James 3

Bible study with Dr. Chuck Missler

In this chapter, James uses 6 examples to illustrate 3 main powers of the tongue. Although James speaks of the tongue, his concept is broader. We not only should watch our tongue but our pen, our thoughts, our behavior, and ultimately, our heart.

1. POWER TO DIRECT (Hebrews 3:1-4)
You can tell a person by his words. If he can control his tongue, he can control other aspects. If he cannot even control his tongue, then it wouldn't be surprising to find him out of control in other aspects as well.

Example 1 (James 3:3):
A small piece of metal in the bridle could control a huge animal who could become useful and obedient as opposed to wild and dangerous! The beast can be a symbolism for ourselves, others, etc.

Example 2 (James 3:4):
The rudder is small but can turn a huge ship. Loose lips sink ships. Both the bit and the rudder can overcome contrary forces.

Proverbs deal a lot with the tongue:
Proverbs 15:1, 12:22, 10:19

2. POWER TO DESTROY (Hebrews 3:5-8)

Example 3 (James 3:5):
Words set things on fire just as easily as a kindle can set thousands of acres of land on fire.

Psalm 141:3-4
David prayed about keeping his tongue in check by praying to keep his heart in check: David knew the key to controlling the tongue is the heart. Our tongue is more powerful than a bomb. The things we say can save a person or destroy a person ETERNALLY. A bomb may be physically destructive, but it cannot harm the soul.

Our tongue is a deadly poison. Hurting people stealthily.

Example 4 (James 3:7-8):
No man can tame his own heart. Only God can. Animals can be tamed but the tongue cannot be.

Isaiah 6:5
Isaiah is treated to the throne room of God. Isaiah's reaction is the same as the few who have also seen the throne room of God: Being crushed by a great sense of shame. Shame, because in that room, they are all confronted with the blinding righteousness of god against our sinfulness.

Isaiah's lips were cleansed with a burning coal from the altar. His lips were cauterized. Isaiah could not cleanse himself. He was made clean by God.

Similarly, we cannot tame our own heart. Only God can.

3. POWER TO DELIGHT (3:9-12) 

Example 5 (James 3:11):
Water gives life. So can our words. (Proverbs 10:11, 18:4, 13:14, 18:21 share the same idea.)

Our words should be like the river in Ezekiel 47, where it brought life to everything it touches. 

Proverbs 12:18
"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

Example 6 (James 3:12): 
Our tongue is like a tree. A tree can provide beauty and shade and bears fruit. Similarly, Our words can help others find shelter and courage. (Proverbs 10:21, John 6:63 are all examples).

Psalm 1 reveals the secret to prosperity. Did Jesus need nourishment? He prayed to God everyday! (Isaiah 50:4, Mark 1:35)


WISDOM (James 3:13-18)

Proverbs 8:23
God created wisdom first. There was wisdom before God created anything else. Knowledge is not wisdom. Wisdom is the application of knowledge. 

There are many Biblical passages chronicling the folly of man's wisdom.

Examples:
- Tower of Babel, which ended with confusion
- Abraham (Genesis 12) 
- Saul wanted David to put on the armor, but David couldn't handle it. When God has a plan, armors are unnecessary. (1 Samuel 17:38-40)
- Romans set out to sea despite Paul's warnings (Acts 27)

Ephesians 2:1-3
Three enemies of ours: the world, the flesh, the devil.

The folly of the world's knowledge is to not know God, to reject God (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Worldly Wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:18)
We are either among those who perish or those who are saved. The difference between the two lies in our attitudes toward the Cross.

The Beginning of Wisdom

1. Fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 111:10)

We may accumulate knowledge, but do we truly fear the Lord? The sincere heartfelt fear for the Lord does not come from Bible studies. It comes from our devotional life, our personal relationship with God.

2. Be with Christ
Our wisdom comes from Christ. To obtain wisdom, our first step is to be with Christ. Paul speaks of being in Christ 161 times. 

3. Study the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6, 2 Timothy 3:15, Psalm 119)

4. Pray (James 1:5)

Envy is one of the symptoms of false wisdom. Do we spend our time criticizing others instead of helping them? When they succeed, are we joyful with them or are we envious? When they fail, are we burdened or are we rejoicing? 

Philippians 2:3-4
Strife is a form of rivalry. A close cousin of envy.

Boasting is a symptom of pride, the original sin by Satan. 

The most dangerous deceit is deceit of ourselves.

Meekness is power under control.

Wisdom is the right use of knowledge.
Meekness is the right use of power.

Source of false wisdom: the world

World wisdom is earthly, sensual, devilish. Much of worldly wisdom masquerades as scientific knowledge. 

James 3:16
Wrong thinking produces wrong living. Worldly wisdom always results in disasters. 

James 3:17
Every good thing comes from above (James 1:17)--Even wisdom.

Evidences of true wisdom
- Purity: free from defilement 
- Peace (man's wisdom leads to competition and war) 
- Gentleness 
- Compliance 
- Mercy
- Good fruits
- Without partiality
- Without hypocrisy 

Psalm 115:8 
Psalm 135:18 
We become like the gods we worship.

The world is cruel. The world is harsh. Christ is love. Who do you worship? Who do we want to become? 

James 3:18
We reap what we sow. If we want to run amok, no one can stop us now. We may cause harm to others, and we may not care. But one day, it will all come back to bite us because God is just. 

Proverbs 6:16-19 
God hates causing disturbance among brothers. 

James 4 thus goes on to discuss the kinds of dissonances among us (James 4 notes to come).