James 3:1-18 “Think Before You Speak”

James takes issue with those who are careless and corrupt in their speech. In chapter 3, he directs his readers to understand how important it is, especially as a believer, to guard their tongue when speaking, or maybe, keep quiet and allow your works of service speak for you.

This is nothing new, especially in wisdom type literature. There are over 40 verses in Proverbs dealing with the wisdom of speaking with care.

Proverbs 10:19 warns, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

“Where words abound, sin may abound even more.”

Therefore, today’s sermon will be cut short!

Just kidding, it won’t.

Let’s read through James 3:1-18.

(3:1-2a) 1 “Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgement. 2 For we all stumble in many ways.”

As we go through, imagine a church setting, not like we know, but one where several believing families would gather, have supper together, then allow men to freely stand and address those in attendance.

This is more likely the setting James was used to, the freedom to speak was nice, but it was probably sorely abused

James saw too many men eager to teach and show off, they didn’t take it seriously

Teaching must be done, but let the few who are gifted do it, such as himself

He includes himself as a teacher, “we will incur”

Two reasons

A stricter judgment awaits teachers

“We all” this is everyone, including teachers “stumble” or the KJV says “offend” in many ways

James has spoken of the judgement to come in our recent study.

James 1:12 he alludes to the judgment for the one who perseveres. On that day he will have receive a special crown.

James 2:12-13 he encourages the believer to live by the law of liberty, the freedom to choose love and mercy, then at their judgment they will receive love and mercy

Here he is warning the judgment for the teacher will be more rigorous

The position of teacher is an important one, specifically in the church

Paul gives us a list of spiritual gifts, ranking them from the most important to the least in 1 Corinthians 12:28. “And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers…

Apostleship and Prophets has ceased, leaving teaching as the first, most important gift.

What is the position of teacher, why is it so important?

A teacher “explain[s] truths that have already been placed into the scriptures.”

They don’t develop new truths, or prophesy future truths, they explain what has already been done.

This is their importance, the teacher should have a clear understanding of truth and duty, therefore they can not plea ignorance at the judgement, they are bound to obedience of that which they know.

In Romans 2:17-23 Paul describes a group of teachers who were very bad at what they did, and what their misleadings led to.

These teachers relied upon the Law

Knew the will of God

Were approvers of the things that were essential, according to the Law

They were confident they were “guides to the blind”

“Lights to those who are in darkness”

“Correctors of the foolish”

“Teachers of the immature”

Paul, after describing them in this light of glory, then points out the truth about them through questioning.

“You who teach one another, do you not teach yourself?”

“You who preach that one shall not steal, do you steel?”

“You who say that one should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery?”

“You abhor idols, do you rob temples?

“You who boast in the Law, through breaking the Law, do you dishonor God?”

Of course, Paul was speaking of the Jewish rabbis and their hypocrisy. It does paint a picture of a strict judgment on those who teach one thing, but practice the opposite. Those who seek to impose certains practices on others, but not themselves.

James hopes in his warning, to spare his readers from such a fate.

He does include himself as a teacher, and would acknowledge the same awaits him.

James reminds the reader in the first half of verse 2, “...we all..” this is not just teachers, but all believers, including himself.

“...we all stumble in many ways.” This is honest humility. Knowing our fallen state, believers are always doing something, always falling short of perfections in all sorts of ways in life. I get the sense James is pointing out, “Look, judgment will be rough for us anyways, don’t saddle yourself with more possible issues, especially if you don’t need to!”

If you do, count the costs. Realize it is a serious task.

And that was just verse 1!

(2b-5a) 2b ”If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. 4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. 5a So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.”

The reader is presented with a characteristic of a perfect man. He is one who does not stumble or offend in his words. This individual has complete control over what he says, there is no flaw in or when he talks.

James proposes that such control in an individual would allow them to control everything else about their body as well.

He gives to illustrations to support his claim, this control would be like…

A horse, large powerful beasts, certainly more powerful than humans, is completely controlled by the rider because of a small bit that is placed in its mouth

A large ship, certainly beyond the control of an individual, until you place some sails on it and a small piece of wood or steel behind it in the water. The rudder allows one man to control the entire direction of the ship.

Just like this, the tongue, though small, can affect the path of the entire body

(5-6) 5b 5 “5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.”

It’s verses like this that make you wonder, what had happened before he started writing? I can see a church gathering where the men were free to address the congregants, one would start boasting, and another would start, who knows where it would end up, ruined relationships, physical altercations?

He writes of two horrible outcomes from a corrupt, careless speech

Destruction to the world around us

Destruction of ourselves

Gossip, backbiting, rumors, slanders, these are a few misuses of speech, I think we all at some point have witnessed the hardship to individuals around us this brings. It ruins relationships, and can make life very painful.

