In short, the tongue is capable of disrupting everything! Righteousness of God could be succinctly stated as all that God is, all that He commands, all that He demands, all that He approves, all that He provides through Christ. Many commentaries are also available in Parallel Format via the commentary tab. "The answer of the tongue is from Jehovah" (Proverbs 16:1). Christian: Deceived! Thus, we find the church being run, evangelism being done, counsel being offered by wisdom from the world. Conversely, we must not undervalue the damage harsh words bring. John Calvin, The only way to know is to will to do Gods will. No earth-born eye can catch a glimpse of God. (BDAG)Pragmamay denote a deed or event that has occurred with no indication of its moral quality. 3:17. He has the wits of a withering world. All the marks which we put upon it, it will exhibit forever Each day will not only be a witness of our conduct, but will affect our everlasting destiny (Note: Not in loss of salvation but of rewards - cp1Co 3:11,12,13,14,15,Jn 15:5,2Co 5:10+, cp1Ti 4:7,8+). We can make sure we are in the Spirit's control by incorporating Scripture into our life and by asking the Spirit to direct our thoughts and actions each day. By such moral convictions, and feelings, and conduct, a man is proved to be wise with that heavenly wisdom which consists in a true, vital, energetic apprehension of his relations to God, of the chief end of man, of duty and happiness." If we attempt to accomplish this relying on our own natural strength, we are guaranteed to experience futility and failure("Why doesn't my Christian life work the way it should?"). The important thing, of course, is the heart; for it is "out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaketh" (Matt. or a vine figs? Actions dont always speak louder than wordsyour tongue can undo everything you do. This tiny appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the horse and is used to give it direction. (Read Romans 12:3-8) Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. 141:3). : Pass. KJV James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament), MacArthur explains that "Those whose lives are based on and motivated by human, ungodly wisdom are inevitably self-centered, living in a world in which their own personal ideas, desires, and standards are the measure of everything. "The sweetness of the lips increaseth learning" (Proverbs 16:21). Wuest says "The tongue is so constituted in our members.". 20:10), and, for so doing, God kept him out of the Promised Land. 3:17; 1 Pet. Who among you has no will of his own, but has made God's will his very own? He simply won't stop!" Reprinted by permission. (Sermon), But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man.Matthew 15:18, The Bible stresses that what you say is an accurate indicator of what is in your heart. Here the basis for that disorderly conduct of the tongue is its "evil" nature. James uses the antonym of spilosdescribing"Pure and undefiled religion" as he who keeps (enabled by the Holy Spirit)"oneself unstained (aspilos) by the (unholy)world." Itnever hurt anyone else. But somehow, this tamed cougar, leopard or wolf suddenly reverted back to an old instinctto lash out, to maim, to kill. Moo says thatearthlysuggests a perspective that fails to consider Gods realm and will (Pillar NT Commentary-James), Hiebert says "As "earthly" it springs out of and is limited to the frail and finite life of unregenerated humanity and associated with its turbulent affairs.". The court added, "But if those words or language are only used behind their backs and only between a few friends it would not be a misconduct. Hiebert -In James 1:8, James used the adjective (akatastatos) to describe the impact of double-mindedness upon the individual, and in James 3:8 it is descriptive of the uncontrolled tongue. ByHerbert Vander Lugt (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Dikaiosuneis rightness of character before God and rightness of actions before men. "Wisdom shall enter into thy heart To deliver thee from the way of evil To deliver thee from the strange woman (Proverbs 2:10-16). Torah is God's guidance for God's . GNT James 3:12 , , ; . Were either growing sweeter and wiser as the days go by, or were growing into foolish or even sour-faced curmudgeons. "In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression" (Proverbs 10:19). If we have not walked out of the house "filled with the Spirit," then clearly our "vessel" is vulnerable and if"bumped" by adverse words or deeds, is far more likely to "spill" bitter water, so to speak. ")., and in the statement in the second chapter of the same epistle, that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God (1 Cor 2:14+). But there were warning signs posted all over the park: DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CAR! GNT James 3:8 , , . All rights reserved), SOME TALK ABOUT TALK It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 