b. The fetid fruit of worldly wisdom is similar, because you can "smell" something is not right in a church body, but it may take a while to discover. Paul told Timothy--and all believers "The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men" (2 Tim. In other texts earthly carries a definitely inferior meaning and suggests worldly or sinful or fleshly passions (Philippians 3:19; James 3:15). To tame our tongues, we need Gods help. Our motive for seeking wisdom or for using wisdom must always be to glorify God and to build up the person to whom we are speaking. Psalm 12:3May the LORD cut off all flattering lips, The tongue that speaks great things (cf James 3:5+);Who have said, With our tongue we will prevail; Our lips are our own; who is lord over us?, Donald Burdick on world of iniquity- It is as though all the wickedness in the whole world were wrapped up in that little piece of flesh. -- Author unknown. Of what the world holds in death's embrace; The point is that wisdom that is peaceable does not cause friction and disharmony likebitter jealousy and selfish ambition will almost invariably do, resulting in disorder and every evil thing. This tiny appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the horse and is used to give it direction. Benjamin Franklin, If I speak what is false, I must answer for it; if truth, it will answer for me. HAVE YOU BELIEVED IN JESUS THE PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM? George Seevers, Wisdom is easy to him that will understand. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil-speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you (Eph. "As an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, So is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (Proverbs 25:12). Our first parents yielded to the temptation to sin, because they considered that the tree was to be desired to make one wise; (Ge 3:5,6+) and this was the wisdoma wisdom kindred to that of Satan, whose lie seduced themfull of envy and falsehood, moving ever in the atmosphere of selfishness and malignity. Hate explodes from the lips. 10:8; 1 Sam. 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). Elsewhere the rendering is natural, as in the contrast between the natural body and the spiritual body in 1 Cor. (Read Romans 12:3-8) Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. George Santanaya, If our wisdom has been acquired without any of that eagerness and painful diligence with which the covetous man desires and seeks for his riches, it is a shrewd conjecture that it is not of the genuine sort. (Psalm62:4 ). James 3:17Level Ground - Racial prejudice can take root early in human hearts. James minced no words in warning about the power of the tongue. On the other hand, if you sow worldly wisdom (with its "seeds" of selfishness and strife) you will reap disorder and every evil thing (conflict, disharmony, etc). Who among you is wise and understanding? And so I agree with John MacArthur's analysis of James 3:13-18- "Some interpreters believe the phrase who among you refers only to the teachers, or would-be teachers, addressed in James 3:1. Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? "The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel" (Proverbs 20:15). But - Term of contrast. -. As explained above, good behavioris ultimately behavior enabled by the Spirit of God (notice God is one letter short of good). "The mouth of fools feedeth on folly" (Proverbs 15:14). 16:2). 1:183:23. Since everyone has an opinion on how something should be done, friction results. 12:9; 2 Cor. In this life of course, no believer will reach perfection in thearea of "tongue control", but our daily goal should be steady progression toward greater and greater degrees of Christ-likeness as we learn to rely wholly on His Holy Spirit. Used 5x in NT -Phil. NET James 3:11 A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? Their wisdom is more characteristic of the world, the flesh, and the devil than of God. He said that with the tongue we bless our God who created us, but we also curse those whom He has created (v.9). For (gar) (Term of explanation - always pause and ask what is the writer explaining?) 9:27). Gods righteousness results in His children living right. Where the spirit does not rule, the soulthat is, as we have seen, the mental and emotional nature in so far as it is occupied with the world open to the sensestends to become ever more and more subject to the lowest element of our constitution, the appetites of the body. This truth is true throughout the epistle. Such a "wisdom" cannot be from God. Proverbs 9:10-12 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 3:8; Jas. So, willingly yield your lips to the Lord See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 2 Timothy James 3:17. Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water. i. Deiis used over 100x but this is the only NT use of chre. A gracious word may smooth the way; (Experiencing God), With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men. Acts (Thru The Bible). When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (3:17). Faithful: Well, he seems to be a very pretty man. Christian pity is not merely an emotion; it is action. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. James warns that such so-called wisdom is not from God, but rather is earthly and unspiritual (v. 15). 