Casul Christianity - Watch Your Language - James 3 - November 22, 2009

Bible Study – Casual Christianity – Watch Your Language – November 22, 2009

This is study four (4) in our series on “Casual Christianity.”

Our scripture is James 3:1-18.

James was touching on areas in the lives of his readers then and now that are important for Christians. They are the areas which can give believers a way to measure their spiritual growth and maturity.

Our last study was about prejudice and favoritism and this study is about the tongue. Our last study ended discussing the law of freedom versus the law of transgression. Mercy triumphs over the law of judgment. When believers show mercy then they are extended mercy. Believers have the choice whether or not to show prejudice and favoritism.

It is like forgiveness. The model prayer of JESUS is recorded in Matthew 6:12 and 14-15. JESUS gives us a teaching regarding the quid pro quo of forgiveness:

12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

14 “For if you forgive people their wrongdoing,[9] Or trespasses your heavenly Father will forgive you as well. 15 But if you don’t forgive people,[10] Other mss add their wrongdoing your Father will not forgive your wrongdoing.[11] Or trespasses

James said the same spiritual principle applies regarding prejudice, favoritism and the tongue. Let’s explore.

Let’s read James 3:1-6:

Controlling the Tongue
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment; 2 for we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says,[1] Lit in word he is a mature man who is also able to control his whole body.[2] Lit to bridle the whole body 3 Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.[3] Lit whole body 4 And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. ; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by • hell.

James begins by addressing teachers. We as teachers are and will be held to a higher standard by GOD because we teach truth, therefore we have no excuse. But James contiues with the words that "we all stumble in many ways." Teachers, pastors and fellow believers all stumble. That is why we have to confess, repent and GOD forgives and restores.

How do we know when we are making spiritual progress? When we control our tongue!


Believers have a choice to show favoritism or not. If they do show favoritism they sin and are accountable. The same is with the use of their tongues or speech. Believers can both control their tongues and show their spiritual maturity but if they choose not to, they suffer the consequences.

James used two (2) examples where a small thing controls a large thing and a small uncontrolled thing can result in major damage. For example a small bit controls a big powerful horse, a rudder controls a large ship and a small fire can ignite a large forest fire and destroy the forest.

Our tongue is a small part of our body but if it is not used wisely and controlled it can cause a world of trouble.

Let’s read James 3:7-12:
7 For every creature—animal or bird, reptile or fish—is tamed and has been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our[4] Or bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.

James again used examples to drive home the attributes of human nature. We pride ourselves with our ability to tame dangerous wild animals and reptiles but we cannot tame our tongue. Just as wild animals are dangerous and a reptile is poisonous so is the tongue. He seems to be relating the caution and care a person takes in taming an animal, reptile or fish to the necessity of a believer using the same caution and care to tame his/her tongue.

James says "no man can control his tongue." Why? Because it takes it is a matter oif the heart and who rules the heart - self or the SPIRIT. Control of the tongue comes from a heart that is controlled by GOD. Even allowing GOD to fully control our heart is a process of yielding our will to HIM. How do know we are making progress? When we control our tongue. It is all about our inner person being molded into the image of JESUS.

He challenges his readers to consider the spiritual aspects of the use their tongues. Believers can use them to praise GOD or curse their fellow human beings. We can use our tongue to bless or curse.

Then he challenges his readers to consider their hearts and actions in everyday life to their relation with GOD by asking:

Can a water source produce both sweet and bitter water?
Can a fig tree produce olives?
Can a grapevine produce figs?
Can a saltwater source produce fresh water?
Of course the answer to all the questions is a resounding NO!

These questions shine the spiritual light deeply into every believer’s heart. When we do not control our tongue, it brings into question our relationship to GOD. Is HE in control of our lives? What fruit is being produced in our lives? Is CHRIST the living water that springs eternal in our lives? Is HE our source and do we allow the HOLY SPIRIT to lead, guide and control our lives? A fit of hurtful words can result in a lifetime of hurt. This is not to say there are times when stern words of truth should not be spoken but speak with words resulting from heavenly wisdom. These heavenly stern words of wisdom come from a true relationship with our LORD.

