You must be born again in order to bless in those circumstances and situations in which you formerly would curse. Those who make peace had been declared by the Lord to be blessed, the sons of God. In other words, we are to sing a duet, the tongue and the heart are to be in tune. Kakos then speaks of lack of goodness, of a bad nature. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. Let my words bless You and others. The evidence of false wisdom in control (James 3:1416) "So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off" (Proverbs 24:14). NIV James 3:12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man" (Matt. without partiality and without hypocrisy. That is true, and it had already been said in the declaration that heavenly wisdom is first pure, then peaceable. In the Epistle of James this adjective means bitter in the metaphoric passage describing the unruly tongue (James 3:11) and in the subsequent passage about true wisdom (James 3:14). Disorder (contusion, tumult)(181)(akatastasiafromakatastatos[adjective]in turn froma= negative +kathistemi= set in order) means literally without order or stability and thus has a basic meaning of instability = an unsettled state of affairs, an upheaval, a state of violent group disturbance, a tumult, or unrest, especially in a political or social setting (riots, revolutions). 141:3). It also means "being like," "correspondence"He who curses man turns against God Himself, who created man after His own similitude." Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! A joyous word may light the day. 1:26; Jas. (Ibid), MacArthur -The wisdom that is of the world, that is based on man's own understanding, standards, and objectives, is false and ungodly. "Incline thine ear unto wisdom" (Proverbs 2:2). Sometimes we, ourselves, do not know what made us say such things. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. . It pervades philosophy, education, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, and every other dimension and aspect of contemporary human life. BBE James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true. (cf John 8:44). Give us the gracious speech of love, "The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom" (Proverbs 10:31). Luke Scientists have determined that faulty rivets may have caused the rapid sinking of the unsinkable HMSTitanic. Amplified For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea animal, can be tamed and has been tamed by human genius (nature). BBE James 3:11 Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? David and his men were hiding from Saul in a cave when Saul entered (1Sam. James A Visit to the Harvest Field February 4, 2018 A Visit to the Harvest Field "Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Faithful: Well, he seems to be a very pretty man. The first of these was James the son of *Zebedee. "The man that heareth shall speak so as to endure" (Proverbs 21:28). And the fruit of this supernaturally enabledgood behavioris gentleness one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:23+), which further supports the premise that theonly way to daily obey the command to "let him show"is by daily dependence on the Spirit. 5:29; Matt. One writer has "claiming to be wise when in truth one is foolish" and another"your profession therefore is a lie." GWN James 3:8 Yet, no one can tame the tongue. I have been in his family, and have observed him both at home and abroad; and I know what I say of him is the truth. Psuchikos pertains to life in the natural world asgoverned by sensual (fleshly)appetites and lived apart from the Spirit of God. Here it would refer to the disorder caused by those who withtheir false wisdom trouble the group of believers by demanding their own rights and exercising a party spirit. He asked God for wisdom, and God supernaturally answered his prayer and gave him so much that he was famous for it. 10:1), and it is a requirement for elders in the local church (1 Ti3:3). Actually he misused Scripture." (James Scudder - Living Water). James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. (Ibid), POSB -It is contrary to the nature of believers to have an untamed tongue. 3:17). Richard Fuller, No man is really wise unless he lives in the will and for the glory of God. Why can't we all be like that wise old bird? Sophosdescribes the ability to use knowledge for correct behavior (1Co 6:5). 2:35; 1 Ki. All rights reserved). They apply heavenly counsel to earthly conduct." NLT James 3:16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. Reprinted by permission. The idea seems to be thatthe tongue's evil effects can extend beyond the individual to affect everything in a person's sphere ("wheel") of influence. (THE ANSWER = ) Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. Jas. Frederick W. Faber, The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. So, "under God" there is equalitybut only under God. 3:6; Jas. (a) In Christian thought, eleos means mercy for those who are in trouble, even if the trouble is their own fault. 111:10). He has just portrayed how destructive a fire can be, spreading rapidly, destroying everything in its path. It is that temper of spirit which at all times says, "Yes, Lord, Thou knowest best." They have venom like the venom of a serpent; Like a deaf cobra that stops up its ear." 141:3). "A man shall be commended according to his wisdom" (Proverbs 12:8). "), Matt. Then it is peaceful, gentle, obedient, filled with mercy and good deeds, impartial, and sincere. That's one little animal which no zoo has in captivity, no circus can make it perform, no man can tame it. Of course James may also be speaking to some individual whoprofessed belief, but they would not be able to carry out this command (evidence that they were "professors" and not "possessors" of Christ). (James 3 Commentary). Richard Sibbes, If we cannot be believed on our word, we are surely not to be trusted on our oath. Louw-Nida - "to produce something new, with the implication of using materials already in existence.". 