He is implying that if we are genuine believers we should bring forth fruit or water (so to speak) that is consistent with our new birth and the new power of the indwelling Spirit to produce "good fruit" or "fresh water. (a) Eupeiths can mean always ready to obey. Reprinted by permission. As James has just noted, this wisdom is motivated by pride, selfish ambition, arrogance, self-centeredness, self-interest, and self-aggrandizement. What we say indicates who we are, whether we are still in Adam (unregenerate) or in Christ (regenerate) You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? James 3:13shows the practical aspect of wisdom by describing the one who is wise (godly wisdom) as demonstrating he is wise by his good behavior. Oswald Chambers, Knowledge is the fountain of wisdom. (James 3:15, 16) (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James)(Bold added). She suffocated when the drawstring of the hood on her jacket became caught in a playground slide. Its natural killer instinct having been honed since the tender age of six months, this beast is fearful of no one. Heart transformation begins with confession and repentance. Wise people live skillfully. But James said, No man can tame the tongue. We either exhibit the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21+) or display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. Gods righteousness results in His children living right. 35:20; Ps. He also knew well the terrible joy that comes only through suffering as he lived quite afflicted (both by illness and slander). (1 Cor 1:20), THOUGHT - Let's get practical. In First Corinthians Paul repeatedly denounces man's natural wisdom which is really not wisdom in spiritual and eternal matters. The evidence of the true wisdom in control (James 3:1718) We must get our "spiritual roots" deep into His Word. Dionysius the Elder, Nothing is often a good thing to say. Anon. Amplified Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine figs? We may even hear the preacher talk about not slandering others, but before we leave we will say things concerning others that amount to slander. (b) Eupeiths can mean easy to persuade, not in the sense of being pliable and weak, but in the sense of not being stubborn and of being willing to listen to reason and to appeal. And sets on fire the course of our life-NET translates it as the tongue is that which "sets fire to the course of human existence." BDAG - "pertainingto being conducive to a harmonious relationship." While the truly wise set their minds on the things above, not on thing of the earth (Col 3:2), the earthly wise set their minds on earthly things (Phil 3:19). 3:3; Tit. The point is that the tongue is composed of four muscles, but the motor input to those muscles comes from the brain and this is what Burdick is referring to. (1 Cor 14:33). SPEAK AND DO - In ancient Greek dramas, a person behind a curtain spoke the lines while the performer on stage acted out the role. (Luke 6:28+), For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, 22 WHO COMMITTED NO SIN, NOR WAS ANY DECEIT FOUND IN HIS MOUTH; 23 and while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously(1 Peter 2:21-23+), Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. Fig trees do not yield olives or vines figs. If not, check out what kind of seed youre sowing. The deceptive thing about a poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then it kills. The tongue itself is kindled with the very "FIRE OF HELL." Our tongue has that same awful potential. (Ibid). Such behavior is unthinkable to the wise Christian. James is emphatic thatsuch "dichotomousdialogue" is completelyunnaturalfor those who are new creatures in Christ, and among whom old things have passed away (good and evil speech natural from same mouth) and new things have come (holy speech) (cf 2 Cor 5:17+). When we are filled with the Spirit and under His control our speech will most likely be "fresh water," that which honors God. "A word in due season, how good is it! "The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver" (Proverbs 10:20). ESV James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. NAB James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? This was a theatrical term used of one who never played a part for personal gain. Thomas Goodwin, If the mouth be bad, the mind is not good. 13:9; 2 Sam. It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life." To honor You today. MacArthur -Hell is Satan's place, prepared for him and his demons (Matt. All rights reserved), SOME TALK ABOUT TALK [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). All rights reserved). Lord, I need Your help that I might control my thoughts and words today. 1 Kings - "Do nothing from selfishness(eritheia) or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves." We think of the wicked lie that the backslidden old prophet of Bethel told to the bright, young prophet from Judah (1 Kings 13:1-32). So too, though the tongue is a small organ, it can do great harm. Of course James may also be speaking to some individual whoprofessed belief, but they would not be able to carry out this command (evidence that they were "professors" and not "possessors" of Christ). Peter uses anastrophe to encourage the saints "keep a good conscience so that in the thing in which you are slandered, those who revile your good (agathos) behavior (anastrophe) in Christ will be put to shame." BBE James 3:17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. Gossip is rooted in ourneed to feel good about ourselves. Former US President Harry Truman had a rule: Any letters written in anger had to sit on his desk for 24 hours before they could be mailed. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. With the person who says, 'Oh, I know I talk too much,' and laughs it off, James is not amused. 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. 2:20; Jas. One great fundamental characteristic of the morality taught in the Bible is, that it occupies the whole nature. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. For example, pikros suggests a spiteful, vindictive person as well as bitter, unpleasant taste (see Exodus 15:23), piercing sound, sorrowful feelings, and painful disappointment. Phusisis that which belongs to a person or thing by virtue of its origin, then, its essential character. Nature speaks of the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing. (Pr 10:19) When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise. 9 She will place on your head a garland of grace; She will present you with a crown of beauty.. III. A wise owl indeed, because he learned to listen. Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the unsinkable HMSTitanic. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. (Mt.12:34-37), If your tongue is under Gods control, you will take what you say seriously andyour whole body will be under His discipline. Sad contrast between wild animals that can be tamedand mankind's wild tongue which cannot be tamed. Matthew Henry, It is bad to think ill, but it is worse to speak it. 21:1-10; 22:9-23). 1 John Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere. James 3:17 - The wisdom that is from above is without hypocrisy. When we are pure (James 3:17), strong (Eph. Speaking without thinking is like shooting without taking aim. The heart of an unwise person carries an insatiable hunger to push himself or herself to the top. He is a living lie.". BBE James 3:10 Out of the same mouth comes blessing and cursing. Especially in times of crisis, the right word can bring healing and encouragement, while the wrong word can destroy your relationship with another person. 2:26; Deut. Pseudomaitherefore involves not only the communication of a falsehood but also the intent to deceive. They were good examples to a young person saved out of a non-Christian environment, and I owe them a debt of gratitude. If you sow Gods wisdom, youll reap peace. . In other words, it is focusing on our motives. "The heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness" (Proverbs 12:23). Pauls definition of true and false wisdom is seen in 1 Cor. By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. "A man that flattereth his neighbor Spreadeth a net for his steps" (Proverbs 29:5). NRS James 3:16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. For "in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise" (Proverbs 10:19). When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. It occurred to me that their unfortunate conversation could have pushed us away if we were there looking for a new church home. 2:21; Jas. Thats surprising, because we normally equate wisdom with something good. "When the wise is instructed, he receiveth knowledge" (Proverbs 21:11). The grandest created thing certainly must be a soul that can grasp the idea of a Creator, and can love that Creator as a Father. (Ps 141:3). That principle applies to good things as well as sinful, but James's emphasis here is entirely on the negative aspects of our speakingsuch as gossip, slander, false accusations, lying, filthy language and stories, and other sins of the tonguethat can destroy individual lives, families, schools, churches, and communities. Their wisdom is more characteristic of the world, the flesh, and the devil than of God. Reprinted by permission. Edgar Watson Howe, There is a time for saying nothing; there is occasionally a time for saying something; there is never a time for saying everything. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks (Matt. We prefer to blame the worlds problems on religious or political differences. Be arrogant(2620)(Katakauchaomaifromkata= against +kauchaomai= to boast) means to boast against. A host of positive qualities follow true heavenly wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. By:David C. McCasland, O Prince of Peace, keep us, we pray, NRS James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. Every now and then you read a horrible story of a child mauled by some wild animal that had supposedly been domesticated. 1:7; Mic. John Trapp, A ready tongue without an informed mind, a devout character and a holy life will hinder rather than advance the cause of Christ. 64:3; Pr5:4 = "in the end she is bitter as wormwood"; Pr27:7 = to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet. THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF A SERMON. 24:25; 1 Ki. But do Christians who praise the name of God the Father act differently from persons who refuse to praise his name? Not ini a boastful sense of course, but in fact with a show of gentleness (many versions render it humility)! Defiles(stains, pollutes, corrupts, infects) (4695)(spiloofromspilos) means stained, defiled, contaminated or soiled. "Pleasant words are pure" (Proverbs 15:26). We can feel imprisoned by hard feelings, strained relationships, and confining circumstances. The Lord Jesus said that what is in the heart will come up through the mouth; you can be sure your tongue is going to say it. let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. The struggle to control our tongues can seem like a losing battle. "He that harpeth on a matter separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 17:9). The force ofkatakauchaomaiis to brag about oneself in comparison with others. My brethren- Once again identifying himself with them as fellow believers, members of the same family, the family of God. It is easy to have "bitter envying and strife" in our hearts (James 3:14). I threw the papers away in disgust, although I should have saved them for sermon illustrations! Foolishness '' ( Proverbs 29:5 ) of grace ; She will place on your head a garland of ;! ; others for another sort of work ; others for another sort work!, self-centeredness, self-interest, and the devil than of God ini a boastful sense of course, he... Receiveth Knowledge '' ( Proverbs 15:26 ) and confining circumstances `` bitter envying and strife '' in hearts! Thats surprising, because he learned to listen but also the intent to deceive 10:19 ) when are! 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