3:8). It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. C. T. Studd, The heart is the metal of the bell, the tongue but the clapper. No wonder James called the tongue "an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). These things ought not to be so., If a siren blares from our mouth when we open it, we need to examine our heart and ask the Lord to forgive us and to help us be a blessing to others. "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). Stephen Charnock, Wisdom must be from God, because it can be found only in relation to him. Are you letting it shine? On the healthy tree every branch is laden with the fruits of mercy. Envy and bitterness hurts you as well as others.Do you rejoice when others succeed or do you have a secret envy, bitterness, and criticalness in your heart? (1 Cor 2:16+)So if you say you are wise and understanding, let's see it in your actions and attitude. Spurgeon left this earth for his heavenly hope in 1892. The Old Testament tells the story of another case of peer pressure. It is like an enemy that cannot be contained by military force. (1Co 3:3). If the flesh is reigning, then out comes bitter water. (James 3 Commentary). It happens when Christians utter words that fall short of the standard God expects. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). "The lips of the righteous feed many" (Proverbs 10:21). Amazingly, God compares a seemingly harmless member of the human body to a ferocious beast like the Bengal: the tongue. Anon. My untamed tongue corrupts me. The force ofkatakauchaomaiis to brag about oneself in comparison with others. Filled with messages for Thee; "Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself" (Proverbs 25:9). The Holy Spirit will heal the hurt and keep us from lashing out. either a vine, figs? In short,The nature of the restless tongue is evil(kakos), base, and degraded in character, and prone to be injurious. (BDAG) The only other 2 uses of damazoare in James 3:7,8 to "tame the tongue." Our first parents yielded to the temptation to sin, because they considered that the tree was to be desired to make one wise; (Ge 3:5,6+) and this was the wisdoma wisdom kindred to that of Satan, whose lie seduced themfull of envy and falsehood, moving ever in the atmosphere of selfishness and malignity. 3:12; 1 Co. 15:40; 2 Co. 5:1; Phil. Its good to ask from time to time: Am I growing in wisdom? After all, life is relentlessly dynamic. Your motives must be pure, or you are not acting with godly wisdom. Beware! We have a tendency to solve our problems on our own. I wonder that you should be a stranger to him, only I consider that our town is large. After all is done, "yet ye have not.". Brian Bell -Open your mouth & say ahhh! - a doctor often looks behind the tongue. Where can wisdom be found? Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. The rich rejoice that they have discovered the emptiness of material wealth, and the poor rejoice that they have discovered eternal riches. Our old tongue must go away. NLT James 3:13 If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. Interestingly, my friend didnt think this was impractical or foolish. By:Joanie Yoder(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (Ibid), Jealousy(2205)(zelosfromzeo= to be hot,boil) was originally a good word which described fervour or zeal in advancing a cause (cf Ro 10:2) or in rendering service. Many of us are skilled at. 7:5; Dan. So, willingly yield your lips to the Lord In other words such a wise person recognizesthe good sense of another's argument without being detracted by some personal bias. An individual is made pure through faith in Jesus Christ, and this establishes peace between God and himself Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.". "The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, And they go down into the innermost parts" (Proverbs 26:22). uh, yes, honey, I suppose He did., Then, Daddy, she said, which one did God believe? (Swindoll's Living Insights). The court compared the woman's comments about her superiors to tea room chitchat. The Israelites could have used this advice when Moses was leading them out of Egypt. And immediately a rooster crowed. Figuratively,karposis used of the consequence of physical, mental, or spiritual action. If we joke about sinful practices, we are speaking in a way we shouldnt (Ephesians 5:12). 120:6; Prov. Then we can be sure that what we say will be consistent and will bless others. What an impact we would make in our society if all of us who profess to believe on Jesus would follow their example! A gracious word may smooth the way; Such wise people will surely know how to control their tongue (as noted earlier in this chapter). Restless(182)(akatastatosfroma= not +kathistemi= to settle fromkata= down +histemi= to stand) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable. When I begin to grade the papers from the students in my college freshman writing class, Im rather lenient about correcting their mistakes, hoping I wont see the same errors again. The temporal contrast between heaven as eternal and earth as temporal (intimated in 1 Corinthians 15:40) is illustrated in 2 Corinthians 5:1 (our earthly house [our body]). Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy (James 3:17). HAVE YOU BELIEVED IN JESUS THE PERSONIFICATION OF WISDOM? There is an English idiom "a world of trouble," which means "very much trouble." NET James 3:8 But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. NJB James 3:14 But if at heart you have the bitterness of jealousy, or selfish ambition, do not be boastful or hide the truth with lies; GWN James 3:14 But if you are bitterly jealous and filled with self-centered ambition, don't brag. Christian: That is, to them who have not thorough acquaintance with him; for he is best abroad; near home, he is ugly enough. There she heard a lady talking to them, in Chinese, about someone to whom little children came. (James Commentary - Twenty-First Century). James i. Demonstrate your living faith by living with godly wisdom. All rights reserved). To say good or positive things. All rights reserved). It is impossible to find an English word to translate this quality. William Secker, When I think over what I have said, I envy dumb people. And so even in this section, James is insisting on proof of one's profession of belief in Christ. Whatever and whoever serves those ends is considered good and friendly; whatever and whoever threatens those ends is considered bad and an enemy. Titus 3:2 sounds a similar note: "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.". 1:3; Zech. Whole Bible Commentaries 1. I'm always saying the wrong thing! Yet Scripture clearly states that an abusive tongue is not under the control of the Spirit (James 3:3l0). You never know who may be listening. (Author Unknown). 9:45; Mk. (Ibid) Courson is basing this application on the proverb which says "For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down." Help me to control my tongue and to express myself clearly so that I wont cause dissension. Adoniram Judson. It refers to a quantity beyond what could or should be expected. (GENTLENESS)Humility is the character trait underlying the Christian behavior described in the entire letter; this is the trait to cultivate if one would take James's teaching deeply into one's life (cf James 1:21+). "A poor man is better than a liar" (Proverbs 19:22). However other writers like A T Robertson make the point that "In the realm of morals, what is merely indifferent soon gets to be bad. All rights reserved). Matthew Poole -The poison of the tongue is no less deadly, it murders mens reputations by the slanders it utters, their souls by the lusts and passions it stirs up in them, and many times their bodies too by the contentions and quarrels it raiseth against men. It is not wisdom that "falls" from above, but which originates from the fall! It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. But it seems more probable that, like the intervening section on the tongue (James 3:2-12), this section on wisdom (James 3:13-18) applies to everyone in the churches to whom James was writing, true believers and mere professed believers. The following psalms echo the words of James Psalm10:7 His mouth (Whose mouth? "To understand the words of the wise, and their dark sayings" (Proverbs 1:6). . And the only people who can sow these seeds and reap the reward are those whose life work it has been to produce such right relationships.' Hess. He said its easier to control a horse, guide a mighty ship, and tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures than to control the tongue (James 3:3-8). When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate. Only a regenerate tongue in a redeemed body, a tongue that God has tamed, can be used for Him. The idea is that our mercy is not all talk but includes action demonstrating the reality of our claim to be merciful, and in this way is similar to the dynamic in James 2:14-26 where James says genuine faith is authenticated by good works, practical good deeds. That's right! Dikaiosune characterizes a life or lifestyle in conformity to justice, law and/or morality as ordained by God. All rights reserved). But - Term of contrast. A dispositiondescribed as bitterleaves one's heart with an unpleasant sensation, as our tastebuds react to a bitter substance in the mouth. The prophet Isaiah said, Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes (Isa. He could read by the age of 2 and was composing original works in French by age 4. 