1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.
15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
The True Meaning of James 3
The Book of James, written by the apostle James, the brother of Jesus, provides valuable insights into the Christian life. James delves into the power of the tongue and the importance of wisdom in our daily lives in this chapter. This passage reminds us of the profound impact our words can have on ourselves and those around us, which I find particularly relevant as a reverend. James cautions us against the dangers of an uncontrolled tongue, drawing parallels to the small but mighty rudder that guides a large ship. He emphasizes the need for wisdom, which can only be found through a close relationship with God, as opposed to the worldly wisdom that often leads to jealousy and selfish ambition.
The chapter also touches on the contrast between heavenly wisdom and earthly wisdom, echoing the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). James encourages his readers to seek the wisdom that comes from above, which is “pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). This wisdom, he assures us, will lead to a life of righteousness and peace.
James 3:1-5
The verses in James 3:1-5 break down into several key sections that shed light on the power of the tongue and the importance of controlling our words.
Verse 1 begins by focusing on teachers, stating, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” This verse emphasizes the weight of responsibility that comes with teaching others about God’s word. Teachers have the ability to shape and influence others through their words, and with this influence comes a heavy burden of accountability. The message here is that those who take on the role of teaching must do so with great care and humility, recognizing the impact their words can have on others.
Moving on to verse 2, James uses the analogy of a bit in a horse’s mouth and a ship’s rudder to illustrate the power of the tongue. He says, “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.” Just as a small bit can control the direction of a powerful horse, and a tiny rudder can steer a large ship, our tongues have the power to guide the course of our lives. This serves as a reminder of the importance of taming our tongues and being mindful of the words we speak, as they have the ability to either build up or tear down.
Verse 3-5 further emphasize the significance of the tongue, comparing it to a small spark that can set a forest on fire. James warns, “Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. A small spark can set a great forest on fire. 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.” These vivid images convey the immense power of our words and the potential for destruction if we do not control them. Just as a spark can quickly ignite a massive blaze, our tongues can unleash chaos and harm if not used wisely.
These verses from James 3 offer a timeless message about the importance of guarding our tongues and being intentional with our speech. Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of the impact of words, both positive and negative. Proverbs 18:21 states, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” This echoes the sentiment expressed in James, highlighting the influence our words have on ourselves and those around us. Additionally, in Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus warns that “everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” These verses serve as a sobering reminder of the significance of our words and the importance of using them wisely to honor God and build up others.
James 3:6-12
The scripture in James 3:6-12 reads, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.” 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. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.”
The key message in this passage from James is the powerful impact of the words we speak. It likens the tongue to a fire that can set a whole forest ablaze. This imagery vividly portrays the destructive potential of our tongues, as words have the ability to ignite conflicts, damage relationships, and wreak havoc in our lives. The passage emphasizes the importance of controlling our tongues, warning against the dual nature of using it to both bless God and curse others.
The passage further explores the paradox in mankind’s ability to tame all kinds of animals, yet being unable to control their own tongues. This highlights the human struggle with self-control and the tendency to let our words run wild, causing harm and chaos. The comparison drawn here serves as a stark reminder of the need for discipline and mindfulness in our speech.
The mention of blessing God while simultaneously cursing fellow human beings reflects the hypocrisy and inconsistency that can exist in our communication. It calls for introspection and self-awareness in how we use our words, urging believers to align their speech with the values they profess. This inconsistency raises a red flag regarding the authenticity of one’s faith, as true faith is expected to manifest in all aspects of a believer’s life, including their words and actions.
The passage concludes with the analogy of a spring producing both fresh and bitter water, and a fig tree bearing incongruous fruits. This serves as a metaphor for the impossibility of sustaining a double-minded or deceitful way of speaking. It underscores the principle that our words reveal the true condition of our hearts, highlighting the importance of cultivating a consistent and righteous speech in accordance with God’s will. This passage aligns with the teachings of Jesus on the significance of our words in the broader context of the Bible. Jesus says in Matthew 12:34-35, “For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” This connection emphasizes the intrinsic link between our words and the condition of our hearts, reinforcing the message of James regarding the critical importance of guarding our speech.
James 3:13-18
The passage in James 3:13-18 can be broken down into two distinct sections.
Starting with verse 13, James poses a rhetorical question, asking who among the readers is wise and understanding. Wisdom in this context encompasses both knowledge and the proper application of that knowledge. It is not merely about intellectual prowess but also about living out the truth one knows. James challenges the recipients to demonstrate their wisdom through good conduct, humility, and meekness, which should be evident in their daily interactions and decision-making processes. Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.””
Moving on to verses 14-17, James delves deeper into the characteristics of true wisdom by contrasting earthly, unspiritual wisdom with wisdom from above. Earthly wisdom is often marked by selfish ambition, envy, and boasting – characteristics that are counterproductive to the community and cause disorder and every evil practice. On the other hand, wisdom from above is described as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. These traits reflect the nature of God Himself and are in line with the teachings of Jesus, who exemplified humility and sacrificial love during His time on earth. James concludes by illustrating the contrasting outcomes of living by these two types of wisdom in verse 18. Those who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness. This echoes the biblical principle of reaping what one sows, as mentioned in Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Choosing to follow godly wisdom leads to righteousness and peace, both individually and communally, while indulging in earthly wisdom results in chaos and discord. James 3:13-18 emphasizes the importance of wisdom in the life of a believer and provides a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. It challenges readers to evaluate the source and manifestation of their wisdom and encourages them to strive for the wisdom that comes from above, rooted in a reverence for God and expressed through humility, service, and love towards others.
After James 3
We learned about the power of the tongue and the importance of controlling our words in this chapter. Our words have the ability to build others up or tear them down, to bring blessings or curses. Let us remember to speak with wisdom and kindness, using our words to spread love and encouragement. Let us strive to be mindful of the impact of our words on those around us. Let us always seek to cultivate a spirit of gentleness and humility in our speech, always seeking to bring glory to God through our words and actions. May we be guided by the wisdom of the Holy Spirit as we continue our journey of faith in the chapters to come.
Reverend Ogunlade is a seasoned Church Minister with over three decades of experience in guiding and nurturing congregations. With profound wisdom and a serene approach, Reverend Ogunlade has carried out various pastoral duties, including delivering uplifting sermons, conducting religious ceremonies, and offering sage counsel to individuals seeking spiritual guidance. Their commitment to fostering harmony and righteousness within their community is exemplified through their compassionate nature, making them a beloved and trusted figure among the congregation.