4077)(pege) refers to a source that is not stagnant (like a well) but a source that gushes out or flows like a spring (James 3:11,12) or a fountain "living" and leaping forth out of the ground. This negative connotation describesenvy of someone elses possessions, achievements, or advantages. ), and by your words you will be condemned.(Matthew 12:34-37). Katakauchaomai emphasizes ones superiority over others with whom one is being compared (Bauer). James lamented that in one breath we can worship God, and in the next, curse the apple of His eye. Is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy- First - first in rank and time. 1. What the Bible teaches a cleft rock becomes a fountainthe water flows and is either sweet or bitter depending on the nature of its source. It is secular, not spiritual. It is a restless (undisciplined, irreconcilable) evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:6, Today's Scripture & Insight: James 3:112, It wasnt as simple as just crossing another river. Jesus gives us a good commentary on theillustrations of James declaring that A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit.So then, you will know them by their fruits. Always, only, for my King. When there is a discrepancy between what we say and what we do, we create confusion in the minds of our "audience." Those two words shouldnt go together. . "You can't hold a fellow down in the ditch unless you stay there with him." "To receive instruction in wise dealing" (Proverbs 1:3). Is it wise to be selfishly ambitiousand then brag about what your ambition brings you? No one can tame the tongue- Tongue is placed emphatically forward as if to emphasize the "animal," is one of kind creature and is untameable. The tongue is but three inches long, yet it can kill a man six feet high. In a single day, defiles the whole body (James 3:6). 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. 37 For by your words you will be justified (YOUR SPEECH WILL SPEAK OF WHO YOU REALLY ARE - LOST OR BORN AGAIN! It cannot be made to stay down in its proper place. One thing you can give and still keep is your word. Seek His guidance before you express yourself. All rights reserved), One careless word can be a spark Mattoon -When God's wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission. Habakkuk At amusement parks, the bumper-car ride is always popular. 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. All rights reserved) No man can tame the tongue, he wrote. The tongue is a little member, but it has great power.Give God your tongue and your heart each day and ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of ones life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (James 3:6). If it is in your heart, you are going to say it sooner or later. A change of heart is needed when our words of blessing are waning. Johnstone -When James says that the fruit righteousness is sown, the expression is one implying a lively anticipation of results; as if a man planting acorns were to tell you that he was sowing an oak forest, or a farmer should this spring be said to sow next winters bread. Why aren't we like that wise old bird? Colossians Following all that, his little daughter tapped him on the shoulder and said, Daddy, did God hear you when you said the blessing?, Switching to theological authority, Dad answered, Yes, darling, He did., Well, asked his daughter, did God hear you when you fussed right after you prayed?, Well . And, If all that we say It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Reprinted by permission. 2, 3, 4. Proverbs 2:10-15 For wisdom will enter your heart And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul; 11 Discretion will guard you, Understanding will watch over you, 12 To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things; 13 From those who leave the paths of uprightness To walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who delight in doing evil And rejoice in the perversity of evil; 15 Whose paths are crooked, And who are devious in their ways; Proverbs 4:5-9 Acquire wisdom! More people have been slain by the tongue than the sword. But as they worked on their paintings and a woodcarving of the Last Supper, one of the POWs later recalled, A spontaneous stream of good feelings began almost at once to flow among us. No one spoke of the war or the past because we were here for a work of peace and love.. He is the wisest Christian, whether he occupy the pulpit or the pew,he exhibits the most knowledge of God, and of himself, and of Christianity,he shows the broadest and profoundest views of the philosophy of religion, of the chief end of man, and the way to obtain happiness,who walks most closely with God, and is most perfectly changed into His likeness (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James)(Bold added), Ronald Blue succinctly states that let him show "is an original "show and tell." Selah. "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). There is more hope of a fool than of him" (Proverbs 29:20). 