Like a chain that ties us to the past, we carry unresolved anger in our hearts wherever we go. We who know Jesus Christ as Saviour can have our minds controlled by "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. Charles Simeon, We can be certain that God wants us to be wise, just as we are sure that he wants us not to sin. But unbelievers have no defense against his demonic input! "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. Lord, please put an end to our foolishness and As we bring othersdown, we gain the illusion that we are moving upward. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. James used the word wisdom to describe bitter envy and self-seeking (3:14-15). Therefore, the rich person and the poor person stand together on the common ground of Calvary. By:Anne Cetas(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 1 Peter 3:13; So James gives us a practical description of a person who is wise and understanding -- he demonstrates it by his good behavior and gentleness. In the preceding section James spoke of the importance of controlling one's tongue and now in James 3:13-18 speaks of the importance of controlling one's mind so to speak. 5:22, 23+). WuestBut the wisdom which is from above is essentially pure, then peaceable, sweetly reasonable, satisfied with less than its due, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free from insincerity. Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. Is it wise to be bitterly envious of other peoples possessions, talents, or good looks? NKJ James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. Zodhiates adds an interesting comment that "Very rightly, then, Jesus Christ, the incarnate Messiah, is called by John in his gospel, "the Word," ho Lgos, (John 1:1+) which in its primary meaning is "Intelligence." . (THE ANSWER = ) Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. "The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood" (Proverbs 12:6). Here the noun (akatastasia) points to the resultant public confusion, disorder, and chaotic turbulence in the assembly.In Luke 21:9 it is used to describe the tumults, uprisings, and revolutions that will mark the period preceding the parousia. "A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes" (Proverbs 18:6). Spurgeon's Bible Commentary James 4 James 4:1-17 1 From whence come wars and fightingsa among you? ESV James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Notice phusis is used twice, first for species, then for (human) race. Louw-Nida says it means "pertaining to being gracious and forbearing." James is showing that the reason cursing men is evil is because they are made in the likeness of God, the One we bless. Here it would refer to the disorder caused by those who withtheir false wisdom trouble the group of believers by demanding their own rights and exercising a party spirit. A HARVEST OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, The NIV has an excellent, straight-forward rendering stating that "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. No more can sea water yield fresh water. Two men were envious and covetous. Proverbs 26:18-22 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death, 19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, Was I not joking? 20 For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. That's why many nonbelievers do not take the gospel message seriously. It rolls up its sleeves and takes action." Those "peaceful" animals were capable of doing great damage, and even killing. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships). 2:6-7). By definition, it is restricted to things that man can theorize, discover, and accomplish by himself. The discerning person soon realizes that biblical wisdom is more about practice than philosophy. 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. Ought not - Greek uses the strongest negative to modify chre(ou chre) signifying that this absolutely ought not to be this way. She had never cooked beef tongue before! "A grievous word stirreth up anger" (Proverbs 15:1). NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? MacArthur -James has already made clear that disorder does not characterize Gods people but rather the double-minded man, unstable [akatastatos] (James 1:8) and the unredeemed tongue, which is a restless [akatastatos] evil and full of deadly poison (James 3:8). Christian: He is the son of one Say-well; he dwelt in Prating Row; and is known of all that are acquainted with him, by the name of Talkative in Prating Row; and notwithstanding his fine tongue, he is but a sorry fellow. Men read what you write, whether faithless or true - When my wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we arrived early to get a good seat. All rights reserved). "To understand the words of the wise, and their dark sayings" (Proverbs 1:6). Paul R VanGorder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Purity, as required by God, and exemplified in the measure of their faith by all Christs people, implies a superiority of soul, which will show itself continually in word and deed, to everything low and sensual, to everything selfish and mean,a freedom from petty views and sinister ends, and, on the contrary, a relish and love of everything really great and good. Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech. In this series, Dr. R.C. A strong emphasis in Spurgeon's preaching was God's grace and sovereignty over man's helpless state. I'm always saying the wrong thing! Yet Scripture clearly states that an abusive tongue is not under the control of the Spirit (James 3:3l0). J. I. Packer, The kind of wisdom that God waits to give to those who ask him is a wisdom that will bind us to himself. Filled with messages for Thee; It is human nature to speak of FAULTS rather than VIRTUES. 5:20) and petitionary prayer (5:1518), both of which are contrary to the doctrine of karma behind reincarnation, which affirms that whatever is sown in this life must be reaped in the next life (no exceptions). Biblical Illustrator 4. But if we do not heed Paul's command (only possible as we are empowered by the Spirit)to "not let sin reign (present imperative with a negative) in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts" (Ro 6:13+), then we are giving our fallen, sinful flesh an opening from which to spew forth "bitter water." Just after his counsel to wives and husbands (1 Pet. Constable writes that "Not only is this phenomenon contrary to the will of God, it is also contrary to the natural order of things.". Reprinted by permission. R. C. Sproul, Conviction of ignorance is the doorstep to the temple of wisdom. The course of nature refers to ongoing of life in general, not the recycling of individual souls. Matthew Henry, Such is the degeneracy of human nature that there is no true wisdom to be found with any but those who are born again and who, through grace, partake of the divine nature. That harmony is threatened by worldly wisdom. NRS James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. Is it wise to be selfishly ambitiousand then brag about what your ambition brings you? If your mind goes blankdon't forget to turn off the sound. Design flaws in both the clothing and the slide made this an accident waiting to happen. Phillips It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. 