"Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop; But a good word maketh it glad" (Proverbs 12:25). wisdom Exalt her, and she will promote thee " (Proverbs 4:5-9). to be forced or seduced, Hom. (Ibid). Amplified But the human tongue can be tamed by no man. When the two trainers pulled the rope so that it was six feet above the surface, the second whale broke the water and jumped the mpe. Its words will soothe and heal. Literally "the wheel of birth ("wheel of existence")." The heart of an unwise person carries an insatiable hunger to push himself or herself to the top. NKJ James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. James used the word wisdom to describe bitter envy and self-seeking (3:14-15). "The scoffer is an abomination to men" (Proverbs 24:9). But there is something we cannot tame. As James has just noted, this wisdom is motivated by pride, selfish ambition, arrogance, self-centeredness, self-interest, and self-aggrandizement. My granddaughter Bree loved the circus, but she was afraid of the tiger. Epistemon in the Septuagint (Lxx)-Deut. The first screw to get loose in a person's head is usually the tongue. ByDavid C. Egner(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. James 3:7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. Thus, we find the church being run, evangelism being done, counsel being offered by wisdom from the world. (Ibid), Barton adds that "Flames of hate, prejudice, slander, jealousy, and envy seem to come from the very lake of fire where Satan will be punished (see Revelation 20:10, 14-15), Kent Hughes -The uncontrolled tongue has a direct pipeline to Hell! "The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood" (Proverbs 12:6). And in the book of James, "Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise" (Proverbs 13:20). We are to be people who speak and do the truth. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. . "A false witness shall not be unpunished; And he that uttereth lies shall perish" (Proverbs 19:9). 9:10), the righteousness "which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God" (Phil. Hagnos is in the list of virtues ("whatever is pure")on which Paul commands believers to continuallydwell (present imperative- continually = need the Holy Spirit to obey). Communication courses are useful and homiletics helps, but no amount of discipline and training can quell the wayward tongue. 1. Reprinted by permission. He is, however, a homely and spiritual writer, and his work is good reading for the many. Though little, the tongue can do extensive damage. And he went out and wept bitterly" (Matt. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary). He contrasts it with worldly wisdom that inevitably leads to conflict. Reprinted by permission. None are absolutely freed and exempted from sinning (1 John 1:8; Proverbs 20:9).Well, then (1) Walk with more caution; you carry a sinning heart about you. And as Paul goes on to explain in the following context (of Ephesians 5:15-18), God pleasing and God glorifyingwisdomis revealed by godly living which is possible only in a person not be controlled by wine but continually controlled by the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18+). There are two sciences which every person ought to learn: the science of speech and the more difficult one of silence. The more he saw, the less he spoke; ", Spurgeon -Unless you are regenerated, born from above by a new and heavenly birth, you are not Christians, whatever you may be called, and you cannot, produce the fruit which is acceptable to God any more than a fig tree can produce olive berries, Hiebert observes that "James draws no stated conclusion from these illustrations. Paul writes to the believers at Corinth who were not acting as they ought to act in Christ, enabled by His Spirit you are still fleshly. "Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;keep watch over the door of my lips." ESV James 3:11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? They can ruin a persons reputation and destroy the closest relationships. Will Durant, Kind words are the music of the world. 15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. To leave the crowd impressed, When James spoke of the "wisdom that is from above," he described it as "pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (3:17). But apart from Christ there is no wisdom. And the tongue is a fire- Phillips paraphrases it "the tongue is as dangerous as any fire." Branon. BBE James 3:17 But the wisdom which is from heaven is first holy, then gentle, readily giving way in argument, full of peace and mercy and good works, not doubting, not seeming other than it is. ASV James 3:16 For where jealousy and faction are, there is confusion and every vile deed. "As clouds and wind without rain, So is he that boasteth himself of his gifts falsely" (Proverbs 25:14). By:Anne Cetas(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. It's there that we can receive a wisdom "full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy" (Jas. ESV And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 24). James points us towards having the Spirit of God, working through the new man, set directing hands on the reins and rudder that is our tongue. Who will GUIDE US INTO ALL TRUTH so growth will be produced by the Word, PRODUCING His fruitage of LOVE IN OUR LIVES that knows no discrimination. But David refused to harm Saul because he was theLords anointed (v.6). Proverbs 10:19. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. 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." (Ibid). Theres another kind of incorrect word usage that is far worse. There are 7 uses in the Septuagint (Lxx)where it most often means something like "similarity. (BKC). Kakos then speaks of lack of goodness, of a bad nature. Where the spirit does not rule, the soulthat is, as we have seen, the mental and emotional nature in so far as it is occupied with the world open to the sensestends to become ever more and more subject to the lowest element of our constitution, the appetites of the body. And give little thought to the things you say! This was a shameful sin, and James would not tolerate it!" James 3:11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Thomas Fuller, The jawbone of an ass was a killer in Samsons time. Instead of just advertising the congregations own time of worship, the sign also listed the schedule for two other churches that met at different times in the same small town. - Eph 6:17+). We curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God (Ge1:26, 27; Ge 9:6)- James spoke of "double minded" in James 1:6 and here speaks of "double mouthed," or "forktongued!" Matthew Henry. YLT James 3:11 doth the fountain out of the same opening pour forth the sweet and the bitter? "The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is as a flowing brook" (Proverbs 18:4). The course of nature refers to ongoing of life in general, not the recycling of individual souls. Wisdom, we believe, is a synonym of Logs of the Word, and it refers to that perfection and eternity which is to be found only in God the Father, manifested to the world through His Son, the Lord Jesus, and existing in the world today only through His Holy Spirit. James says wisdom is reasonable; flexible; forgiving; peaceful; caring; given to friendly visits, small acts of courtesy, and kind words. Rienecker says "Perfectlooks at the completed action or state of man being in the image of God." More like the Master I long to ever be. People with bitter envying may be intelligent, talented, and educated, but they resent anyone who appears to threaten their territories or careers (Journey into Faith That Works: A Study of James), John Phillips on bitter jealousy -To have "bitter envying" in one's heart toward a wiser, more gifted, and more successful brother is the very opposite of wisdom. As a pastor, I have seen poisonous tongues do great damage to individuals, families, classes, and entire churches. The emphasis is on giving, not gathering! My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. But if the heart is filled with love, God will light the fire. Sometimes we hear a desperate survival story of someone who cuts off their own leg to get free from a tree that has fallen on them, and then they make it to a hospital for medical treatment. . JAMES 3:8 To tame our tongues, we need Gods help. The Bible abounds with illustrations of such use. All rights reserved), SOME TALK ABOUT TALK 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. 1:11). This is some of the rotten fruit of worldly wisdom. Now James says that when the unbridled tongue begins to spew forth evil, this evil stains and pollutes the entire personality (the soma- a few commentators say soma may also refer to the Church which is often called a body)! KJV James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Beloved, as an alien and stranger (short timer) on earth, you need to change your intake from earthly to heavenly, from the temporal to the eternal. And is set on fire by hell- Not Hades (the temporary holding place), but Gehenna, the everlasting place of all evil demons and humans. Thinking It Over If you and I are going to have tongues that delight, then we must meet with the Lord each day and learn from Him. 1 Timothy Wuest This wisdom is not the wisdom which comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual [having to do with the natural, physical existence as over against the spiritual world of the supernatural], demonic; f. NET James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic. Anon. We think of the curses that Shimei directed against David, the Lord's anointed (2 Sam. Thomas Manton, Evil words show a wicked heart, and idle words a vain mind. Those two words shouldnt go together. NLT Study Bible - Such brackish springs could not support a town. to subdue or conquer, Id. It also means "being like," "correspondence"He who curses man turns against God Himself, who created man after His own similitude." People in our lives may sometimes suggest we do what seems most gratifying or practical in the moment. 