James chapter 3

 

Memory verse: James 3:17

 

There were 2 apostles named James (Matthew 10:2-3). Jesus had a half-brother named James (Matthew 13:55, Matthew 27:56, Galatians 1:19). It is believed it was this James who was the leader in Acts 15:13 and Acts 21:18. John’s brother James had been killed earlier (Acts 12:2). It was the Lord’s brother Paul referred to in his epistles (1Corinthians 15:7, Galatians 2:9 & 12). It was this James’ brother who wrote the book of Jude (Matthew 13:55, Jude 1). James did not believe in his brother at first (John 7:3-5). The book of James is about practical Christianity. Be doers of the word, not just hearers (James 1:22-25). Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).” It is noteworthy that James used the same example to support the need for works that Paul used to support the need for faith (Romans 4, James 2:21-24).

 

Day 1 – behold also the ships

Verses 1-5

Be not many teachers who shall be held more accountable for making others stumble. If any man do not cause another to stumble with his words, he is a complete, mature man, and he is able to control his entire body. Like a 1,000 pound horse can be controlled with a little bit in his mouth, and like a 1,000 foot long ship can be controlled with a little rudder, the 2 ounce tongue controls a 200 pound body. What we say carries tremendous power. The book of Proverbs alone has 105 references to it, particularly chapters 10 and 15-18. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).” Jesus said, “…every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment, For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:36-37)”. It only takes a tiny spark to start a forest fire, and it only takes one bad statement to start a lot of trouble. “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire (Proverbs 16:27).”

 

Day 2 – the tongue can no man tame

Verses 6-8

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth (Proverbs 26:20).” “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1).” We can bring peace or strife to a situation with the words we choose. The tongue is an entire world of sin, and makes the entire body unclean. It sets ablaze the “wheel of life” with flames from hell. Man can tame all sorts of dangerous wild animals, but he cannot tame his own tongue. It is like the poison of a deadly snake. “They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah (Psalm 140:3).” The Lord went to the root of the problem, which is not just in our tongue, but in our heart (Matthew 15:10-20). “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man (Matthew 15:18).” “O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (Matthew 12:34).” “

 

 

 

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh (Luke 6:45).” In the next verse, the Lord asks why we call Him Lord, and do not the things which He says. If Jesus Christ is our Lord, is He the Lord of our heart and tongue? We cannot tame it on our own, but when our heart is fully His, the fruit of His Spirit will come out of our mouth. That is one reason He chose speaking with tongues.

 

Day 3 – out of the same mouth

Verses 9-12

How is it that with the same tongue we bless God and curse His highest creation – man, who is made in His image? One fountain cannot give healthy and contaminated water, or fresh and salt water, at the same time. You know a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:16-20, Matthew 12:33). We need to pray like David did: “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).” “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8).” “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name (Psalm 86:11).” When our heart is united in the fear of the Lord, the words of our mouth will reflect that. When our heart is only partially filled, our words will also reveal that.

 

Day 4 – this wisdom descendeth not from above

Verses 13-16

If a man is wise, his behavior or lifestyle of gentleness will show it. If we have harsh, cutting jealousy and contentious self-promotion in our hearts, we should not boast of ourselves to the hurt of others and lie about it. There is a kind of wisdom that does not come from God, but rather comes from the evil, carnal mind of man (Romans 8:1-15, 1Corinthians 1-2). This wisdom is only oriented to the things of this world. Its nature is no better than that of an animal, full of carnal appetites and passions. It is like that of demons. Where this wisdom is, there is instability and disorder.

 

Day 5 – the wisdom that is from above

Verses 17-18

The wisdom that God gives is certain and true. It brings peace. It is gentle, fair, patient, and moderate. It is approachable and accessible. It is full of mercy and produces a good harvest. It is without uncertainty and is not faked. God has some Siamese twins. They are permanently joined together and inseparable. One set is righteousness and peace (Psalm 85:10 - mutually connected, joined together, peace follows upon righteousness (Gesenius), Isaiah 32:15, Romans 14:17, Romans 8:6). People wonder why they have no peace when they are sinning (2Chronicles 15:3 & 5, Isaiah 48:12, Isaiah 57:21). The world only has a false, superficial peace (Jeremiah 6:4, Jeremiah 23:16-17. Ezekiel 13:10 & 16, 1Thessalonians 5:3). Wisdom tells us that we can only have peace when we are doing righteousness.