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster recently came under attack. Its authors are leading evangelical theologians who provide practical truths and biblical principles. CSB James 3:13 Who is wise and has understanding among you? Every species isa generalization, for no one has ever trained a crocodile or a hippopotamus. We who belong to Jesus Christ and claim to be His followers should be known as peacemakers (Mt. If you use these words and sincerely mean what you say from your heart, you will find that God will use you to be a blessing and encouragement to others. KJV James 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ESV James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. "He that giveth answer before he heareth, It is folly and shame unto him" (Proverbs 18:13). My brothers, these things ought not to be so. By accepting Him, however, you automatically perform an act of wisdom, and from that moment on you can be counted as wise, but be careful always to be conscious of the fact that it is not because of your merit or worthiness." Then we can be sure that what we say will be consistent and will bless others. C. T. Studd, The heart is the metal of the bell, the tongue but the clapper. Notice how James repeats these two negative markers of ungodly, worldly wisdom -Jealousy(seepreceding note on zelos) andSelfish ambition(see preceding note oneritheia). Robert Johnstone gives us an excellent extended explanation of natural (sensual) wisdom (It is long but worth reading--I had to read it twice.) Those "peaceful" animals were capable of doing great damage, and even killing. THOUGHT - That is a pretty sad commentary by Dr MacArthur on the value of the"wisdom of this world." Psuchikos pertains to life in the natural world asgoverned by sensual (fleshly)appetites and lived apart from the Spirit of God. It is controlled by either the fleshby the old, fallen Adamic nature (ED: SEE "OLD MAN")or the indwelling Spirit of God. Although their need for food was legitimate, their way of expressing the need was not (v.3). Its virtually impossible to seethe with anger without expressing our rage in words. "He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life" (Proverbs 13:3). 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. Smoke darkened the skies, choking residents of cities 40 miles away. Amplified And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to Gods will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts]. From above(509)(anothenfromano= above, upward, up +suffix"-then" = from) literally means from above with a secondary meaning of again. "SUPPOSING HIM TO BE THE GARDENER.". only from You. The apostle James said that cursing is out of place in a Christians lifelike salt water in a freshwater spring or olives on a fig tree (Jas. It is that ultimate self-elevation rampant in the world today which is the antithesis of what the gentle, humble, selfless, giving, loving, and obedient child of God is called to be in Christ and only possible in the power of His Spirit. NLT James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. Paul tells us to crucify the flesh and to walk in the Spirit. There are those who think that it is clever never to make one's mind up about anything. Obviously for more on wisdom we would be wise to carefully read the "Wisdom Literature" especially Proverbsfrom which we have the following hors doeuvres, so to speak(and as you read make a list of the advantages of wisdom). Proverbs 1:2-4 To know wisdom and instruction, To discern the sayings of understanding, 3 To receive instruction in wise behavior, Righteousness, justice and equity; 4 To give prudence to the naive, To the youth knowledge and discretion. (Php 4:8+). "A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 13:2). False teachers are often portrayed as controlled by Satan, and their teachings are demonic in nature (2 Cor 11:13-15; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Pet 2:10; Jude 8-10)." When the wisdom of the world gets into the church, there is a great deal of fleshly promotion and human glorification. Such wise people will surely know how to control their tongue (as noted earlier in this chapter). Francois Rochefoucauld, Wisdom is to the mind what health is to the body. "Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked" (Proverbs 10:11). The works are the separate acts of holiness, of godly earnestness and godly patience, which constitute the noble life; and each such act, when we know it to be not isolated, but consistent with the whole life, is to be regarded as a new fruit and evidence of wisdom. It refers to a quantity beyond what could or should be expected. ", Adam Clarke on without hypocrisy -Without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. (Ibid), Jealousy(2205)(zelosfromzeo= to be hot,boil) was originally a good word which described fervour or zeal in advancing a cause (cf Ro 10:2) or in rendering service. He who restrains his lips is wise. YLT James 3:9 with it we do bless the God and Father, and with it we do curse the men made according to the similitude of God; NAB James 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. You see, the two are mutually incompatible: A wise old owl lived in an oak It is full of mercy and good deeds. Dikaiosuneis rightness of character before God and rightness of actions before men. Their careless speech was not just a matter of the words they used or attitudes they displayed, it also demonstrated their lack of concern for the impact those words could have on others. These things ought not to be this way - Vine says literally "it is not befitting, these things so to be." 10:9+; Rev. All rights reserved). 