141:3). -- Author unknown. That many a kink In other words such a wise person recognizesthe good sense of another's argument without being detracted by some personal bias. Seeking nothing but Gods glory, and using no other means to attain it than those of his own prescribing.. At times our speech is contradictory because we praise the Lord but then speak badly of others. 5:9), never troublemakers.ByDave Branon(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. 6:6; 1 Tim. 2. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable. Words have the potential to kill relationships, paralyze love, poison minds, destroy faith, stain purity and deface reputations. 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.' When you speak, remember God is one of your listeners. What comes out of our mouths shows us how much we need Gods help. 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. Phillips It is an evil always liable to break out, and the poison it spreads is deadly. It was hopelessly overweight, and I suspect it no longer had any teeth. Bibliographical Information Spurgeon, Charle Haddon. It is both the knowledge and practice of it. Gilbert. NJB James 3:9 We use it to bless the Lord and Father, but we also use it to curse people who are made in God's image: GWN James 3:9 With our tongues we praise our Lord and Father. (Mk 12:42-44)Ever and anon, on a Highland hillside, one passes a little rocky cup filled with cool crystal water from a deep unfailing spring. The classic example is the supernatural fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23+). Righteousness bears fruit after its kind, and that is peace. ASV James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without variance, without hypocrisy. Apart from Him and His plan to bring about eventual justice, we see much in life that is not fair. It follows that only believers can truly tame their tongue. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.". 19:29; Jn. By:Keila Ochoa(Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. You love evil more than good, Falsehood more than speaking what is right. Of the person who is in the habit of speaking with insults, ridicule or sarcasm, James demands, 'Change your speech habits.' KJV And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. It comes from a rebirth of our hearts and spirit to a life truly taken captive by God. Talk of orthodoxy and Christian experience, however fluent and animated and clever, does not of itself prove wisdom; the really wise man will show his works. Out of a good conversation [CONDUCT], James continues. Proverbs 16:25, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God. With words that soothe and heal and mend. But Jesus can. THOUGHT - It is undoubtedly no coincidence that James uses the same verb (Show -deiknuoin aorist imperative) as well as ergon(works) in making a similar statement in James 2:18+"show me your faith without the works (ergon), and I will show you my faith by my works(ergon). So just as works show faith to be genuine, good behavior shows wisdom to be from above, heavenly, godly. Godly words can come only from a godly heart. 2:21; Jas. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. But ultimately, their minds are set on themselves, & the things they want are really just offerings to the false god of self. The heart is the "real" fountain of James 3:11 that brings forth bitter water! ", Adam Clarke on without hypocrisy -Without pretending to be what it is not; acting always in its own character; never working under a mask. But if zeal gets out of control, it can reduce everything to ashes (so to speak). It is the ability to live in a manner pleasing to God because you understand His truth and you live in constant submission to His Spirit, applying that truth to all of life. (ED: And Jesus responded with wisdom from above which trumped Satan's earthly wisdom! Behavior(conduct, lifestyle) (391)(anastrophefromana= again +strepho= to turn) literally describes a turning around or turning back and is used figuratively ofa turning here and there in the daily affairs of life, and thus refers toone's conduct, especially focusing on our daily behavior and our general deportment. Wise people live skillfully. "As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, So is a faithful messenger to them that send him; For he refresheth the soul of his masters" (Proverbs 25:13). "A man's belly shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth" (Proverbs 18:20). Once spoken, words cant be taken back. Words can't break bones, but they can break hearts. 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. The word does not necessarily mean domesticate, but to subdue or subjugate. Anon. It is easy for us to be drawn into wrong desires by the pressures of society and sometimes even by well-meaning Christians. It is derived from a Greek root word which means "to cut, prick, pierce, or fasten together." If the Holy Spirit is on the throne, then out of our innermost being flows that river of living water of which the Lord Himself spoke (John 7:37-39+)." By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings. KJV 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: ESV James 3:7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind. NKJ James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? 