3:17; 2 Pet. He propagates his evil in Bible language and many Christians swallow it hook, line and sinker. In clear black and white Overhearing his reply (which praised the other), a friend approached him afterwards and said, "General, do you know that the man of whom you spoke is one of your bitterest enemies and misses no opportunity to malign you?" "A man shall be commended according to his wisdom" (Proverbs 12:8). Spurgeon -It would be a monstrosity, a thing to be wondered at, and stared at as unnatural and absurd if a fig tree started bearing olive berries and it is just as unnatural for a Christian to live in sin. It was hopelessly overweight, and I suspect it no longer had any teeth. that can only give you earthly, natural and demonic wisdom? 21:11; Rom. Wisdom is the beauty of holiness. ", MacArthur has an excellent explanation of earthly wisdom as that which is "limited to the present, material world of time and space. Those two words shouldnt go together. They bless with their mouth, But inwardly they curse. "When the scoffer is punished, the simple is made wise" (Proverbs 21:11). Steven Cole on wisdom that is pure -It may point to moral purity, but in the context here, it especially has the sense of being free from any jealousy or selfish ambition. Elsewhere the rendering is natural, as in the contrast between the natural body and the spiritual body in 1 Cor. 11:38). Paul echoes this theme often. He said that with the tongue we bless our God who created us, but we also curse those whom He has created (v.9). How, then, can I best honor God and help others? (Thru The Bible with J. Vernon McGee), Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. May the words we speak point others to Jesus. Sinclair Ferguson, True wisdom is always humble. (Ibid), Wiersbe -The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills. People in our lives may sometimes suggest we do what seems most gratifying or practical in the moment. She suffocated when the drawstring of the hood on her jacket became caught in a playground slide. Why aren't we like that wise old bird? ", J. I. Packersaid that "Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it.". The basic idea isof exulting in being able to prevail over something or someone else, boasting in one's self to the injury of another person or thing. `Wisdom crieth aloud in the street " (Proverbs 1:20-33). James 3:17. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. Daniel Whole Bible Commentaries 1. D. Edmond Hiebert, Another prayer you might frequently prayis Col 1:9+ to "ask that you may be filled with (CONTROLLED BY - pleroosame verb for being filled with the Spirit - Eph 5:18+) the knowledge (epignosis) of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." While some writers feel James is speaking primarily to teachers (James 3:1), there is nothing in this section which indicates it would not also be applicable to all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. J. C. Ryle, By the striking of the clapper we guess at the metal of the bell. John Evelyn, Wisdom and the will of God are intimately related Nothing is more vital for practical knowledge of the purpose of God than wisdom. Do we feel burdened when others fail, or are we glad? Fruits(plural = speaks of the variety of fruit produced)(2590)(karpos) is used in its literal sense to refer to fruit, produce or offspring, which describes that which is produced by the inherent energy of a living organism. Its actual chemical composition remains a mystery. These behaviors come from a heart that is unlike God's heart. Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New . ", Is tamedhas been tamed(1150) see below ondamazo. Deuteronomy Comment - The English word subdue means "to establish ascendancy over by force | to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion | to hold in check or repress." 2:21; Jas. All rights reserved, Summary of Study of James from chapter 1-3. b. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: The fire of the tongue has been used to burn many. By such moral convictions, and feelings, and conduct, a man is proved to be wise with that heavenly wisdom which consists in a true, vital, energetic apprehension of his relations to God, of the chief end of man, of duty and happiness." Reprinted by permission. Think of the potential of the tongue which James is depicting with this phrase the very world of iniquity -- it has the power to affect the entire unrighteous, sinful world! 1:27; Jas. Who among you has no will of his own, but has made God's will his very own? (b) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy which produces good fruits, that is, which results in practical help. His life will be characterized by modesty and unobtrusive-ness. Choose Book of Bible to Study Hagnosdescribes wisdom that is morally undefiled and not corrupted by any form of evil in this fallen world. No alloys, not tainted by any impurity (in 1 Ti 5:22 hagnos is translated in NASB as "free from sin"). If so, you have the wits of a withering world. D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth. 4 Look! See how great a forest a little fire kindles! Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. In false wisdom, man is supreme. News of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed that the accident was caused by human stubbornness. Double-speak is defined aslanguage that deliberatelyobscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses themeaningof words. All rights reserved), The task Thy wisdom hath assigned, atdiscoveryseries.org/q0703. To seek ease at the cost of righteousness, is to make peace for ever impossible. Psalm 52:2Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, O worker of deceit. (Sermon), But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man.Matthew 15:18, The Bible stresses that what you say is an accurate indicator of what is in your heart. And whereabout does he dwell? James is saying that the full range of iniquity finds an outlet through the tongue. Reprinted by permission. It amounts to nothing in the light of eternity! Thus we see that gentleness is a defining quality of godly wisdom, the "fruit" so to speak. She showed her shopping list to the girl helping her and said, Its in two tongues(lenguas). But she meant to say that she had written it in two languages(idiomas). The first of the eighteenth-century churchman William Law's rules for life was: 'To fix it deep in my mind that I have but one business upon my hands, to seek for eternal happiness by doing the will of God.' (James 1:17+) And in the present context one "good thing" and "perfect gift" is wisdom from above, from God our Father! The peacemakers are those who live by the heavenly wisdom, which is first pure and then peaceable, that is, by righteousness. This passage begins with a stern warning to those who teach and proceeds to a set of pronouncements, nearly a tirade, on how the human tongue Continue reading "Commentary on James 3:1-12" He preached in the same church as C. H. Spurgeon over one hundred years earlier. She saw him go to the homes where there were sickness, death, and sorrow, and she watched him as he moved about the village, though she never heard him speak in public. (Proverbs 18:21), "The wicked are estranged from the womb; These who speak lies go astray from birth. This statement hearkens back to the description in Genesis where we read "Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.(Ge 1:26, 28). 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." It follows that only believers can truly tame their tongue. Discretion of speech is better than eloquence with words. The second is first pure and then peaceable. James 3:17. 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