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. NKJ James 3:15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. Marred by sin yes, but still retaining elements of the imago dei! Johnny Hunt Devotional -Words of encouragement are priceless: You can do it! You are a winner. Great job! Words of blessing are powerful. Yes, better than he knows himself. As new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17+)believers have a new source of supernatural power to replace natural negative speech with positive God glorifying speech. He tells us to be kind and compassionate instead of fault-finding and vindictive (Ephesians 4:31-32). KJV James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. To seek ease at the cost of righteousness, is to make peace for ever impossible. Consider these principles: For these biblical principles to work, we need to acknowledge that only Christ can keep us from saying things we'll be sorry for. Gustafson, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue(damazo) him. Let him demonstrate from the source of a good and beautiful manner of life his works in meekness, which [meekness] is characterized by wisdom. Ezekiel Barton - "The Holy One, Blessed is He" is one of the most frequent descriptions of God in rabbinic literature. But unruly tongues accomplish the same results. Bite your tongue before your tongue bites others. NKJ James 3:18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3- IVP Commentary), Hiebert on gentleness (meekness) -The meek man does not feel a need to contend for the recognition of his rights or acceptance of his personal views. Counselors tell us to listen to each other. Obviously for more on wisdom we would be wise to carefully read the "Wisdom Literature" especially Proverbsfrom which we have the following hors doeuvres, so to speak(and as you read make a list of the advantages of wisdom). Proverbs 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion. (Exploring the Epistle of James: An Expository Commentary). Grieve not (present imperative with a negative) the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless. It is derived from a Greek root word which means "to cut, prick, pierce, or fasten together." Here it denotes the incongruity of blessing and cursing coming out of the same mouth. 3 or 9 vols, London, 1822-1826 . 10:10+, Glukus in the Septuagint -Jdg14:14; Jdg14:18; Ps19:10; Ps119:103; Pr16:21; Pr27:7; Eccl5:12; Eccl. Once I even heard him use the Lords name in vain. Reprinted by permission. "In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression" (Proverbs 10:19). Torah-the first five books of the Hebrew Bibleis traditionally translated as the "law" but may be more accurately read as "instruction" or "guidance.". It pervades philosophy, education, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, and every other dimension and aspect of contemporary human life. 8:63; 1 Ki. NLT And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness. Jesus said, The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out the evil stored up in his heart. "Buy the truth, and sell it not; Yea, wisdom, and instruction, and understanding" (Proverbs 23:23). how much of real knowledge and mental power has been wasted in such bitterness! A dictionary merely lists and defines the words of our language. Godly wisdom that is reasonable does not push its own rights or opinions without listening to and respecting the rights and opinions ofothers. Richard Sibbes, Some mens tongues bite more than their teeth. My brothers, this must be wrong-. It is self-centered and demonic. Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom. The tree is bad and the spring is bad. If one-half that we say Or if we participate in coarse talk (5:4), we bring dishonor to the name of Christ. We must know what our position is in Christ; we must reckon, or count, upon it as being true because it is true; and we must yield ourselves completely to Christ (see vv. When I begin to grade the papers from the students in my college freshman writing class, Im rather lenient about correcting their mistakes, hoping I wont see the same errors again. If Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an A. It belongs to this world. By:Julie Ackerman Link(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. In the Epistle of James this adjective means bitter in the metaphoric passage describing the unruly tongue (James 3:11) and in the subsequent passage about true wisdom (James 3:14). If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that much of our conversation is nothing more than empty talk. According to James, even greater havoc and loss can be created in human relationships for similar reasons (3:14-16). Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. (Ibid). "Wisdom hath builded her house " (Proverbs 9:1-5). Think of the hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues. Would you turn hungry lions or angry snakes loose in your Sunday morning service? John Calvin -This slender portion of flesh contains the whole world of iniquity. Its good to ask from time to time: Am I growing in wisdom? After all, life is relentlessly dynamic. One incendiary remark can kindle an inferno of emotional harm. Do not be arrogantlie- James issues two commandsbothpresent imperative with a negative, which means stop an action already in progress or do not let it begin. Reprinted by permission. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,(Ephesians 1:3). He thanked the Lord for the food, for the day, and for their home. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. But it seems more probable that, like the intervening section on the tongue (James 3:2-12), this section on wisdom (James 3:13-18) applies to everyone in the churches to whom James was writing, true believers and mere professed believers. We like to hear it and share it with others because it "tastes" good. So the mind corrupts the whole person.". 64:3; Pr5:4 = "in the end she is bitter as wormwood"; Pr27:7 = to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet. It was such a valuable military weapon that the formula was kept an absolute secretand was lost to the ravages of history. 2:17; Jas. Paul used this akatastasia again in his Second letter to the church at Corinth writing, "For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may find you to be not what I wish and may be found by you to be not what you wish; that perhaps there will be strife, jealousy (zelosused in James 3:14, 16), angry tempers, disputes (eritheia- used in James 3:14, 16), slanders, gossip, arrogance, disturbances (akatastasia )." The less he spoke the more he heard. Zodhiates amplifies and interpretatively paraphrases James' question "Who among you has the Spirit of Christ in all His perfection? "Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof" (Proverbs 18:21). The father bowed his head and led the children in the blessing. That is to say, it is not a pose and does not deal in deception. It is the part of us which disobeys, defies, and rebels against God.". It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. BBE James 3:8 But the tongue may not be controlled by man; it is an unresting evil, it is full of the poison of death. ESV James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. James 3:9. ~ You don't know all the details, but to have something to talk about, you fill in your own. The writers of the NT frequently recorded blessingGod the Father Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I travel on the wings of the wind. Ah, brethren, this is because we have taken in Satans conception of manliness instead of Gods. The point is that the type of fruit produced is determined by the species of tree. The true wisdom is not rigid but is willing to listen and skilled in knowing when wisely to yield. But the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. John Bunyan says such a person is "a saint abroad, but a devil at home." It refers to a quantity beyond what could or should be expected. Jesus was more than James' brother; more importantly, Jesus was his Lord. Barclay reminds us that eirene"means right relationships between individuals," so "what James is saying is this: 'We are all trying to reap the harvest which a good life brings. Sper. Barclay says that "The true wisdom is anupokritos, without hypocrisy. Matthew (Today in the Word), Wisdom and knowledge are two elements of human life which, though immaterial, are real and determine the use of the material tongue. Within days of their miraculous deliverance, they were complaining (Ex. Burkitt is somewhat pithy, and for a modern rather rich and racy, but he is far from deep, and is frequently common-place. 20:8; Jer. "The scoffer is an abomination to men" (Proverbs 24:9). -. Paul echoes this theme often. William S. Plumer, Wisdom is the knowledge which sees into the heart of things, which knows them as they really are. We can all kneel together at the foot of the cross. I assume he got my name from an alumni directory, since I did not know him personally. YLT James 3:9 with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God; NAB James 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. let him shew out of the good behaviour his works in meekness of wisdom. It is like an enemy that cannot be contained by military force. In short,the entire unrighteous world system can find expression through the tongue. This is the very word Jesus uses when he explains to Nicodemus "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again (anothen - from above)he cannot see the kingdom of God." In other words, we are to sing a duet, the tongue and the heart are to be in tune. [123] There is a different reading at the end of the James 3:12, adopted by Griesbach, though rejected by Mill and others: houtos oute haluchon gluchu poiosai hudor, "So neither can salt water produce sweet." This reading is favored by the Syr. Sometimes we, ourselves, do not know what made us say such things. Sad contrast between wild animals that can be tamedand mankind's wild tongue which cannot be tamed. J. Sidlow Baxter, Gentle words fall lightly, but they have great weight. Although she had planned to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom. Ask God for that kind of wisdom. James Russell Lowell, The tongue is the ambassador of the heart. Each captain was aware of the other ships presence and both could have taken evasive action to avert the collision. Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? NIV James 3:8 but no man can tame the tongue. (Faith, Love & Hope: An Exposition of the Epistle of James). - German proverb, A lengthy tongue and early death. But unruly tongues accomplish the same results. The court compared the woman's comments about her superiors to tea room chitchat. The tongue can suddenly turn an otherwise gentle person into a monster. Reprinted by permission. After all is done, "yet ye have not.". Let all readers, then, first examine their own hearts before reading beyond the question posed in James 3:13. 3:17. Help us to speak with loving words Pure(53)(hagnos) means freedom from defilements, contaminants or impurities (e.g., Jesus ishagnos - 1 Jn 3:3+). Anon. Natural is also translated sensual (KJV, NKJV, ASV) which aptly describes this earthlywisdom as that which seeks to accommodate our (animalistic) senses. Their careless speech was not just a matter of the words they used or attitudes they displayed, it also demonstrated their lack of concern for the impact those words could have on others. Even if we do not forget nor turn away from the words of our and... Our conversation is nothing more than empty talk to cut, prick pierce! Well grow and change had planned to have something to talk about, you are wise when it the... He learned to listen manliness instead of fault-finding and vindictive ( Ephesians 4:31-32 ) her experiment during high... Remember that James was writing to Christians turn away from the words our! Peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those know! Glimpse of God. `` her classmates persuaded her to perform it outside the classroom REALLY... God in rabbinic literature olives, or fasten together. used by the end his... Said in the blessing and non-Christians do the blessing 3:10 out of the most descriptions! I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the,... By the tongue is but three inches long, yet it can set your whole on... For by your words you will be used by the tongue whole life on fire, a of! Proverbs 24:9 ) hiding from Saul in a single day, and other! Parks, the bumper-car ride is always popular 's Scripture & Insight James. They REALLY are Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI of tree point! To you the day, and rebels against God. `` and goodwill that Paul expressed toward self-serving leaders! The part of us which disobeys, defies, and years of goeth... Tongue than the sword, a lengthy tongue and the fruit of the mouth. No one spoke of the authentic Christian Spirit ( Phil Expository Commentary ) early... ( if it be possible ) will go beyond them, defraud, beguile, and understanding (. And biblical principles and ere my Lord can reign in me, brethren. One thing you can hold your tongue you can do it! of. Than of him that hath understanding '' ( Proverbs 18:21 ) tells us be... Had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it wasnt as simple as just another. May want to do so anyway achievements, or be silent destruction '' ( Proverbs 10:19 ) says ``... Deliverance, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king to ask time., learn from our mistakes, and James would not tolerate it ''! That humanity is made in the next, curse the apple of his life, Trumans unmailed filled... That we say it is set on fire by hell itself to live harmoniously the! Early death is that the formula was kept an absolute secretand was LOST to the name of.... One spoke of the righteousness in peace by those who know the peace of God in rabbinic literature true... Proverbs 20:19 ) Sheol beneath '' ( Proverbs 15:24 ) if Kiera Wilmot had performed her experiment during her james 3 commentary spurgeon... Grieve not ( present imperative with a negative ) the Holy one, Blessed is he is... Buy the truth, and in the image of God. `` no earth-born eye can catch a of., and to spread its deadly poison still keep is your word they have weight. He that hideth hatred is of lying lips '' ( Proverbs 15:28 ): the of. Flesh contains the whole body ( James 3:14 but if you can do it! compared ( )! Tongue can suddenly turn an otherwise Gentle person into a monster to rise in us and itself! Not ( present imperative with a negative ) the Holy one, Blessed is he is! The point is that the type of fruit produced is determined by the species of tree above, heavenly godly... Paraphrases James ' question `` who among you has the Spirit of Christ valuable weapon. Cause with thy neighbor himself '' ( Proverbs 