Download the UBF brochure here
Weekly Message | February 15th, 2009
Passage: James 3:1-18
Key Verse(s): 17,18
The book of James is about Christian practices. The purpose is not merely to teach standards and norms of Christian life. It is to lead people deeper into the fellowship with Christ. For example, the wisdom that comes from heaven directs our attention to Christ, the source of all good and perfect gift. In this chapter James starts with the leaders (teachers) and then all Christians. He also speaks about the external behaviors and then go deeper with our internal life—holy life.
First, do not presume but to aspire to be teachers (1). Look at verse 1: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” James address to those leaders who teach others. At a first glance it sounds as if he really discourages anyone to be a teacher. What is his message? (1) Don’t dare to be teachers. (2) Here is why: They are judged more severely.
However, the point is rather positive. The Bible is the Word of God. All the Scriptures contain life-giving truths. Either stated in negative or positive, the truths that God gives us are all positive. Keep this in mind, let us observe this passage.
Here, James emphasizes the awesome responsibility in view of wonderful opportunities and privileges of being teachers. Our Lord Jesus is first and foremost Teacher. Even ordinary people called him Rabbi (Teacher). Jesus taught the Word of God from the very beginning of his ministry. Jesus completed his mission by teaching the truths with his death on the cross. Even after his resurrection, he spent another 40 days to teach the kingdom of God. Jesus taught the Bible in season and out of season. He taught the Bible to those who are willing. He also taught the Bible who are unwilling as well. As a disciple of Jesus, we learn if at all possible from Jesus. If so, we must learn from teaching aspects of Jesus. As a disciple, aspire to be teachers of God’s truth. In doing so, we move away from the seats of spectators to the position of participants in the kingdom of God. For Christ and his kingdom aspire to be Bible teachers!
Think about how we all have become Christians. It is because of Bible teachers who have instructed us in prayer and much labor of love. Is there anyone who dares to say, “I am what I am because I taught myself”? We are what we are by the teaching of God’s truth of teachers among us.
My first Bible teacher is a sophomore student during my freshman in college. He was faithful, humble, and sacrificial. His life opened my heart to know Jesus. Since then, I remember him because he led me to Christ Jesus. From my sophomore years I also tried to practice teaching the Bible with his good influence.
Teachers make tremendous impact on students for life. Even so, teachers should be careful. Here, “presume” refers to careless attitude.
Look at verse 1: “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Teachers have higher standards than students. Teaching is not easy but it is important. As Christians, we are first taught. Soon we must grow up to be perfect men and women. How? It is through practice of teaching.
Look at verse 2: “If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.” Teaching is primarily by words. At the same time, the impact of words is about what kind of person one is. Do not be at fault in what you say. Rather, as teachers aspire to be perfect in what you say. This is the point of James.
Second, know the power of your tongue and control it (3-11). In this section James speaks about the power of our tongue. He states all in negative fashion and yet the truth he conveys is life-giving. Verses 3-6 are about the destructive power of the tongue. Verses 7-8 are about the enormous difficulty of controlling the tongue. Verses 9-11 are about the bad practices with our tongue. Now, let’s consider how these negative statements present powerful positive truths.
Look at verse 3: When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.” A bit is a piece of metal that is placed in the mouth of a horse and allows a rider to control the animal. It is held on a horse's head by means of a bridle and has reins attached for use by a rider. Its function is similar to how the large ships are steered by a very small rudder that the pilot controls. It is like a handle that steers the car. What is the point? Our tongue steers the whole person. Whatever is spoken with our tongue is what directs our life and ultimately our destiny,
Look at verses 5-6: “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. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” The tongue has a powerful impact—destructive power. Small fire destroys the wild forest. Consider annual fires in the state of California (e.g., July 2008). The tongue is small but it has power to destroy corrupt and destroy the whole person. It may set the whole course of his life on fire—even toward the fire in hell.
Look at verse 7: “All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Although animals can be tamed, the tongue cannot be. Everyone has problems to control the tongue.
Look at verses 9 and 10: “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. “ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth we praise and curse. These are our common practices.
Look at verses 11-12: “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. ” James states that that tongue should not be a source of both praises and curses of this life.