It’s easy to think misuse of our speech doesn’t affect us, however that’s a lie. You youth especially keep this part in mind. The wrong words can affect your life entirely, change its course completely.

Last week James mentioned Rahab, who professed before the spies their God was here God. Those words changed her course of life. She was spared when Jericho fell, and given a place in the lineage of Christ! What if she had denied the spies, spoke words against God? What if she had spoken against the spies themselves and angered them?

Maybe you say something horrible to someone you think is insignificant. Then 20 years later, you find yourself sitting across from the in a job interview, hoping they won’t remember your poor choice of words and hire you.

In both examples their lives were directed at certain times by the words chosen to speak, or not speak. There’s something to think on for awhile.

As well as changing the course of our own lives, our words also reveal what is in our hearts, our true nature.

Matthew 15:18, “But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.” These are Jesus’ words, the heart is the source for our mouth, what comes from it reveals the healthiness, or the sickness of that heart. A sick heart, and what it produces is what defiles us.

Such a small thing, the tongue, yet it can affect so much!

(7-8) 7 “For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.”

It’s amazing what humans can accomplish, the thought, especially back then, and even so now of the wild animals running free, now you can go to zoos and see most of them.

But give an individual enough time and freedom to speak, and they will stumble.

Anybody on social media? For myself, the ability to publish my thoughts, on a whim to the public at large, is not a good idea. Not for me, or really anyone that matter. Few can do it well.

Remember up in James 3:2 the second half? James gives us the perfect man, one who will not stumble in his speech.

Well, guess what James says, there verse 8, “...no one can tame the tongue.”

There is no one perfect, but there is one perfect God. The greatest use in all of history of speech, is in Christ. He was truthful in everything, had the perfect timing, the perfect use, lacking nothing. If we want a teacher, let’s look to Him.

(9-12) 9 “With it [our tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things our not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.”

Definitely not James the encourager!

It’s not natural for a single source to produce opposites. In God’s order everything does what it’s supposed to, fig trees produce figs, fresh water springs produce fresh water.

The Holy Spirit produces good fruit.

But us, we have issues. It shouldn’t be this way. And one day it will not!

We started this study with a possible thought James might have had regarding his readers. That maybe it would be better for them to keep their desire to teach, or speak to a minimum. It is common that many would rather have a position where they were able to talk incessantly and direct others, than commit themselves to good works. However, good works are the safe vehicle for Christians to express their faith, and not really be questioned.

(13) “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

Wisdom, like faith is most easily seen in action.

We might say something like, “Show me your wisdom without your works, I will show you mine with them.”

Notice too, the main attribute of an individual with wisdom, gentleness.

(14-17) - 14 “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.”

Verse 14 describes the heart of an individual. He is pointing out, if you know this is you, your heart, don’t lie and say it’s not. It’s arrogant to hear the truth and not accept it.

James characterizes two types of wisdom

Wisdom that does not come from above

Wisdom that comes from above

Wisdom that does not come from above, isn’t really wisdom. It’s not wise to follow this type of thinking. Yet it’s everywhere in society. You are wise if you trust your own understanding. It’s what you believe about yourself that matters. How do you feel, base your truth off of that.

Earthly wisdom is filled with jealousy and selfish ambition, this way of thinking leads to confusion and disorder. Read the news, that’s where we are today.

Pure wisdom is true wisdom. When we say or hear wisdom, our first thought should be that which comes from God. That which begins with the fear of Him.

The purpose of true wisdom is to make people Holy, not puff up in knowledge. It leads to order and right thinking, and confidence, peacefulness.

This wisdom bears fruit, or good works...it’s

Pure

Peaceable

Gentle

Reasonable

Full of mercy

Unwavering

Without hypocrisy

For the believer to seek wisdom, don’t look in the books born of this world, but search the book that reveals God in Christ

(18) “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace”

Compare with James words from 1:20 “for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

Here he ends chapter 3 with peace, sow righteousness in peace, righteousness will be reaped.

Proverbs 11:18, “The wicked earns deceptive wages, But he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.”

Galatians 6:8,” For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

You reap what you sow, still means something today.

To close, I think our scripture reading ties James discussion up nicely. It’s from Paul, Ephesians 4:29-32, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

After studying through James, who sees the results of our fallen nature so well, and has no issue pointing them out, it’s good to hear at the end, we are sealed in the Holy Spirit and forgiven our ways in Christ.

Let’s pray.

Dear father, help us to be considerate of our word usage, keeping in mind the great destruction that can come from their misuse. Help us to seek your wisdom, the only true wisdom. In Christ’s name we pray, amen.