Let’s read James 3:13-18:

The Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t brag and lie in defiance of the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In essence, James was telling his readers how to identify fellow believers who were maturing in the LORD and allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to guide their lives. The simple instructions were to observe whose talk matches their walk. By the same measure, believers can evaluate their own spiritual growth and maturity by comparing their talk, under all circumstances, with their walk. Are they consistent or do they talk one way when they are around their Christian friends and another when they are away from them? Even more important, what is our thought life like and how does it compare to our talk and our walk? I shake my head as I write this because there is so much work yet to be done in my life.

The Greek word used for gentleness is the word used for meekness. Many Christians do not like to think of themselves as being meek. They think of meekness as weakness. I used to cringe at the word meek or meekness until I read a commentary that helped me understand meekness. Meekness was compared to a powerful horse or charger that was under the control of its master. The horse/charger had great power but which was kept under the control of its master until it was needed for the purpose determined by its master. The key is who is the master of our lives – the flesh/self or GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT?

James addressed the attitude and heart of believers toward others when they choose to show favoritism or when they do not tame their tongues. It is all about the heart, the inner person. It is the core of the believer that must be renewed through the rebirth and the process of sanctification. Believers can measure their spiritual growth and maturity as they observe the consistency between their actions and words, outwardly in various circumstances and inwardly through their thought life. JESUS tells us that GOD holds us accountable for keeping the intent or spirit of the law as well as the letter of the law. GOD also grants HIS children grace but HIS desire is for all believers to be made into the image of HIS SON, JESUS.

This is tough and in fact impossible without focusing on your relationship with CHRIST. Focus on the relationship and allow HIM to work on the areas in your life that will produce in you the natural, genuine and true consistency that comes only from HIM through you. I can tell you I have a long way to go but the good news is HE is still working on me.

James continued to probe the heart of believers by dealing with their attitude and human nature (flesh) versus their attitude and nature coming from their relationship with GOD through CHRIST (SPIRIT led). GOD’S desire for HIS children is for them to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT.

James states there are two (2) kinds of wisdom – earthly and heavenly.

Earthly wisdom does not have heaven as its source. Notice that earthly wisdom has a descending hierarchy that ends in its true source, Satan:
- Earthly
- Sensual
- Demonic

Earthly wisdom produces bitter envy and selfish ambition and the results are disorder and every kind of evil. This is the fruit of earthly wisdom. Satan’s goal is to enslave and destroy. GOD’S goal is to deliver from the bondage of sin and death through salvation provided by faith in JESUS and to encourage HIS children to grow to full maturity in HIM.

But HE never takes away HIS children’s right to choose.

Heavenly wisdom is from GOD and is first pure (meaning Holy), then peace-loving, gentle, compliant (will not be contrary to HIS Word), full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy.

When heavenly fruit is produced by each believer, it has seeds of righteousness which in turn produces the fruit of righteousness as James stated in verse 18:

18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

The fruit of righteousness is produced in the hearts of those who seek and implement wisdom from GOD. In turn, others benefit from the example set by those who implement and exhibit wisdom from GOD. Believers sow seeds as they obediently serve our LORD.

Earthly wisdom leads to destruction and Godly wisdom leads to righteousness. It is all about our hearts. Are they sanctified and led by the HOLY SPIRIT or they led by the flesh?

As mentioned in an earlier study, James is all about being a mature Christian. Being a mature Christian is all about relationship and knowing JESUS. It is dispelling all of our false notions about CHRIST and embracing truth and not what we want to be truth. Through our relationship with CHRIST, the HOLY SPIRIT will lead us to know and understand truth and will give us both the power and opportunity to obediently serve our LORD.
Allow GOD through the HOLY SPIRIT to bring about natural spiritual growth and maturity in your lives. HE does not sprinkle us with Holy Dust to zap us into instant maturity. Talk to HIM in prayer and ask HIM to help you to become all you are capable of becoming. It takes time because it is like growing from childhood to an adult. There are some things that cannot be fully comprehended or understood until you have experienced certain things in life. We all look back and say “only if I knew then what I know now.” Look at what it took for us to know now; it was about living and learning. It is an awesome journey when GOD is your teacher as you obediently serve HIM