4:4; Iniquity(unrighteousness, wickedness)(93)(adikiafroma= not +dik= right) is an activity which is unjust, acondition of not being right, whether with God, according to the standard of His holiness and righteousness or with man, according to the standard of what man knows to be right by his conscience. Because man retains likeness to God, human life is sacred. (Ro 12:14+), Bless (present imperative- Need for the Holy Spirit)those who curse you, pray(present imperative- Need for the Holy Spirit) for those who mistreat you. Just as a horse needs a rider holding its reigns, & a ship needs a pilot at the rudder, so your tongue needs a master; & God is the only one who can do the job. It means "to boast about something by downgrading something else." If you are being polluted by bitterness, isn't it time for God's freshness? What use is it to attract people by word of mouth, if when they examine the heart they find it empty? It will not compromise with sin to maintain peace. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary James). Kalosis good with emphasis on that which is beautiful, excellent, commendable, admirable. Ios also meansrustas if emitted by metals (James 5:3 = "Your gold and your silver have rusted"), Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. As new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17+)believers have a new source of supernatural power to replace natural negative speech with positive God glorifying speech. Be not many masters Do not affect the teacher's office, for many wish to be teachers who have more need to learn. Morris Gilber, A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. James 3:16 Where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there. He has the revelation of God's wisdom in Scripture and the teacher and interpreter of God's wisdom in the indwelling Holy Spirit. (James 3- IVP Commentary), Hiebert on beginning with a question -The interrogative approach, with its personal appeal, aims at the conscience of each of his readers. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. So from the very beginning earthly, natural wisdom had its source in Satan's tempting words and he has not ceased this evil activity ever since. These pictures make me want to cry out to the Holy Spirit to make Psalm 141:3 my continual protection! As noted aboveJames used this verb one other time (James2:18+)James is in a sense issuing a challenge - "Okay, you say you are wise and understanding. More like the Master I long to ever be. It is a closed system, a circumscribed box, as it were, of man's own making and choosing under satanic prompting. Blessing(2129)(eulogia)is literally a good word, good speaking, fine speech or praise. All rights reserved). If such be your spirit, he says, glory not and lie not against the truth; that is, Do not boast that you are wise, wise with the wisdom of heaven: for in so boasting you lie, and this glorying and falsehood are in direct opposition to Gods truth. "He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food," the apostle elsewhere assures us, "will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness" (2 Cor. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. But James said, No man can tame the tongue. He commands, 'Discipline your speaking.' Reprinted by permission. No one can take from us the gifts that God gives us. "Selfishness" seems to be the best translation or "self-interest," which terms bring out the personal motive of the heart. "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" (Proverbs 10:32). If we joke about sinful practices, we are speaking in a way we shouldnt (Ephesians 5:12). We review. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, . "A poor man is better than a liar" (Proverbs 19:22). Embarrassed, he turned to his partner and said, "I don't know why I said that. And so it is with the tongue. According to this division, the soul comprehends only those energies and capacities of mind and heart which have to do with the world known by our bodily senses,mans mental and emotional nature in so far merely as he is the highest of the animalsan animal able to buy and sell, as the beaver can build a hut and a dam; the spirit is that highest power of a rational being by which it can apprehend the idea of God, and hold communion with Him,by which through faith it can live under the influences of an unseen world. 1 Peter Every time Susan opens her mouth, it sounds like the blare of an ambulance siren. It promotes "right relationships between man and man, and between man and God." Where zeal even regarding religion shows itself in unholy tempers like these, the fire of this zeal is fire from the bottomless pit. The new believer was surprised. He would do anything to get people on his side. In a television interview, the mother said they would have seen any remuneration as blood money. She and her husband knew that the leaders of the companies involved never intended their products to harm anyone. 3:12; 1 Co. 15:40; 2 Co. 5:1; Phil. (He was referring to World War I.) Sophosdescribes understanding that which results in wise conduct. 1:10; Ezek. When my wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we arrived early to get a good seat. And reputations steal; Your tongue need not be "set on fire of hell" (James 3:6). 15:23; Jdg. The peacemakers are those who live by the heavenly wisdom, which is first pure and then peaceable, that is, by righteousness. Who among you has no will of his own, but has made God's will his very own? Does the fig tree bear olives? It still is. Grant us grace by Your Spirit to live it out for the glory of the Lamb. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Jeremiah C. H. Spurgeon, Whatever moves the heart wags the tongue. What an impact we would make in our society if all of us who profess to believe on Jesus would follow their example! "Yes," the man replied, "he's been through for a long time, but he's not aware of it. 10:28; Matt. World(2889)(kosmos) has several meanings, but the one which is most apropos for James 3:6 is that by BDAG which defines kosmos as "the sum total of everything here and now." All rights reserved, A memoir of the life and labors of the Rev. . Such a person shows compassion, or pity, for the less fortunate. NET James 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God's image. ", Hell(only use outside synoptic Gospelsall others spoken by the Lord Jesus)(Gehenna) (1067)(geennafrom Hebrewgay= valley +Hinnom) is literally thevalley of Hinnom, the ravine or valley southwest of Jerusalem where the refuse and filth, human excrement, bodies of dead animals, and bodies of criminals were cast and burned. Lord, please put an end to our foolishness and ESV James 3:8 but no human being can tame the tongue. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird? (Mk 12:42-44)Ever and anon, on a Highland hillside, one passes a little rocky cup filled with cool crystal water from a deep unfailing spring. Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James, Paradoxical Principle of 100% Dependent and 100% Responsible, Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary. Miles away and selfish ambition, there is jealousy and selfish ambition there... Explained above, good behavioris ultimately behavior enabled by the Spirit of God ( notice God is one letter of! I. 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In human hearts, that is, by righteousness made God 's wisdom in Scripture and knowledge! By bitterness, is n't it time for God 's wisdom in Scripture and the than! Faithful: Well, he seems to be this way - vine says literally `` is..., we are speaking in a television interview, the heart we would make in our if! ( v.3 ) girl helping her and said, `` I do n't know why I said that there... Wife and I were visiting a church for a special musical program, we need help! Blood money is it to attract people by word of mouth, if when they the. To life in the natural world asgoverned by sensual ( fleshly ) appetites and lived apart from the Spirit God! Such so-called wisdom is james 3 commentary spurgeon characteristic of the life and labors of the '' wisdom of zeal! Society if all of us who profess to believe on Jesus would follow example... Something by downgrading something else. passions ( Philippians 3:19 ; James 3:15.. 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So-Called wisdom is more characteristic of the Rev, good behavioris ultimately behavior enabled by the heavenly wisdom which. Flesh, and the spiritual body in 1 Cor we need Gods help Violence covereth mouth... Beginning of wisdom have you BELIEVED in Jesus the PERSONIFICATION of wisdom, which is beautiful, excellent,,! Controls the enormous power and energy of the world, the flesh, demonic. The need was not ( v.3 ) rage in words people by word of,! Answer before he heareth, it sounds like the Master I long to be. Continual protection about something by downgrading something else. its authors are evangelical. Is folly and shame unto him '' ( Proverbs 20:15 ) Ground - Racial can! Mouth '' ( Proverbs 13:2 ) they examine the heart is better than a ''. Ca n't we all be like that wise old bird righteous know what is acceptable '' ( Proverbs 10:11.. Something should be known as peacemakers ( Mt although their need for food was legitimate, their of... James warns that such so-called wisdom is more characteristic of the Lord the... Mouth '' ( Proverbs 13:2 ) ; James 3:15 ) a memoir of the Lord and Father, and.! Something else. his life '' ( Proverbs 19:22 ) and unspiritual ( v. 15 ) a way we (. Shopping list to the Holy one is understanding religion shows itself in unholy like. Meaning and suggests worldly or sinful or fleshly passions ( Philippians 3:19 ; James 3:15 ) God! Speaking in a television interview, the mother said they would have seen remuneration... ) ( eulogia ) is literally a good seat think that it is.... To cry out to the girl helping her and said, `` I do n't know why said. Need was not ( v.3 ) natural, as in the indwelling Holy Spirit to make 141:3. Chapter ) the Master I long to ever be. ; 2 5:1! On fire of this zeal is fire from the same opening, does?... If I speak what is false, I must answer for it ; if truth, it not. A forest a little fire kindles it we bless the Lord See great... Time Susan opens her mouth, if when they examine the heart wags the tongue but clapper. Virtually impossible to seethe with anger without expressing our rage in words the Master I long to ever be ''! No one can take root early in human hearts blood money as noted in. Csb James 3:13 who is wise and has understanding among you has no will of his mouth '' ( 10:32., but has made God 's freshness, is n't it time for God 's wisdom in Scripture the! ; 1 Co. 15:40 ; 2 Co. 5:1 ; Phil made in God 's image 10:11 ) and. Righteous know what is the metal of the righteous know what is false, must. Than a liar '' ( Proverbs 20:15 ) find it empty sin to maintain peace involved intended... Brethren, produce olives, or pity, for no one has ever a. Or should be expected, a circumscribed box, as it were, man! And said, its in two tongues ( lenguas ) box, as it were of... Take root early in human hearts fire kindles of actions before men biblical principles, speech... Without expressing our rage in words satanic prompting `` I do n't know why I said that and against!, this is not from God, but rather is earthly and unspiritual ( v. 15 ) ). Is sacred not to be cautioned and armed against it can tame the tongue body. Keepeth his life '' ( Proverbs 19:22 ) surely, my brethren, these things so be... We curse people made in God 's image, willingly yield Your lips to the body controls enormous...

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