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. "The contentions of a wife are a continual dropping" (Proverbs 19:13). (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James), John MacArthur -There is an inexorable causal relationship between godly wisdom, genuine righteousness, and peace. Spurgeon's Bible Commentary James 4 James 4:1-17 1 From whence come wars and fightingsa among you? Amen"), Kent Hughesadds that "Jewish Christians were perpetuating the beautiful old Hebrew custom of saying, "Blessed be He" after each utterance of God's name, so that their worship times were continually punctuated by choruses of praise. ASV James 3:14 But if ye have bitter jealousy and faction in your heart, glory not and lie not against the truth. 2:5; Jas. E. Stanley Jones, Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. GNT James 3:15 , , . Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the unsinkable HMSTitanic. Jesus said that our words come from our heart (Matt. (James 3 Commentary). He was the brother of the *apostle John. KJV James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. This statement hearkens back to the description in Genesis where we read "Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.God blessed them; and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.(Ge 1:26, 28). (Mt 5:14-16+) How is that little light of yours? 2:18; Jas. Selah. Ecclesiastes If you are being polluted by bitterness, isn't it time for God's freshness? bIf anyone does not stumble in 1what he says, he is a cperfect man, able to dbridle the whole body as well. Ps.141:3,4 Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Philippians . Friberg -"(1) as being without uncertainty unwavering, unshakable (2) without making distinctions impartial, free from prejudice (God's wisdom does not treat one person a certain way and someone else another away.). If you don't believe this watch some of the current news shows (which really are no longer truly news), the popular fare on television or the box office hits. "The lips of the wise shall preserve them" (Proverbs 14:3). Communication courses are useful and homiletics helps, but no amount of discipline and training can quell the wayward tongue. let him shew out of the good behaviour his works in meekness of wisdom. 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. It belongs to this world. 9:10), the righteousness "which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phil. Obviously he is not saying we are demon possessed but the comparison is worth noting. Hiebert saysfull of mercy and good fruits is "the only double characteristic in the list, stands in direct contrast to "every vile deed" in James 3:16." If we have not walked out of the house "filled with the Spirit," then clearly our "vessel" is vulnerable and if"bumped" by adverse words or deeds, is far more likely to "spill" bitter water, so to speak. : Pass. Such a "wisdom" cannot be from God. Understanding (only here in NT)(1990)(epistemon from epistamai = to know thoroughly) means to be endued with expert knowledge, understanding, expertise, knowledgeable, well-instructed, skilled (especially one having the knowledge of an expert). Amen. 28:12; Dan. Wisdom, wrote Charles Spurgeon, is a beauty of life that can only be produced by Gods workmanship in us.. 8:63; 1 Ki. This is unfortunate, since his works contain priceless gems of information that are found nowhere except in the ancient writings of the Jews. With never a word left out, There is an English idiom "a world of trouble," which means "very much trouble." (James 3 Commentary), Robert Johnstone on full of good fruits-Heavenly wisdom is full of good fruits: it abounds with them; and hence, whenever it is present, you cannot fail to find them; or, if you do fail, the wisdom must be miserably stunted and blighted by the influence of worldliness. Philippians 1:15. That's why many nonbelievers do not take the gospel message seriously. "The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way" (Proverbs 14:8). Romans Pride prattles on and on. There's many a slip 'twixt cup and lip. (Pr 4:23+), Robert Johnstone -James probes here to the quick for the patients good. Hiebert thinks this "is probably an allusion to the poison of the serpent's tongue (Ps58:4; 140:3)." The other man lost both of his eyes. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. Society does the inventing and reinventing of words. It also means "being like," "correspondence"He who curses man turns against God Himself, who created man after His own similitude." Morse concluded by suggesting that rather than protesting the dictionarys treatment of words, We can choose our own words responsibly and protest the use of the word by those around us and by influential people in the media, the entertainment industry, and elsewhere. Thats good advice! 2 Peter 3:1. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Some people have a bumper-car mentality in their relationships with others. We have a tendency to solve our problems on our own. You feel that the interrogative mode of stating a supposition has a peculiar force in the discussion of morals, from its directness of appeal. And for men to reproach those who have not only the image of God in their natural faculties, but are renewed after the image of God by the grace of the gospel: this is a most shameful contradiction to all their pretensions of honouring the great Original. David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1Sam. So in this sentence James uses a first class conditional statement which assumes that some of his readers were harboring bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their heart. In a fit of temper, Moses called God's people rebels (Num. "He that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction" (Proverbs 13:3). This word includes the ideas ofgentle(free from harshness, sternness, or violence),forbearing(holding oneself back from especially with an effort; controlling oneself when provoked), yielding,equity(freedom from bias or favoritism),lenient(mild and tolerant disposition, exerting a soothing or easing influence), unassertive, fair, fitting, appropriate, suitable, proper. Amplified has "The tongue is so constituted in our members." "If thou art wise, thou art wise for thyself" (Proverbs 9:12). (James 2:15-16+) God's wisdom motivates us to build up rather than tear down. The bad behavior of Judah enhances the good behavior of Joseph (Gen. 38-39). In this context the moral character is clearly evil. MacArthur -James has already made clear that disorder does not characterize Gods people but rather the double-minded man, unstable [akatastatos] (James 1:8) and the unredeemed tongue, which is a restless [akatastatos] evil and full of deadly poison (James 3:8). After all is done, "yet ye have not.". Who is going to GIVE US VICTORY OVER TEMPTATION so that our growth is not stunted by sin. Branon. As we fill our hearts with God's Word, and yield to the Holy Spirit, He can use us to bring delight to others, and we will be refreshing fountains and trees. William Jenkyn, An evil speaker is his own scourge. (Today in the Word), Wisdom and knowledge are two elements of human life which, though immaterial, are real and determine the use of the material tongue. Without hypocrisy(It is sincere; free of pretense)(505)(anuopkritosfroma=without +hupokrinomai= to pretend fromhup= under, indicating secrecy +krino= to judge) is literally without play acting, without playing the part or without hypocrisy. only from You. For many of us, the problem started early. "There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise" (Proverbs 21:20). Its work can be so subtle that it sometimes escapes notice until the damage is done.". C. H. Spurgeon, Whatever moves the heart wags the tongue. Lord, my mouth sometimes speaks words that dont honor You. James 3:9. But toward the end of World War II, seven Italian prisoners of war, who were being held at a large camp nearby, were chosen to help decorate the churchs plain brick walls. If we are honest with ourselves, we must admit that much of our conversation is nothing more than empty talk. "An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips" (Proverbs 17:4). "The ear that hearkeneth to the reproof of life Shall abide among the wise" (Proverbs 15:31). Ephesians The tongue is like the bit in the mouth of a horse. Feelings of insignificance are rampant these days, even among Christians, and some do hurtful things to make themselves feel important. Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not,-. Paul then refers to those who profess to bewise, (Ro 1:22+), who have jettisoned the clear evidence (Ro 1:19-20+) of the natural revelation of God (mocking the truth of a Creator and substituting the theory of Evolution). He has the revelation of God's wisdom in Scripture and the teacher and interpreter of God's wisdom in the indwelling Holy Spirit. Counselors tell us to listen to each other. All rights reserved), The tongue can spread suspicion, Presented here is a verse by verse exposition of the New . John the Baptist used anothen to describe Jesus "He who comes from above (anothen) is above all, he who is of the earth is from the earth and speaks of the earth. Zodhiates amplifies and interpretatively paraphrases James' question "Who among you has the Spirit of Christ in all His perfection? The begs the question - Does my daily conduct demonstrate that I am living my life energized by heavenly wisdom or earthly wisdom? "A worthless witness mocketh at justice" (Proverbs 19:28). She had never heard about Jesus Christ, and when the teacher described the beautiful life of Jesus Christ, she thought she was describing the missionary. If he is a true believer, he will possess his Lord's own wisdom, and that wisdom will manifest itself in righteous, selfless, and peaceful living. "In James 3:11 the adjective was used literally of "salt" or bitter water; here the usage is figurative, to denote a bitter or harsh attitude." One of the tellers there was also a soloist in a church in downtown Nashville. 3:15 No uses in the Septuagint. The person who displays godly wisdom that is reasonable is willing to defer to others and is open to adoptsomeone else's position, belief or course of action when given sufficient reason and when so doing would not violate basic Biblical doctrines or moral principles. I threw the papers away in disgust, although I should have saved them for sermon illustrations! Adoniram Judsonwrote that " A life once spent is irrevocable. 