Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Tonight, after a brief break, we are back to our study of James.

We are still in James chapter three.

Our verse for consideration this evening is verse 13.

However, before we look into that verse, let’s read the entire last paragraph.

You may recall from our previous study that the Holy Spirit is changing the topic.

He moves us from the subject of words to that of wisdom.

Note again verse 13.

James 3:13 (KJV 1900)

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?

let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Remember that our overall theme of this chapter is “Living Our Our Faith Skillfully.”

We must be skillful with our words which requires wisdom.

Wisdom only comes from God.

A wise man learns to control his tongue by his daily submission to God through obedience to God’s Word.

Additionally, an intelligent person demonstrates a life skillfully lived by outward deeds (thoughts, words, and actions) that match a meek and humble life of submission to God.

That was the essence of verse 13.

Now we move to verse 14, which states:

GRAMMAR NOTES

You have my work in the handout given to you.

Here are my thoughts from that work.

Grammatically, there are a few things that stood out to me.

We have four nouns.

They are:

envying[(base word)excitement of mind, ardor, the fervor of spirit ; an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy ]

strife [electioneering or intriguing for office...hence, apparently, in the N. T. a courting distinction, a desire to put one’s self forward, a partisan and factious spirit which does not disdain low arts; partisanship, factiousness ]

hearts [heart.

Refers literally to the vital organ, but is more often used metaphorically for the inner person.

]

truth [truth, true, sincerity, integrity.

Indicates the quality or state of being real or genuine—often in the sense of visible and verifiable reality, demonstrated by facts, actual events, or proven character.

]

There are three verbs.

ye have [to contain or have some aspect or feature]

glory [to glory against, to exult over, to boast one’s self to the injury of (a person or a thing) ]

lie [to lie.

Refers to the act of lying or deceiving by lying ]

There is also only one adjective and no adverbs.

The adjective is bitter, meaning something harsh or virulent.

As you look then again at this verse, we understand a condition.

The condition is “IF” you have bitter envying or strife in your heart.

Bitter envying or strife is understood as a harsh spirit of rivalry or jealousy (envying) along with a harsh spirit of always putting one’s self before others, causing division.

IF that is you, then the Holy Spirit says to “glory not” or not boast of oneself.

Additionally, you are not to lie against the truth.

SPIRITUAL APPLICATION

Our first question is this.

What is the Holy Spirit talking about?

Wisdom is still the subject at hand- a subject that began in verse 13.

What is the Holy Spirit saying about wisdom?

In this verse, the Holy Spirit describes an unwise person.

As we already noted, a wise person seeks to put God first by humbling submitting through faithful obedience to His Word.

However, in verse 14, the Holy Spirit describes the person who focuses on themselves.

In particular, it is a believer fixated upon pleasing self instead of pleasing God.

They have the characteristics of “bitter envying and strife.”

They have lost their focus on God and are now back to the old habits of pleasing themselves.

Such a believer must stop doing two things immediately.

They must stop glorifying themselves and stop deceiving themselves concerning the truth of God’s Word.

It is interesting to note the contrast between God’s wisdom and the world’s wisdom.

God says a wise person is one who, in verse 13, is endued with His knowledge and then lives a life of humility, demonstrating their reliance upon Him.

However, in contrast, the world is always promoting self-love.

The world is always harping that you must learn to love yourself, you must raise your self-esteem, you must forgive yourself so you may find peace, you are of infinite worth, and that you must “get in touch” with yourself and your feelings.

The person who does so will then find love, help from others, peace, and fulfillment in living.

All of these are lies.

Each time a person becomes self-focused, they drive others away and, internally, they are a mess; nothing ever satisfies.

Unfortunately, this same worldly philosophy is often found in many churches today.

There are way too many so-called teachers, ministers, and laypeople who preach and teach self-love.

They teach the false wisdom of this world.

It is no wonder that our society is such a mess today.

False Wisdom and Flawed Teaching Arouse Bitter Envying/Jealousy

If you go back to our verse, note that again that it says,

James 3:14 “14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”

Remember that these words are for believers.

We established this fact in the James 1:1.

The Holy Spirit constantly reminds us by using the phrase, “My brethren.”

Thus, the Holy Spirit reminds us that the world’s wisdom and teaching often creep into churches through those who would teach such things.

They are teachers who are full of themselves, and the result of their labor is “bitter envying and jealousy.”

Isn’t it amazing how people, even believers, are often filled with envy and jealousy?

I know of a situation right now where a church and its pastor have ostracized a retired pastor and his wife simply because the pastor of that church is afraid that his people might like the retired pastor and his wife.

What is happening there?

There is jealousy and envy.

People become envious in many ways.

Some become envious and jealous of a position in the church.

I have seen pastors become envious of another pastor’s preaching or teaching ability.

Leadership and recognition are often the focus of envy and jealousy.

Some are envious because one person possesses more charisma and receives more attention than they.

We could go on and on about all the things that are the focus of bitter envying and strife.

The biggest issue here is the constant comparison of ourselves to others.

It will lead to bitter envy and strife every single time.

Listen to the Holy Spirit’s words in 2 Corinthians.

A few verses down, the Holy Spirit concludes.

The world’s wisdom says glorify yourself because no one else will.

God’s wisdom says glorify me and me alone.

Thus, when believers give in to the world’s wisdom and return to seeking their desires, it immediately opens the door for “bitter envying and strife.”

Here is the first point: false wisdom and wrong teaching arouse bitter envy and jealousy.

It soon results in a division between fellow believers, often disrupting church unity.

Thus, no believer should ever envy another person’s ability, position, or recognition.

There is no place for such things in those who seek to live the true wisdom of God.

And indeed there is no place for such things in those who teach the true wisdom of God.

Bitter envying and jealousy are wrong and ungodly.

Here is the next point.

False Wisdom and Flawed Teaching Arouse Strife

James 3:14 (KJV 1900)