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Chapter 3 - A Biblical Faith Is A Controlled Faith - James 3:1-18
III. A Biblical Faith is a Controlled Faith.
Introduction
JAMES 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
- "My brethren…"
—Notice the term that is used again here denoting that James is addressing his thoughts towards believers, both Jewish and Gentile.- "…be not many masters…"
The word that is used here, "masters" is often translated as "teachers" in our Bible. Mr. Webster gives us this definition also,
- 9. The director of a school; a teacher; an instructor. - In this sense the word is giving place to the more appropriate words teacher, instructor and preceptor; at least it is so in the United States.
This expression "carries with it the idea of not being a know it all." I like that thought. It certainly fits with what James has to say in the ensuing verses.
Matthew Henry also had some great thoughts on this verse. The following are his comments, "Not to use our tongues so as to lord it over others: My brethren, be not many masters, &c., James 3:1. These words do not forbid doing what we can to direct and instruct others in the way of their duty or to reprove them in a Christian way for what is amiss; but we must not affect to speak and act as those who are continually assuming the chair, we must not prescribe to one another, so as to make our own sentiments a standard by which to try all others, because God gives various gifts to men, and expects from each according to that measure of light which he gives. "Therefore by not many masters" (or teachers, as some read it); "do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners; do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard." This is enforced by two reasons. 1. Those who thus set up for judges and censurers shall receive the greater condemnation. Our judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and severe, Matthew 7:1-2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of others, and arrogant in passing censures upon them, may expect that God will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss. 2. Another reason given against such acting the master is because we are all sinners: In many things we offend all, James 3:2. Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. Let us learn to be severe in judging ourselves, but charitable in our judgments of other people."
I know that the preceding was a rather long quote, but I believe that he has some real wisdom to impart to us concerning this section of Scripture.
- "…knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
We that have received great responsibilities will be judged as to whether we have been faithful to those responsibilities. In this instance we are reminded that those who are teachers had better be faithful to teach honestly. But, we could apply this to all areas of life. We have a sacred trust as Christians to do the very best in whatever arena of service to which God calls us.
- The Power Of The Tongue —James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Watch out for the tongue, meaning watch out for the way that we speak. The way that we speak has the ability to cause many to be hurt. We have heard that old bromide, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Nothing could be further from the truth. Careless words can cause immense hurt, and can never be changed. James gives us a few illustrations in order to impress upon us how words can cause irreversible problems. Christians should be very careful how they speak. Gossip, slander, or "talebearing" as the Bible puts it is dangerous and not becoming to a Christian. It will destroy the testimony of any child of God. Let's look at these illustrations:
- Verse 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
The tongue has the power to direct just as a "bit" in a horse's mouth directs the entire body of the horse.- Verse 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
- James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
We are now confronted with the tongue being compared to a "little fire." We who live in Colorado and the West surely can understand the danger of a "little fire." We are constantly reminded how important it is to keep our "little fires" under control. Yet, in spite of the many warnings, people still persist in doing stupid things with fire. Fire is great when it is controlled, but, like all energy, is very destructive when out of control. Here is another truth, "Uncontrolled energy is always destructive." It is the same in all areas of life. This is especially applicable to the privilege of raising children. Children need to be controlled by Godly principles and parents. Yet, we are daily confronted with parents who are perfectly content to let their "little ones" do their own thing. Then they wonder why 'little Johnny' ended up in jail or worse.So it is when our tongue is uncontrolled. Matthew Henry is also quoted as saying, "We are to dread an unruly tongue as one of the greatest and most pernicious of evils." We hold within this little member of our body the power to destroy.
Note how verse 6 describes our tongue:
- James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire,
a world of iniquity:
so is the tongue among our members,
that it defileth the whole body,
and setteth on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire of hell.What a harsh description of our tongue. No wonder that James started off this chapter with those words of warning, "…be not many masters."
James 3:7-8 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: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
He doesn't have much good to say about our tongue. Be careful how you use it. Only God can really control our tongue. Therefore it is incumbent upon us to be completely surrendered to the Holy Spirit on a daily basis.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
- The Wrong Use of the Tongue —James 3:9-16 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
- God has made every member of our body for a purpose including the tongue. By our tongue we determine the vast majority of our actions. Jesus said in,
Matthew 12:34-37 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. It is obvious from this portion of Scripture and what James has to say that our tongue is a real indicator of our heart's condition. However, we can hide our true heart's condition by a deceitful tongue. James warns us against that by giving us two illustrations.
- James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Obviously the source of the fountain must be one or the other. What is the source of your words?
- James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. These speak of the nature of the fruit. What is your nature? A man or woman who has been saved will have a new nature and will bear fruit to indicate that new nature. God calls it "the new man."
Colossians 3:9-11 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
- James then contrasts the two ways that we could live and admonishes us to live as God would have us to live. What is in your heart? The wisdom of God should guide and direct us, not the wisdom of this world which "is earthly, sensual and devilish." That kind of behaviour coming from a Christian creates "confusion and every evil work." Note that he uses three words that describes our three enemies, "earthly" which reminds of the "world"; "sensual" which reminds us of the "flesh"; and "devilish" which is self- explanatory.
- The Proper Use Of The Tongue —James 3:17-18 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James lists several attributes of the wisdom that comes from above. This kind of wisdom will affect the words that come out of our mouths. This kind of wisdom:
- is "…pure" - Free from defilement or sin.
- is "…peaceable" - Not agitated, a quiet spirit, undisturbed.
- is "…gentle" - Not harsh or impatient.
- is "…easy to be intreated." Someone who is willing to listen to others. No one has all the answers. Listen and be thoughtful about the insights of others.
- is "…full of mercy and good fruits." "…mercy and good fruits" are here linked by the conjunction indicating that they are closely related. Interesting use of two great attributes that only come from God's wisdom.
- is "…without partiality and without hypocrisy." Mr. Webster defines "PARTIALITY, n. parshal'ity. Inclination to favor one party or one side of a question more than the other; an undue bias of mind towards one party or side, which is apt to warp the judgment. Partiality springs from the will and affections, rather than from a love of truth and justice."
Again we have two words linked by that conjunction "and" indicating a close relationship to each other. The two words "without hypocrisy" means that we are not pretenders. In today's vernacular we might say it like this, "What you see is what you get." Don't be a "pretender." Don't be a twofaced person especially with your words. That is one of the difficulties that Pastors have to deal with. They know things about people in the church that most people don't know. It creates quite a problem when you know someone's secret problems, and then you watch how they act or "pretend" in church or around other Christians.
If we have the wisdom that is from "above" our words will have the above listed attributes. We should examine our lives and see if we are endued with the wisdom which is from "above."
Then we have this unusual statement to end Chapter 3:
The little preposition "of" is a very interesting word. Mr. Webster states that its primary meaning is, "from, or out of, or "proceeding from". He then proceeds to give us many different ways that the little word "of" may be used. Using his thoughts will help us to learn the meaning of this unusual statement by James. We might say this verse like this, "And the fruit that comes from righteousness is sown (from little seeds spring great blessings or curses) in peace of (from or proceeding out of) them that make (sow) peace."
"… And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace."