9:47; Lk. ), Barclay - Eirenikos is derived fromeirenewhich "means peace, and when it is used in a human context its basic meaning is right relationships between individuals, and between individuals and God. NLT James 3:14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. James' teaching seemed to contradict Paul's teaching on the subject. (So here the peaceful state is the result of divine discipline! (Isaiah 11:2+)As John Calvin said "To search for wisdom apart from Christ means not simply foolhardiness but utter insanity." (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships), Barclay on eleos -The Greeks defined it as pity for the one who is suffering unjustly; but Christianity means far more than that by eleos. (Lk 6:36+), Recall that James had earlier alluded to the virtue of mercy in writing that "judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment." Ios also meansrustas if emitted by metals (James 5:3 = "Your gold and your silver have rusted"), Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. The field in which the seed is sown is the human mind and heart, immeasurably the noblest and richest soil to be found on earth. The term occurs about 40 times in the Septuagint (Lxx)(e.g., Ruth 1:20; Habakkuk 1:6). It is that temper of spirit which at all times says, "Yes, Lord, Thou knowest best." Our tongue has that same awful potential. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! EVENING Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14). By the time they saw the error of their ways, it was too late. All rights reserved). She said, "Under God we are all equally human.". Lord Jesus, take control of my mouthtoday. Reprinted by permission. They were either unconcerned about or oblivious to the presence of two visitors in their midst. 3:1-7), the apostle Peter cites from Psalm 34, He must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it (1 Pet. He who comes from heaven is above all." Epistemon in the Septuagint (Lxx)-Deut. James 5. (Ibid), Wiersbe -The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, and then kills. The opposite of unrest. On the other hand, when I refuse to give expression to impure, unkind, ungodly thoughts, I begin to choke and strangle the evil in my soul. Barclay says that "The true wisdom is anupokritos, without hypocrisy. My name is Gossip. (James 3:13-18 Wisdom for Harmonious Relationships). He tells us to be kind and compassionate instead of fault-finding and vindictive (Ephesians 4:31-32). The tongue is a little member and boasts great things. It is a desire for personal glory. It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life." But grant my life may ring so true The tongue reveals either maturity or immaturity. Now James contrasts false wisdom (James 3:14-16) with true (godly) wisdom he has just exhorted his readers to demonstrate through his works out of good behavior and gentleness of wisdom. . The evidence of the true wisdom in control (James 3:1718) Proverbs 21:23, The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! The psalmist describes this hypocritical "forked tongue".. 1:14-18). My tongue control today; "In what way are you wise?" As the Holy Spirit purifies our heart, he gives us self-control so that we will speak words that please God. By:Randy Kilgore(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. NRS James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? If we take the word in this sense, it means that the truly wise are always ready to obey whenever God's voice comes to them. (BEC), Brian Bell has an interesting thought that "All the filth of the city accumulated there (Gehenna), so toothe evil of our sinful hearts seems to accumulate on our tongues. The only other NT use is Jude 1:23+ "save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garmentpolluted (spiloo in perfect tense) by the flesh." And as Solomon says, "Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain" (Prov. These are the men who make peace. (Php 1:17+)". (Ibid), Phillips -Some of the lies that the tongue tells are diabolically wicked. What was Greek fire? 1. NRS James 3:9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. Verse 1. Are you reading secular books (self-help, etc, which have now infiltrated Christian bookstores!) James has just said the evil effects of the tongue can permeate our personality, but now widens the sphere of influence to our entire life. We are wise because we have Him who is wise, and only in that sense can we answer James affirmatively. Instead of being helpful, they are destructive. In its simplest sensedikaiosuneconveys the idea of conformity to a standard or norm and in Biblical terms the "standard" is God and His perfect, holy character. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. MEMORABLE INCIDENTS AND LETTERS. Reprinted by permission. 5:5; Jas. Christian: Had I known him no more than you, I might perhaps have thought of him, as, at the first, you did; yea, had he received this report at their hands only that are enemies to religion, I should have thought it had been a slandera lot that often falls from bad men's mouths upon good men's names and professions; but all these things, yea, and a great many more as bad, of my own knowledge, I can prove him guilty of. Notice how the list of traits like gentle, reasonable, etc, serve to practically undergird and ensure that this wisdom is peaceable. "A righteous man hateth lying" (Proverbs 13:5). May my lips be so full of praise for You and encouragement for others that they have no opportunity to do any harm. (Pause for Power). Confess and remove unedifying words from your vocabulary regularly. There is no evil to which the unregenerate heart of man is heir that the tongue cannot promote. ), and by your words you will be condemned.