James 3:1 - 12

September 20, 2021 (Monday)

 

Following James’s pattern, he begins chapter three with one issue that transitions into what might seem to be a startling twist. “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” [NIV] The natural question is why. Why shy away from being a teacher. The immediate answer is judgement will be stricter (harsher).

 

Next question, why will judgement be stricter… Answer, because of “diarrhea of the mouth.” Wait. What? James explains, “We all make mistakes often, but those who don’t make mistakes with their words have reached full maturity. Like a bridled horse, they can control themselves entirely.” [James 3:2 CEB] When we open our mouths to teach (or correct) someone we assume a place of authority. The reality is we ALL stumble (make mistakes) in the often/many category of regularity.

 

Those that can control their tongue have reached “full maturity” (or “perfect” [ESV, NLT, NIV, etc] status). The idea is that very small things control large things and outcomes. Bridals control horses (v 3) and rudders control ships (v 4). “Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire.” [James 3:5b CEB] The tongue effects our lives disproportionally to its size.

 

James continues, “And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” [James 3:6 NLT] At least this is the effect. Jesus explained, “… for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” [Luke 6:45c ESV] What we say corrupts, contaminates, and stains our lives. It changes the course of our lives. The image James uses equates the ramification of our words with the fires of hell. Yikes!

 

Piling on, James insists, “No one can tame the tongue, though. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” [James 3:8 CEB] I think what James is claiming is that reaching “full maturity” is an impossibility. We have a part of us that actively seeks evil with a desire to poison everything. All this comes from the overflow of what is in the heart.

 

The blunt reality is, “With it we both bless the Lord and Father and curse human beings made in God’s likeness.” [James 3:9 CEB] Can someone say politics without cursing someone else? The idea of cursing someone is not saying a bad word. It means to it invoke or wish harm or punishment. Sometimes we just blurt out our anger or recite worn out grievances.

 

James questions, “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.” [James 3:11- 12 ESV] The fruit (excess energy of the tree) defines the tree. The contamination of the salt defines the type of water.

 

Let’s go back to those who claim to be in Christ (faith) but there is no evidence (work) of being born again. A very quick give-away will be when they open their mouths… their tune, their timing, and their tone. What are you saying? When are you saying it? How are you saying it? Don’t believe me?

 

“If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning, it will be taken as a curse.” [Proverbs 27:14 NIV] Blesses, cheerfully greets, wakes up... LOL