Chapter 3

Sixth Test, 3:1-12, Test of the Tongue

Be careful of wanting to be a teacher - of being one who speaks with authority.  As such, the standard is higher.  A small "slip of the tongue" kind of mistake on the part of a ship's pilot can put the whole ship on the rocks, not just the pilot.  The tongue, like the rudder, establishes direction.  It should not direct us to both the north and the south any more than a bit in a horses mouth simultaneously directs the horse left and right.  Our tongues should be consistent with our faith.  James indicates that the tongue is truly a problem, a systemic problem, and requires much attention to keep under control.

2022 - As the rudder controls the direction of the whole ship, as the bridle controls the behavior of the whole horse, so the tongue sets the course of every person.  If we just talk and talk, our direction is random.  If we constantly criticize others, our direction is unforgiving.  If we constantly thank God, we are grateful.  If we constantly praise His name, we are humble.  We must step back from ourselves and listen to our own words to determine our true direction.  This is not easy to do.  Once we start to listen to ourselves and our words, we need to set the rudder for the direction we want to go, and hold it there, and not let the rudder swing on it's own.  We wouldn't drop the horses reigns, and yet when we blabber about whatever comes to mind, we are doing exactly that.  Our words should always have a purpose, an objective.  Every.  Single.  Word.  We should encourage, uplift, tactfully correct, inform, and love with the words we say.  And we should never allow bitterness, hatred, denigration, impurity, or enticement come from us.  A great test, vital to self-examination and growth faith and wisdom. 

2022 - This verse:

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. [Jas 3:7-8 ESV]

This makes pretty clear that the tongue ought to be constantly monitored, leashed, bound, and  used only when we are firmly in control of it.  It can poison others, it can poison our witness, it can poison our own thinking if left unchecked.  A closed mouth bridles the tongue.  The key here is to keep our mouths shut until we are firmly in control of what the tongue is going to do.  Refer back to that "slow to speak" command in Rule x.  Don't speak, don't ever speak, unless you know what you're going to say.  It goes on to say that the same mouth that praises our God curses those made in His image.  Does this make any sense?  Would we go for water at a spring that was sometimes fresh and other times foul?  No one would trust such a spring.  The same with our tongues.  He closes with these words:

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. [Jas 3:11-12 ESV]

I think the real point - the test - is that consistency in message indicates constancy of faith.  This does not happen on it's own, but requires ongoing internal commitment to good.  And the more constantly we are on the right course, the more likely we are to be followed, noted, looked to.

2022 - But have I missed the real point?  James started this rule saying we ought not all be teachers.  Then he talks exclusively about the dangers the tongue poses.  Perhaps he means that knowledge does not make you a teacher.  Controlling ones own tongue is the more important skill?  Perhaps this is why I was never a teacher, never a supervisor, never in charge.  I knew how and why, but my delivery was always harsh.  Maybe.  I need to double check my understanding on this one.

Seventh Test, 3:13-18, Test of Humble Wisdom

These verses draw a contrast between heavenly wisdom, that we should seek, and earthly wisdom that creates in us jealousy and selfish ambition.  If we learn something that makes us humble, that wisdom is from heaven.  If we learn something that we believe only we can understand because we are the only ones smart enough to grasp it, and by extension believe that our demonstrated brilliance in understanding it gives us authority and position, we have missed the point.  We are seeking worldly wisdom, which is in fact a contrast to what we should be seeking.  Being obsessive about such wisdom or thinking worldly wisdom qualifies us to teach spiritual wisdom, demonstrates a faith problem.

2022  - The verse:

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. [Jas 3:13 ESV]

Conduct is the true test of faith, of Christian maturity.  What we do ought to demonstrate how far along the road we are.  Perhaps it does.  Maybe that's why some look at us as if we are bright pupils, doing well in kindergarten, and others look at us with admiration.  Again, our conduct is up to us first, but observable by others.   

2022 - Here are some very strong words:

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. [Jas 3:14-15 ESV]

Demonic.  I haven't seen this word used very much.  Interlinear says once in the KJV (also once only in the mGNT and the TR.  A rare word, used by James and no one else in the NT.  So what is being said that presents such a huge contrast in faithfulness?  Is it about hypocrisy?  Surely it is more than that...keep reading.  It seems to be that if our "primary driver of behavior" is rooted in earthly matters like jealousy toward those more successful than ourselves, and works designed to advance us in the world, then the works are not motivated by faith but much worse things.  We should look at our own actions, and judge whether they are aimed at increasing our wealth, or bringing peace with the neighbors.  Whether they are resentful of another's success, or sincere in our congratulations. 

2022 - So many of these things in James are about self-examination.  I don't know how much others do this, but until recently I never did so with any objectivity.  I just assumed that I was doing everything right!  When I didn't get promoted at work, I got a little poutty.  When someone else was promoted, it got a little incredulous, or called "brown noser" or "they get drunk together on the weekend".  These were not wise things to say, these did not characterize Christian maturity.  Such a failure at what was most important, and a failure otherwise also.  The theme of these tests so far is surely self-examination, self-evaluation against the standard for faithful living set out by James.  An amazing book so far.  And the first book!