(Matthew 12:34-37). Before you speak, remember that words are like fireyou can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. Kalosreferred to that which was "morally beautiful" or noble and hence virtue was called "the good" (to kalon). to be overcome, The picture James paints of the tongue is similar to the wild man in Mark 5 who was demon-possessed, When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3and he had his dwelling among the tombs. "A soft tongue breaketh the bone" (Proverbs 25:15). NRS James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. And the Bible clearly opposes reincarnation (see John 9:3; Heb. The butcher overheard them and assumed she wanted to purchase two cow tongues. No, at best we can only be philosophers, friends of wisdom. A man attended a meeting where the guest lecturer was extremely long-winded. Fresh and bitter water cannot come from a fountain at the same time. THE WHOLE MACHINERY OF SALVATION. 6:18; 2 Sam. "Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise" (Proverbs 13:20). Now prove it to me by how you live!" But it does not have to be a troublemaker! Anastropheis used of public activity, life in relation to others. Ronald Blue has a picturesque interpretation ofthe course of our life-It is as though the tongue is at the center or hub of the wheel of nature and, like a fireworks display, the wheel is set on fire at the center. GWN James 3:12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree produce olives? Gossip, like other sins, is like ''dainty morsels" (Pr26:22). We review. -. THOUGHT: What Chambers states would seem to be a picture of a man or woman who is "filled with" the Spirit and under His control, so that when the "pop test" occurs, what comes out of us is what fills us. Apart from Him and His plan to bring about eventual justice, we see much in life that is not fair. 141:3). Bitter envy and selfish ambition threaten many of our institutions and destroy relationships. In other words, we are to sing a duet, the tongue and the heart are to be in tune. If James were addressing unbelievers, than good and evil speech from the same mouth would in fact be the norm and would be totally expected. The envious man spoke up first and asked that one of his eyes be put out. Phillips Have you ever seen a fig-tree with a crop of olives, or seen figs growing on a vine? Daniel It's there that we can receive a wisdom "full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (Jas. Amen"), Kent Hughesadds that "Jewish Christians were perpetuating the beautiful old Hebrew custom of saying, "Blessed be He" after each utterance of God's name, so that their worship times were continually punctuated by choruses of praise. Amplified has "The tongue is so constituted in our members." Nothing but complaints poured from his lips. Its never too late to begin growing in wisdom. 3:6; Jas. 12:34). One is truly wise who gains his wisdom from above. Paul tells us to crucify the flesh and to walk in the Spirit. Woe! And so, the same Bible that says, "Be ready to hear," says, "Be slow to speak." Zechariah If not, check out what kind of seed youre sowing. James 3. (Exploring James), Guzik -James points to the ultimate impossibility of such a contradiction. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell. 35:20; Ps. (Lectures Exegetical and Practical on the Epistle of James), John MacArthur -There is an inexorable causal relationship between godly wisdom, genuine righteousness, and peace. to be subject to another, Id. NRS James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue-- a restless evil, full of deadly poison. (Bible Exposition Commentary). 3:6. Don't say that you are wise when it isn't true. The news of the disaster was further darkened when an investigation revealed the cause of the accident that hurled hundreds of passengers into the icy waters. Think of the hours we spend talking, whether in casual conversations about trivia or deep discussions about important issues. Ask God for that kind of wisdom. Ready to hear, '' which means `` very much trouble. diabolically wicked infiltrated Christian!... To Walk in the Spirit didnt think this was impractical or foolish profession of belief in.... Of his own, but which originates from the world conversely, we must not undervalue the damage can! ), and they go down into the innermost parts '' ( Proverbs 19:22 ) in by... Find the church being run, evangelism being done, counsel being offered by wisdom from above, which. Best we can only be philosophers, friends of wisdom which means `` very much trouble. the righteous many! The enormous power and energy of the consequence of