In summary, this is what James says. Our tongue is real trouble-maker. It is hard to control. It may corrupt and destroy our lives. Then, what do we do about it? First of all, know the destructive power of our tongue and be careful. Second, do not take others’ destructive words too seriously. We are all at fault. Therefore, we all make mistakes with our words. Is it possible for a teenager say after little argument with her parents, “I hate you!!” without even remembering that it is Valentine Day. Is there a need to agonize over this? While we may not take so personally about destructive words that others speak, we take careful measures to speak to build up others instead of tearing them down. If tongue is a destructive force, it is also a very powerful constructive force. How encouraging it is to hear generous words of invitation, warm words of appreciation and kinds words of motivation. Know the constructive power of words that can build up.
Second, find your own refuge where you can speak freely—for whatever you need to speak. In this world all people have their ways of refuge. Why do people go to bars that are usually dark and noisy. It provides a refuge. You don’t have to dress up. You can drink, say whatever you like and have some fun. This life under stress we all need a place to hide sometime. But the quality of life is what kind of refuge we take. God is our refuge. To God we can speak whatever we think of. Even very vengeful and angry thoughts we may express in our journal and in our prayers. Our dear friends are our refuge. Most of all, we all needs our friends that can hear us in the very frustrating moments. Having healthy ways of relieving stresses and pressures in life is important—physical exercises, safe haven (conversations), rest and hobbies. Good friends listen to you when you are under tremendous stress.
However, whatever is inside of us will become obvious outside. Watch, nurture and control your heart or your inner condition. Therefore, control our tongue is not about communication matter. It is our heart matter. It must go deeper.
Third, show your good life by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (13-16). Look at verse 13: “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.“ The mark of the wise and understanding is deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. What is good life? Does someone say to you, “You have good life?” Can you say to yourself, “I have good life?” In this time of troubled economy, a stable environment with safe and loving environment, that might be a basis of good life. A good life is not merely about words. A good life displays deeds done in humility that comes from wisdom.
Here, James defines what a good life is. First, a good life does not harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition? Look at verses 14 and 15: “ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil” Do not compare yourself with others. Live your life. Each time we hear about others’ accomplishment and successes, we may feel little envious at the moment. But we don’t have to dwell on it. Rather, focus on your living. This is by the grace of God! Refuse to become a victim with envy and bitterness in your soul.
Second, a good life is full of wisdom that comes from heaven. Look at verse 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.” The list of wisdom is similar to what Paul says about the fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” The first five elements of wisdom according to James are, “pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy”. On the other hand, Paul’s top five of the fruit of the Holy Spirit are, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness”. James’ last three elements are, “good fruit, impartial and sincere”. Notice Paul’s last four elements are, “goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control”. As we see all these together in totality, both are quite similar. Again, let’s read this: “The wisdom from heaven is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit,”. This is about holiness of God. The wisdom from God is holy toward God (pure, submissive), love toward one’s neighbor (peace-loving, full of mercy and considerate) and committed to self discipline (impartial and sincere). This good life is open and committed toward God, our neighbor and ourselves. In this sense, a good life is about God, about our neighbors and about us. Knowing and practicing this is wisdom. This wisdom is from heaven.
Look at verse 18: “Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness”. This sounds quite similar to what we read in Hebrews 12:11, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” A good life is life with God’s discipline. A good life is to sow in peace. It is the life that blesses others. It is the life that reaps a harvest of righteousness. Ultimately, this is about how we should live.
A good life is according to what we sow. A good life is a life that is close to God. A good life is a life that is close to one’s neighbor. This life involves our regular walk with God in studies, worship and fellowship. This life includes our labor of love for our neighbors. This life contains our self-disciplines. This life is in discipline of holiness. This should not stop.
In Galatians 6:7-9 we find how we should live in this world: “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” This life might make us feel weary sometimes. This is a happy life. This is a blessed life. This is what God recommends each of us. Whether we like or not, we have two options—a good life that God blesses or a wretched life that we will certainly regret. This good life is what we choose we put our faith in Jesus Christ.
Our Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, invites us to this good life. Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”(John 10:10-11). This life is Christ Jesus calls us for. This life does not stop. This life continues as we walk with God. The book of James is the roadmap of this good life. The wisdom from heaven is to pursue this good and rich life by the grace of God.
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