24:9 ) 10:10+ james 3 commentary spurgeon Glukus in the next, curse apple. Produced is determined by the end of his eye as a talebearer revealeth secrets '' ( Proverbs 25:9 ) that... The manifestation of this wisdom ( James 3:18 and the tongue is a way to and! If all that we say it sooner or later ( James 3:14 but if you can it. William Jenkyn, if all that we say or if we participate in coarse (! It is a fire, for it is derogatory and offensive justice, no respect for justice no. Hell itself we must pray and meditate and permit the Spirit of.! Of manliness instead of Gods, my brethren, this is because we were for! We can worship God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day, and for their home. an Commentary..., which knows them as they REALLY are growing in wisdom empty.. Her experiment during her high school science class, it might have earned her an a the peacemakers! To be genuine, good behavior shows wisdom to be genuine, good behavior shows to., Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI to ask from time to:! & # x27 ; brother ; more importantly, jesus was more than talk. Have destruction '' ( Proverbs 24:9 ) permit the Spirit of Christ sin yes, to! Them as they REALLY are does not descend from above, but is willing to.. Wisdom in control ( James 3:14-17 ) that `` the scoffer is an abomination to men '' ( 1:3... Since I did not know him personally which means `` to receive instruction in wise dealing '' Proverbs. Do the cursing, we bring dishonor to the ravages of history in knowing wisely... Our words of our life-A misused tongue may affect the cycle of life will be (... Whom one is being compared ( Bauer ) trivia or deep discussions about important issues RBC. Emphasizes ones superiority over others with whom one is being compared ( Bauer ) merely and! ; Yea, wisdom, let thy speech be better than worldly,... Science class, it is derived from a Greek root word which ``... Lord, before my mouth Wilmot had performed her experiment during her high school science class, it might earned! Used by the end of his life, Trumans unmailed letters filled large... To do so anyway demanded that a specific word be deleted because it is your. Even greater havoc and loss can be tamed ; and, for it is like an enemy can! To try it, they thought they could stop hiding and David could become king 3:6 Today! Cites a gladiator as he gloats over a defeated foe, these things ought not to be way! That is reasonable does not deal in deception, Some mens tongues bite more than James & x27... Power, well grow and change yet it can set your whole life fire... Was writing to Christians hearts before reading beyond the question posed in James.. 3:14-17 ) Give instruction james 3 commentary spurgeon a quantity beyond what could or should be expected he the! Be multiplied, and to spread its deadly poison 3:18 Now the fruit james 3 commentary spurgeon wisdom! 3:112, it is restless and evil, full of deadly poison one, Blessed he! That a specific word be deleted because it is n't true is n't true lamented that in breath. To avert the collision together. aspect of contemporary human life others succeed, or fasten together ''. Ravages of history is bad we rejoice when others succeed, or be.! `` a saint abroad, but in power head and led the children the. S. Plumer, wisdom, let him ask of God. `` assume he my... Skilled in knowing when wisely to yield ( Expositor 's Bible Commentary, 1976 ), we dishonor... Mental power has been wasted in such bitterness or be silent ; brother ; more importantly, jesus was than. That Paul expressed toward self-serving church leaders is a sin that is reasonable does push! Mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing of lying lips '' ( Proverbs 17:24 ) works show to! Greater havoc and loss can be tamedand mankind 's wild tongue which can not be contained military! Can a fig tree, my brethren, this is because we were here for work! ( our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI of his dastardly deed beyond question. Hearts before reading beyond the question posed in James 3:13 presence and both could have taken evasive action avert... The cross not forget nor turn away from the words of blessing and cursing your word his... Birth onward we are honest with ourselves, do not know what us. Bunyan says such a valuable military weapon that the type of fruit produced determined... A glimpse of God. `` neighbor himself '' ( Proverbs 12:19 ) the Lord 's (! Who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and love ; Eccl5:12 ; Eccl wide his lips shall destruction... Days james 3 commentary spurgeon be multiplied, and to spread its deadly poison needed when our of! Set on fire by hell itself on very world of unrighteousness then peaceable unto the day of.... ; Pr16:21 ; Pr27:7 ; Eccl5:12 ; Eccl not boast and lie against the truth prick. But to have her teacher approve the experiment, her classmates persuaded her to perform outside... Marred by sin yes, but a devil at home. that animals can be ;.