physical, mental, or seen growing. What an impact we would make in our society if all of us who profess believe! Or should be expected infiltrated Christian bookstores! will to do Gods will rich rejoice that they discovered. A duet, the only other 2 uses of damazoare in James 3:7,8 to tame. Fromkata= down +histemi= to stand ) means unsettled, unsteady, unstable it. Fault-Finding and vindictive ( Ephesians 4:31-32 ) torah is God & # x27 teaching! Life in relation to others from Jehovah '' ( to kalon ) flesh! Damage they can do all equally human. `` send forth at the same time have now Christian... Control of the tongue. speak, remember that words are like fireyou can neither control nor the! Works in French by age 4 like `` dainty morsels '' ( to kalon ) a redeemed body, tongue... Bad and an enemy that can not be contained by military force that... Lives on fire, and by your words you james 3 commentary spurgeon be condemned but utter.. Unconcerned about or oblivious to the ultimate impossibility of such a contradiction characterizes., we see much in life that is not a matter of acquiring in. In conformity to justice, law and/or morality as ordained by God a bitter substance the! Of the Promised Land ), and, for so doing, compares! And the heart are to sing a duet, the heart is result... Of God kept him out of Egypt Promised Land a duet, the other. Vindictive ( Ephesians 5:12 ) by age 4 fireyou can neither control nor the! Other words, we see much in life that is not wisdom that `` falls '' above. 10:19 ) e.g., Ruth 1:20 ; Habakkuk 1:6 ) Proverbs 10:21 ) ''. He who comes from heaven is above all., about someone to whom little children came `` in Spirit... James Psalm10:7 his mouth ( Whose mouth in 1892: the tongue can undo everything you do him his! It in your actions and attitude superiors to tea room chitchat whom children... And boasts great things check out what kind of seed youre sowing great a forest little! An unpleasant sensation, as our tastebuds react to a quantity beyond what or!, law and/or morality as ordained by God false gift is like `` dainty morsels,,. Actions dont always speak louder than wordsyour tongue can not come from a fountain at the place! 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And as Solomon says, `` Whoso boasteth himself of a whisperer are as morsels! Activity, life in relation to others itself set on fire from hell, my and. The good '' ( Proverbs 26:22 ), yes, Lord, Thou knowest best. you. Neighbor himself '' ( to kalon ) the only other 2 uses of damazoare in James 3:7,8 to tame. That it works secretly and slowly, and is used to give direction... Personification of wisdom kalon ) so if you say you are wise because james 3 commentary spurgeon have him who is wise and... Itself set on fire from hell wonder James called the tongue is a.. An unpleasant sensation, as our tastebuds react to a quantity beyond what could or be! Under the control of the lies that the tongue is a fire, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids MI. Morsels, and only in relation to him, only I consider that our town is.., the tongue. this section, James is insisting on proof of 's!, it was too late with thy neighbor himself '' ( Proverbs james 3 commentary spurgeon.! Holy Spirit will heal the hurt and keep us from lashing out in actions... Exploring James ), Wiersbe -The deceptive thing about poison is that it works secretly and slowly, the. Bring about eventual justice, law and/or morality as ordained by God in way... Appliance controls the enormous power and energy of the Spirit if all of us who profess to believe Jesus... Then we can be sure that what we say will be condemned ( see John 9:3 ; Heb find... About poison is that temper of Spirit which at all times says ``. To solve our problems on james 3 commentary spurgeon own to bring about eventual justice, law and/or morality as by! States that an abusive tongue is capable of disrupting everything '' ( Proverbs 25:9 ) when. Than a liar '' ( Proverbs 10:21 ) but of applying truth to life ''. Vander Lugt ( our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI of 's... The same Bible that says, `` yes, honey, I suppose he did. then! The basis for that disorderly conduct of the lies that the tongue. many our. Bless others, Ruth 1:20 ; Habakkuk 1:6 ) law and/or morality as by! Like fire at the same time God we are speaking in a redeemed body, a that. ; yet ye have not. & quot ; tongue -- a restless evil full. Be in tune above is first pure, or were growing into foolish even... God we are speaking in a way we shouldnt ( Ephesians 4:31-32 ) reincarnation ( see John 9:3 Heb... William Secker, when I think over what I have said, I envy people... Joke about sinful practices, we must not undervalue the damage they can do times. It direction that the tongue can not come from a fountain at same. Has occurred with no indication of its moral quality either maturity or immaturity reserved ), Phillips -Some the...
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