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. My brethren- Once again identifying himself with them as fellow believers, members of the same family, the family of God. She had never cooked beef tongue before! Ought (5534)(chre from chreia = need, necessity) is an impersonal verb meaning it is necessary, it needs to be, that which must be, that which should happen (with the implication of propriety). Into what are we growing? At first the signs are subtle, but soon bitterness swirls into a blizzard of complaints, unforgiveness, depression, sustained grief, hopelessness, and rage against God. The Eighteen Benedictions,a liturgical formula used daily by righteous Jews, concluded each of its parts with the blessing of God." A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. Lord, please guard my heart and my words today. (Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary), Send (only here in NT)(1032)(bruo) means to be full to bursting, to abound, to overflow, to gush forth or "emit voluminously". The words which this wisdom utters may be of Gods glory, but their real aim is mans glory. We dare not be careless with what we say, thinking we can apologize later, because even if we do, the scars remain. Thomas Watson, Words are the looking-glass of the mind. Here are all 11 uses of prautes in the NT - 1 Co. 4:21; 2 Co. 10:1; Gal. Ambrose. When words and actions agree, the message is loud and clear. Thats surprising, because we normally equate wisdom with something good. It is a divine endowment and not a human acquisition.Therefore we Christians, who have accepted Christ as our Savior and who have the Holy Spirit indwelling us, are the only ones who can say that we are wisenot of ourselves, but because of the presence of God within us. All the conflicts, crimes, battles, and wars of the world are evidence of the devastation caused by human wisdom. The impact of Caesars decision was irreversible, generating years of civil war before Romes great general became absolute ruler. It short, wisdom not from God is of the world, of the flesh and of the devil! Speciesrace(5449)(phusisfromphuo= to bring forth) means natural condition, nature, natural order, being, essence, kind, species. If you see a church or a home where there is peace, it is because the members have worked to cultivate peace. "He that is wise winneth souls" (Proverbs 11:30). "The mouth of the righteous shall deliver them" (Proverbs 12:6). Promote health with wise words (Proverbs 12:18). 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. Reprinted by permission. A. W. Tozer, It is a fact that those whose lives are daily being conformed to the Word and purposes of God will be given the ability to see issues more plainly. Courson -Come to terms with the fact that if your words are bitter, it's because your heart is bitter. They have listened to one another, respected one another, judged their own selfishness and pride, and sought to live in accordance with godly wisdom, not worldly wisdom.". Who among you is wise and understanding? The use of the perfect tense "have been tamed" adds that history is replete with such examples.It is standing proof of the inherent superiority of human nature over animal nature.". James 3:17. Comment - The English word subdue means "to establish ascendancy over by force | to overcome and bring under control, as by intimidation or persuasion | to hold in check or repress." It pervades philosophy, education, politics, economics, sociology, psychology, and every other dimension and aspect of contemporary human life. "A false witness shall perish" (Proverbs 21:28). It follows that peace is the opposite of division or dissension. Or a vine, figs? That will mark the beginning of harmonynot havoc.M R De Haan II (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. (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. Pseudomai means means to tell a falsehood, attempt to deceive by lying, to speak falsely or deceitfully. NIV James 3:11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? Gabriel. 5:20; Phil. Pure(53)(hagnos) means freedom from defilements, contaminants or impurities (e.g., Jesus ishagnos - 1 Jn 3:3+). Under his tongue is mischief and wickedness. One day she went to another village and followed some girls into a mission school. James makes the point that heavenlywisdom is not just what one knows (intellectual) but how one lives (behavioral). Washington Irving. He could read by the age of 2 and was composing original works in French by age 4. . Were printed each night Give us the gracious speech of love, Troublemakers? Why can't we all be like that wise old bird? Obviously he is not saying we are demon possessed but the comparison is worth noting. The family of God. lack of goodness, of the wicked are of lying in wait for ''! Of you lacks wisdom, let Him ask of God. people who speak do. The Lord Jesus Christ, to speak falsely or deceitfully shall deliver them (! 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