James 3 - Be Careful Who You Get Advice From!

Click Here to Read or Listen to James 3 

Taming the Tongue

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

This is one of the few places in scripture where the bible gives a warning to those who would be teachers of God's Word. James teaches that they will be judged more strictly. What does that mean? 

The words of Jesus and James remind us that being among the teachers in God’s church is more than a matter of having natural or even spiritual gifts; there is an additional dimension of appropriate character and right living. “James found that this department of church-work had become extremely popular. Hence his warning about its serious responsibilities. God will judge us on the last day with special strictness on account of our influence over others.” (Moffatt)

But if the standard is perfection nobody would be a teacher. As James says, we all stumble in many ways. I think the key thing is that when you represent God by teaching His Word, your life will be under more scrutiny. If your life is completely out of alignment with your teaching, it will detract from the impact you can have. 

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

James turns his attention to the power of our tongues. He uses the examples of large animals, ships, and a great forest to show the power and potential destructive nature of our tongues. Though the tongue is one of the smallest parts of our body, it can either do much damage or much good. Our tongue can give words of encouragement and affirmation, or criticism and discouragement.

Do you encourage others around you and build them up by your words? Are you quick to criticize and judge others? Do you join in on gossip about another person, or do you defend them pointing out their good qualities?

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James continues to teach on the power of the tongue. Apparently there were many issues in the churches related to how people were speaking to each other and the world. This is also where in chapter 1 he said, "One should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger". 

The bottom line is once you say something you can't get it back. Words have consequences. The Proverbs say, 

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Proverbs 15:1

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in baskets of silver." Proverbs 25:11

The bottom line as James' concludes is that the words that come out of your mouth reflect your heart condition. One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is "self-control". One of the ways we exercise self-control with our tongues is to think about whether speaking at this time is the best thing to do. We should think before we talk and choose our words wisely. This will save us a lot of pain and humiliation at work and at home. 

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James now turns his attention to the subject of wisdom. My favorite definition of wisdom is, "Seeing things from God's perspective." 

First of all James says wisdom is proved by her actions. Wisdom is not just knowing things, but putting them practice. Wisdom can lead to pride, but when wisdom is put into action it shows humility. Some of the heresies in the early church were fomented by people who claimed to have "secret wisdom" which gave them "secret knowledge" about God. Any so called "wisdom" that leads to division, disorder, and bitterness in the church is not wisdom from God. 

God's wisdom always bears the fruit of peace, love, consideration, mercy, and submission. A true peacemaker uses the wisdom of God to bring about reconciliation between two people or two groups. They can see where the strongholds are in a disagreement or argument and help people to discover the path of peace. 

Do you have people in your life with the gift of wisdom? We should seek out our brothers and sisters in Christ who have and display godly wisdom. Be careful who you go to for advice, which is better called wisdom. Make sure the advice they are giving you comes from the true source of wisdom, God's Word!