James Episode 9

James 3

Taming the Tongue

[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.

Wisdom from Above

[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. (ESV)

#apostolicbiblestudytime #apostolic #caci #james #stjames #bible 

Transcript

apostolicbiblestudytime@gmail.com x 2

www.facebook.com/apostolicbiblestudytime

James 3:1

[1] Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (ESV)

“We who teach will be judged with greater strictness”

I’m paraphrasing something I heard long ago, but the congregation is mostly a reflection of the man behind the pulpit. Of course there are some instances where that may not be the case, but as a rule of thumb that statement is pretty accurate. 

If the pastor is a knowledgeable, bookish type fellow, then the congregation, after sitting under that pastor for a while will gradually become the same. 

I’ve heard some really seemingly anointed preachers that forget the simple fact that words have meanings. 

When I was young I remember my pastor getting up behind the pulpit one night and started preaching out of, might have been Ezekiel about coats. I can’t remember exactly what his point was, but I remember his embarrassment when it was brought to his attention the word he was using as coats was actually coasts. That wasn’t a James 3:1 problem, that was a problem for an optometrist, but words have meanings. 

Paul tells Timothy; 1 Timothy 4:14–16

[14] Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. [15] Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. [16] Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (ESV)

There are so many doctrines that are in the church that simply don’t belong there. It’s not enough to preach acceptable doctrine, it must hold true to the Word of God.

We’re all familiar with Matthew 28:19. That verse has been used to justifying the trinitarian for of baptism for millennia, yet a little scratching under the surface shows us that nobody in the book of Acts was ever baptized that way.

Eusebius of Caesarea, Bishop and counselor to Constantine quotes what is now Matthew 28:19 as “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in My Name.” The error of the trinitarian doctrine holds in most of what is considered Christian throughout the world, and yet it’s an error. An error preached across pulpits every week. “Not many of you should become teachers”  . So much error…

James 3:2

[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. (ESV)

We covered this a couple episodes back, but mostly if we could learn to keep our mouths shut most of the time we would be in much better shape. That includes especially myself! But this goes back to what Jesus said to His disciples, 

Matthew 12:36

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, (ESV)

I’ve been preaching in one capacity or another for approaching 30 years, I can’t imagine how many careless words I’ve spoken in that time.

James 3:3–4

[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. (ESV)

We can easily use our lives as an illustration of this principle. Jesus said, Matthew 5:37

[37] Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (ESV) how many missed opportunities can a person miss out on in their life time for simply not saying what they meant? Your tongue can throw your life off course in an instant! 

James 3:5–6

[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. (ESV)

James 3:7–8

[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. (ESV)

I remember years ago my wife and I were out with some of her family after church. Ryan’s steak house. I was enjoying all the gossip, yes I was an idiot. They continued engaging in this conversation, largely with me when I felt a toe bury itself into my shin. My wife understood the game those relatives were playing. At that table they were talking about a pastor of a church in another state. On their next stop I could just as easily be their next target. An untamed tongue does not care who the person is, it will stab and slice until it moves on. This is something most of us need to repent of. I was feeling like, “hey I’ve made it. These people accept me and have taken me into their confidence.” but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9–12

[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. (ESV)

Paul told the Colossians, Colossians 4:6

[6] Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. (ESV)

James 3:13

[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (ESV)

Job 28:12–13

 [12] “But where shall wisdom be found?

 And where is the place of understanding?

 [13] Man does not know its worth,

 and it is not found in the land of the living. (ESV)

But again Paul speaking;

1 Corinthians 3:18–20

[18] Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. [19] For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” [20] and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (ESV)

James has already told us in the first chapter;

James 1:5

[5] If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (ESV)

James 3:14–15

[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. (ESV)

Romans 8:5–8

[5] For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. [6] For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. [7] For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. [8] Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. (ESV)

James 3:17–18

[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. (ESV)

Jesus tells us in Matthew, Matthew 5:9

[9] “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (ESV)

Let’s use our words to glorify God, and to make peace. Sometimes a harsh word has to be spoken, especially across the pulpit. Solomon says, Proverbs 9:7–8

 [7] Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,

 and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.

 [8] Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;

 reprove a wise man, and he will love you. (ESV)

Sometimes harshness is called for, sometimes correction is called for, but let us be careful in what we teach. If rebuke is necessary, let it come from scripture. But all in all, we’re supposed to follow peace.

apostolicbiblestudytime@gmail.com x 2

www.facebook.com/apostolicbiblestudytime

Until next time, this is brother Jason reminding you, Jesus is not in the godhead;

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9 [KJVA])

Till next time, goodbye and God bless.