James 3

Talk

After presenting the faith/works connection, James took on the challenge of the tongue, devoting 12 verses to the subject. The most immediate and powerful work of faith was controlling what one said.

The Perfect Man (1-2)

James opened up this can of worms by warning leaders to be more concerned about the responsibility and accountability involved in leadership than with the benefits of actually leading. Teachers would want to control their tongues, for those who could not control the tongue would never arrive at their God-designed destination (1-2). (Remember, the word “perfect” has more to do with ending up at the intended goal than being sinless.)

The Bridled Man (3)

James used the analogy of a single rider on a horse and observed that a mere bridle guided an animal by the will of the one holding the reins (3).

The Piloted Man (4)

Next, James used the analogy of a ship and explained that a multi-passenger vessel was at the will of strong winds except for a small rudder, which gave the pilot the power to direct it where he willed (4).

The Destructive Man (5-12)

Finally, James used the analogy of a forest fire beginning from a small spark (5). Oddly enough, James implied that the tongue was the most lustful member of our body parts, setting the course of life on fire as it was motivated by hell itself (6). He noted it was easier to tame a beast (7) than a human tongue, for the tongue was like a serpent, lashing out and poisoning at any provocation (8). James observed that the tongue had unusual powers to bless and curse (9-10). He then used two other metaphors, asking if a spring could be both fresh and brine (11) or if trees could produce fruits different from their kind and nature (12). The point is clear: if you want your words to be right, who you are will need to be changed within.

The Wise Man (13-18)

James defined where the right words and works came from: transformation by wisdom, and the kind of wisdom that made meekness the controlling virtue of one’s inner life (13). The opposite of meekness is selfish ambition (14), and selfish ambition comes from demonic and unspiritual “wisdom” (15). Where demonic wisdom with all of its ambition exists, there one will find every kind of vile behavior (16). So, James made it clear that the wisdom from above was fully meek, open, reasonable, and merciful (17). The behavior of such a person was righteous because she or he was a person searching for peace with others, rather than advantage (18).

James 4

Resistance

James elaborated on the environment of selfish ambition and how a person could be changed from a briny well to a fresh spring.

Resist Worldly Allegiance (1-5)

He began by explaining how a person lacking real faith and the wisdom related to it was not meek but rather caused conflict because his or her passions were out of control (1). Those out of control wanted but couldn’t have, so, at some level, they destroyed others as they sought to “get” (2).

He posed two problems for those whose lusts were out of control; first, they didn’t have because they had no faith to ask, and second, when they did ask, it was for their own desires. God was clear: His ear was deaf to the petition of those pursuing their own lustful ends (3). James then used another metaphor: he called those who were friends with the world (which is to be a friend of lust) to be, in fact, like those who cheated on their spouses (4). Then James wrote plainly: as a Husband, God was jealous for our love and trust. He did not want to share our love for Him with our affection for the world and our own lusts (5).

Resist Worldly Pride (6-10)

James understood the allure of lust but pointed out that God’s grace was greater than the lust wanting to defeat us. All we do to receive His grace is humble ourselves, which is another way of saying we receive God’s wisdom, making us humble and meek (6). James was clear on how to resist lust and the devil and receive grace, listing out those actions:

• Submit to God.

• Resist the devil (7).

• Draw near to God.

• Cleanse your hands.

• Purify your hearts (8).

• Be wretched and mourn (9).

James then promised that if we engaged in these activities from a place of humility and meekness, we would enjoy the outcome of grace and honor (10).

Resist Worldly Slander (11-12)

James further explained how humans murdered each other through slander (4:2). He even mentioned how people could use the Law to their advantage in judgment to get something they desired (11). He warned that only One could judge; the rest of us were to walk before Him in humility and meekness (12).

Resist Worldly Planning (13-17)

To illustrate an example, James further warned about how lust worked and entered the marketplace. Lust could make the heart boast of (16):

• setting a plan to make a profit (13)

• acting like one knew the future

• thinking one was imperishable (14)

Meekness had a different approach and would leave everything in the hands and will of God (15).

James then landed a tough point: to know God was to want Him to change one’s heart, to make one far more wise, meek, and humble. Yet, to press ahead into a life of selfish ambition was not an act of faith, and any action that did not come from faith was a sin (16-17).