James 3

James 3:1

In chapter 2, James stressed that mere words are not the issue. The proof of one’s salvation is seen in works. Yet here in chapter 3, we’ll see him plunge into a discussion about the tongue. Why? I suggest the reason is that, although it is true that it is our works and not our words that validate and verify our salvation, this does not mean words are not important in our spiritual life… James begins his discussion by saying, “Don’t be eager to be a teacher because teachers can receive greater condemnation.” Because it is inevitable that sooner or later we offend people with the words we say, the more a person says, the greater his chances of offending someone. Jeremiah certainly found this to be true… When the people of Israel didn’t like what Jeremiah was saying, they threw him into a prisonat which time Jeremiah decided he would speak no more. But there’s a problem with those who are called to teach. As Jeremiah discovered, the Word of God burned in his heart, and he could not keep quiet (Jer_20:9). If, like Jeremiah, you are called to teach the Word, you will be unable to keep quiet, even though it might mean you’re tossed into a storm of controversy or a dungeon of condemnation. I wish I could say that all of the problems teachers encounter are due to the powerful messages we bring and the conviction they cause in the hearts of people. But that’s not the whole storynot by a long shot! You see, greater condemnation comes to teachers because in the multitude of words there lacketh not sin (Pro_10:19). We who are always speaking inevitably say things we wish we hadn’t said or in a way we wish we hadn’t said them. Thus, condemnation comes not only from other people, but from within our own hearts when we realize our inadequacy to communicate the Word properly. “Be careful,” says James. “Don’t be too eager to be a teacher, knowing that you’ll receive greater condemnation from within and without than if you sat quietly in a pew, taking it all in.” The longer I walk with the Lord, the more I see that the key to life is to learn to be content where God has placed you (Php_4:11). If you’re called to teach, that’s great! If you’re called to listen, that’s wonderful! In either place, contentment is the key. Whoever does not offend in word is a mature person whether he is a teacher or not, for he who controls his tongue controls his life.

James 3:3

Just as surely as an insignificant-looking rudder controls an entire ship, or a little piece of metal controls a powerful horse, so the tongue, weighing a mere twenty ounces, can either bring direction or destructionfor truly the power of life and death is in the tongue (Pro_18:21). What can we do to keep our tongues from being ignited by the fires of hell? In Acts 2 we read of another tongue of fire, one which led to worshiping and witnessing. Therefore, I suggest that the more time we spend praying in tongues, the less time we’ll spend preying on others with our tongues. Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.Pro_26:20 When you hear gossip, pray silently in the Spirit to keep your tongue busy lest you join in the hellish discussion. If I listen to gossip, to put-downs, I am actually an accomplice in that fire ignited by hell. But if I refuse to listen and pray instead, the water of the Spirit douses the fire of hell, and the conversation dies.

James 3:7

Here’s the problem: In our own energy, we cannot tame our tongues. We need the Lord.

James 3:9

“Cursing” implies any words that bring hurt to someone.

James 3:10

“We live in a pleasant area,” said the men of Jericho to the newly anointed prophet. “But our crops are dying because our water is poisoned.” So what did Elisha do? He poured salt into the water, and the water became sweet once again (2Ki_2:21). Salt was to be poured into polluted water? Yes, because Paul tells us our speech is always to be seasoned with salt, that is grace (Col_4:6). What does this mean? It means that in any given moment I can bring healing to an otherwise poisonous situation by speaking grace. If I keep talking about how gracious God has been to me, and how gracious He’ll be toward others, the polluted puddles of put-downs and pettiness will become pools of purity and praise. I want this in my life so badly I can taste it. Oh, I’m far from what I should bebut I see the wisdom of James, for I’ve known people who have refused to listen to gossip and who have, instead, learned to speak graciously. There is a beauty about their lives and refreshment from their lives I so desire. If you want to be the man or woman God uses, join me in praying that we will be those who add the salt of grace to everything we say.

James 3:13

Come to terms with the fact that if your words are bitter, it’s because your heart is bitter. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Mat_12:34). Bitter words come from a bitter heart.

James 3:15

I have this verse underlined because it is a grid through which I can run any conversation, teaching, or any word of instruction. If there is envy and strife, tension and confusion in what I hear, then I know it’s from hell. But if there is purity and peace, righteousness and mercy in what I hear, I embrace it as being from the Lord. May God give us wisdom, and may our words as well as our actions reflect His goodness, His gentleness, His grace.