Note for study: The Word of God is powerful and full bodied.
These are some thoughts on James Chapter 3.
The hope for all of us is that we hear from the Lord as we read
and integrate what we have learned into our lives.
This is by no means every explanation possible.
The word of God is alive and this is just what the Lord exposed to me.
Keep digging for more, the riches and richness of God’s treasure
is way beyond one person or any certain teaching.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that
we shall receive the greater condemnation. v 1
Here it is in the World English Bible:
Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers,
knowing that we will receive heavier judgment.
We should not teach unless we are called,
unless God really directs you to teach by His Holy Spirit.
For they who teach, unless they are teaching the truth,
will receive much more responsibility and condemnation if they teach awry.
For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word,
the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. v 2
One who can control his tongue exercises a form of self-control.
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty;
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Proverbs 16:32
The person who can control himself, or his tongue,
what he says is stronger that he who can rule a city.
Ruling yourself is harder than ruling others.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us;
and we turn about their whole body. v 3
Here again, ruling someone or something else is exhibited.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great,
and are driven of fierce winds,
yet are they turned about with a very small helm,
whithersoever the governor listeth. v 4
Now, we’re talking about the likeness of a helm to control the ship.
The small little device that directs the ship and we are the same.
Can we control our ship, ourselves?
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.
Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! v 5
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
Otherwise, it will cause much trouble for those who are affected,
whether they hear it first-hand
or the reverberations reach out further with bad fruit.
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15
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
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity:
so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. v 6
This goes hand in hand with these scriptures that we will all give account:
But I say unto you, That 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
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: v 7
Which gives you some hope, if the animals and vipers can be tamed,
but just then, before the thoughts can settle,
we see that it cannot happen without God:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. v8
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,
which are made after the similitude of God. v 9
Is there any hope to tame the tongue?
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.
My brethren, these things ought not so to be. v 10
A good man out of the good treasure of the heart
bringeth forth good things:
and an evil man out of the evil treasure
bringeth forth evil things. Matthew 12:35
We are able to do both, but should we? Choose the Lord.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said,
How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow Him:
but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.
1 Kings 18:21
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? v 11
These are all examples of what we should be,
of how we should conduct ourselves,
to keep us serving the Lord in word and deed.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?
so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. v 12
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness
and of thy praise all the day long. Psalm 25:38
What more can we hope for our tongue?
If we are busy praising God and saying wonderful things about our Creator,
maybe, just maybe, our words of cursing or flesh or evil we be far fewer.