1:13; Deut. But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3 men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. No man can tame the tongue, he wrote. D. Martyn Lloyd Jones, Wisdom opens the eyes both to the glories of heaven and to the hollowness of earth. Hiebert explains "The present tense pictures human nature's domination of animal nature as a fact repeatedly being observed. And one who is filled with this spiritual wisdom is enabled to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." WHEN THE FIRE GOES OUT - (Read Pr 26:17-28, 26:20) - When a fire finishes burning through the material it feeds on, it goes out. People corrupted by worldly desires for beauty, wealth, and power can bring down great churches, but people who are pure and undefiled (1:27) hold churches together. NIV James 3:16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. So well not bring on You disgrace. His love can make the most difficult nature into a miracle of astonishing beauty. And according to James, this is the wisdom that enables us to avoid the pitfall of jealousy. Overhearing his reply (which praised the other), a friend approached him afterwards and said, "General, do you know that the man of whom you spoke is one of your bitterest enemies and misses no opportunity to malign you?" So as the tree--the cross of Christ--becomes real in our lives, as we trust in the Lord Jesus and walk in faith with Him, the bitter waters of Marah will become sweet, and our tongues instead of producing evil will be a blessing to all about us. (1 Pe 3:16+) Notice that the "good behavior" Peter describes is "in Christ," in His pattern, in His power, ultimately enabled by His Spirit, for there is no other way to carry out good behavior except to "walk by the Spirit" (Gal 5:16+). actions harmonize with his speech. And the lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, My friend, if He has touched you, He has touched your mouth also. Those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart. 4:2+; Col. 3:12+; 2 Tim. (LAC), NOTE -The typical weekday Amidah actually consists of nineteen blessings, though it originally had eighteen (hence the alternative nameShemoneh Esreh, meaning "Eighteen"). Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. NRS James 3:7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species. ByDave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. "The lips of knowledge are a precious jewel" (Proverbs 20:15). "The rod and reproof give wisdom" (Proverbs 29:15). A cruel word may wreck a life. working in lives that will PRODUCE DEEDS THAT MANIFEST A LIVING FAITH. 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. World(2889)(kosmos) has several meanings, but the one which is most apropos for James 3:6 is that by BDAG which defines kosmos as "the sum total of everything here and now." In the New Testament it occurs only twice, both times in reference to holes or openings in the ground. Jealousy -The very nature of jealousy is to turn on those who harbor it; and it will ultimately destroy them. "There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword" (Proverbs 12:18). Wisdom is knowing when to speak your mind and when to mind your speech. It is a "FIRE." It is full of mercy and good deeds. We either exhibit the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21+) or display the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. "Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause" (Proverbs 24:28). James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. Its virtually impossible to seethe with anger without expressing our rage in words. All rights reserved). THOUGHT - So think of your heart as a fountain and examine your own heart by examining what comes out of your mouth. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. (Pr 26:20) So if there is no"wood" (no gossip, put downs, derogatory statements, etc, made by others in your hearing), the tongue is not set on fire! (Expositor's Bible Commentary, 1976), Swindoll on very world of iniquity -What harsh words! Moses records For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. The person wants the Lord to be glorified. 2 Timothy Reprinted by permission. Its plans and procedure have all reference to self and to this world of the senses, though the subjects it discusses may belong to the invisible world, the world known to faith. For when we feel offended or unjustly criticized, the Spirit will remind us of God's love and keep us from reacting. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. D C Egner(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 2:14. Of course not! - Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition are inspired by the devil. And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door (IS NOT SIN THE DRIVING FORCE OF ANGRY WORDS THAT COME FLYING OUT OF OUR MOUTH); and its desire is for you (LIKE A WILD ENEMY READY TO POUNCE), but you must master it. It leads the envious person to do and say things that are mean-spirited and contrary to the Spirit of the Lord Jesus. Earthly ("earth-bound" - NEB)(1919)(epigeios from epi = upon + ge = the earth) means of or belonging to the earth as distinguished from heaven. - Persian saying. One incendiary remark can kindle an inferno of emotional harm. MacArthur -Hell is Satan's place, prepared for him and his demons (Matt. Wuest for where jealousy and contentiousness are, there, in that place, are restlessness and instability and every base deed. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: the same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. In casting into the temple treasury the two mites that came out of deep poverty and deep love, the widow was far more full of good fruits than the rich men who cast in many times the sum with no self-sacrifice and little true love. James 4:2. 10:28; Matt. Here before our eyes was a striking illustration of James 3:7: "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." Ron Mehl who is a pastor in Portland, Oregon has written a great little book called Right With God. Our role as Christians is vastly different from the ancient Greek actors. Our motive for seeking wisdom or for using wisdom must always be to glorify God and to build up the person to whom we are speaking. Deep in the jungles of India, a serious threat looms over the native missionaries and their people as they lay asleep in their thatched huts. It is interesting that wisdom and understanding are a lot like faith which James described in James 2:14-26, because all three are basically invisible inner qualities which show themselves or prove themselves in one's actions or behavior. It is merciful and without hypocrisy (Jas. James 3:17. Would you turn hungry lions or angry snakes loose in your Sunday morning service? Promote health with wise words (Proverbs 12:18). It is unstable, elusive, restless! Our own words may not have caused wars or wrecked cities, but they can break hearts and ruin reputations. It gives a picture of our basic human nature, made in God's image but fallen into sin. 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