1:14. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak Gods wisdom in a mystery (THIS SPEAKS OF THE GOSPEL - THE FIRST DIVINE "WISDOM" THAT ONE MUST RECEIVE BEFORE HE CAN RECEIVE FURTHER DIVINE WISDOM! McGee -When a man can sing like an angel on Sunday and then talk like a demon during the week -- you label him as you want to -- the Bible calls that man a hypocrite. James said that "no man can tame the tongue," but God can, and He offers help from several sources. The poet Matthew Arnold called it 'sweet reasonableness', and it is the ability to extend to others the kindly consideration we would wish to receive ourselves. One source of catastrophic destruction among believers in Christ, however, is not a mystery. He knows how to peddle his wickedness. Since everyone has an opinion on how something should be done, friction results. The tongue is contained in a cage of teeth and lips, but it still escapes. 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. (Experiencing God), With [our tongue] we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men. To leave the crowd impressed, (James 3- IVP Commentary), Hiebert on gentleness (meekness) -The meek man does not feel a need to contend for the recognition of his rights or acceptance of his personal views. James Comper, The Class and the Desk. "Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth " (Proverbs 3:19,20). We prefer to blame the world's problems on religious or political differences, but James says that the root problem is pride and self-centeredness. In other words "dichotomousdialogue" has absolutely no place in the life of a believer in Jesus Christ. Wuest The spring does not pour forth out of the same opening the sweet and the bitter [water], does it? ; Jas. Phillips But if your heart is full of rivalry and bitter jealousy, then do not boast of your wisdom - don't deny the truth that you must recognise in your inmost heart. (MacArthur New Testament Commentary James) (Bold added), Ron Blue ties James 3:13-18 with the section on the tongue James 3:1-12 -A key to right talk is right thought. But do Christians who praise the name of God the Father act differently from persons who refuse to praise his name? As members of Gods church, we need to be rivets without defect. 1. Burkitt is somewhat pithy, and for a modern rather rich and racy, but he is far from deep, and is frequently common-place. From strife and enmity; James 3 The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue; and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to do mischief. As we listen to His training, learn from our mistakes, and depend on His power, well grow and change. (Bible Exposition Commentary). Nelson's NKJV Study Biblehas an interesting note (but be a Berean Acts 17:11+) - Although human beings have lost much of Godlikeness, there is still enough in our make-up to hint at what we once were like and what we can become again through the work of Christ. In other words if you compromise the purity of wisdom in order to maintain the peace, this is not godly wisdom. Richard Sibbes, If we cannot be believed on our word, we are surely not to be trusted on our oath. YLT James 3:7 For every nature, both of beasts and of fowls, both of creeping things and things of the sea, is subdued, and hath been subdued, by the human nature. He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit. He is a living lie.". 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. (Php 4:8+). Would you turn hungry lions or angry snakes loose in your Sunday morning service? An individual is made pure through faith in Jesus Christ, and this establishes peace between God and himself Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.". As James continually emphasizes, the person who professes to be a Christian must prove it by his works, his daily living. Unbelievers lack the supernatural power to tame this vicious beast. 20:8; Jer. 2:26; Jas. What Do You Do with a Broken Relationship? On this day of Thanksgiving, pray to the God of all wisdom. The small church in Umbarger, Texas, was an unlikely place for an international work of art. It is "THE SUM TOTAL OF INIQUITY'' in that it: Barclay wrote "An uncontrolled tongue is like a world hostile to and ignorant of God. Every species isa generalization, for no one has ever trained a crocodile or a hippopotamus. He asked, Are these the best singers in your school? It is full of mercy and good deeds. Do not hold the faith: The glorious faith we have, the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, should never be associated with partiality (discrimination). The tongue that blessed the Father, and then turns around and curses men made in God's image, is in desperate need of spiritual medicine! The Lord will set a guard over my mouth; He will keep watch over the door of my lips (Ps. In addition, if we deceptively think we can do this in our own strength, we end up putting a burden on ourselves, in effect falling into the subtle trap of legalism. Such behavior is unthinkable to the wise Christian. It is secular, not spiritual. Wisdom is peaceable but that does not mean peace at any price. 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