The Book of James: REVISITED Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 3: Verses 1-5)

Hello Friends!

This week we’ll continue to work our way through this serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”

The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 3: Verses 1-5)

¹ My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 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. ³ Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 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. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! – James 3:1-5

OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: Here “James” powerfully presents the matter of the “tongue” as yet another TEST of a legitimate “living faith” found in “Jesus Christ” Himself. A TRUE vital “faith” will be demonstrated by our sound “speech” in total “truth” & real “righteousness” as will a FALSE fatal “faith” that habitually “lies” & doubtfully “deceives” directly. Therefore, “our” trying “tongue” is the REAL deal and is a telling tattletale as it purposefully POINTS to a holdened “heart” as being the – Particular PROBLEM!

In fact, “Jesus Christ” made mindfully MANDATE of the “mouth” in this mindful matter of which “bringeth forth” either a grand “good treasure” or an elusive “evil treasure” as mined DIRECTLY from the “abundance of the heart” in kind…

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh – Luke 6:45

Therefore, this issue of the “mouth” is of great CONCERN to brother “James” as he mentions the trifling “tongue” to varying degrees in every chapter of this excellent “epistle” explained. And now he STRESSES this necessary “new life” totally told transformation through a sure “salvation” will indeed show up IN the way a “believer” soundly speaks as such. Therefore, “James” is deeply DEMANDING here that “we” must recognize that true “living faith” will personally PROVE itself by a “controlling” of the torrid “tongue” through “our” own – Spiritual MATURITY!

TAMING the Tongue!

“My brethren” this tantamount TAMING of the “tongue” is absolutely essential for the “Christian” life and “James” gives “us” several compelling reasons for HARNESSING its positive potential and power. To begin with, he calls each of “us” to carefully CONSIDER our tangled “tongue” due to its “condemnation” capacity:

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation – James 3:1

Again, the full CONTEXT here is aptly addressing the matter of “speech” regarding the proper handling of the “Word of God” itself by a ministering “master” mandate. The intense implication of what “James” is powerfully PROCLAIMING in this poignant passage is that “we” must take extreme care to NOT thrust ourselves into a specific TEACHING position through silly self-promotional efforts concerning the intentional INSTRUCTION instituting Holy Writ. WHY? Because of the potential to bring a much “greater condemnation” upon ourselves through a justified JUDGEMENT via our “mouth” as we foolishly falsify the wonderful “Word of God” unto the “hearers” placed in our midst. Therefore, we must never ever willingly MISREPRESENT the Sovereign “scriptures” in such a way that would in ANY way deceptively discredit our great – GRACIOUS God!

BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: This is NOT to deeply deny the firm FACT that “God” Himself does want His Holy “Word” to be fully “taught” in its proper CONTEXT through the confident capable capacity by the true “masters” of whom are personally “called” and supernaturally “gifted” by the “Holy Spirit” unto this magnificent – Ministry MANDATE!

In fact, the “Apostle Paul” also had this to “say” concerning the two “faithful” young purveying PASTORS named “Timothy” and “Titus” surely set Sovereignly under his tenacious “teaching” tutelage:

This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work – 1 Timothy 3:1

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth – 2 Timothy 2:15

Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers – Titus 1:9

Therefore, we must NOT embark upon a formal TEACHING ministry without a sound sense of the seriousness involved. Incidentally, “James” has in mind not ONLY the blatant “false teachers,” but also to INCLUDE the insolent ignorant, ultimately unqualified and unprepared or wrongly instructed handler of the “Word of God” itself. And there is NO doubt within the “assembly” to which “James” is writing, that there was some FAILURE to consider this great concern and people were aspiring to an OFFICIAL role as a “master” mandate with its Holy HONOR held with very little or worse yet, NO tangible thought as to the SEVERE implications involved. In other words, those who articulate and totally TEACH Biblical “truth” must take a personal inventory of their own “speech” to see if their “words” and their “doctrine” actually ALIGN with their “works” and are legitimate in the sight of our – Holy God!

Bridle the BODY!

Everyone “sins” in a myriad of ways and the “mouth” underlies the stern warning regarding foolishly HURRYING into the position of “teaching” the wonderful “Word of God” in full. Therefore, “James” then eagerly EXPANDS upon his grave concerns related to this EXTREMELY important subject matter:

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 – James 3:2

This word “offend” is a synonym for the word “sin” and refers to a MAJOR moral lapse or an offense against the Holy character and nature of our great “God” Almighty. Obviously, there is NO piously “perfect man” of whom will never themselves “stumble” as such. WHY? Because “we” indeed do ALL in some way “sin” in “many things” as declared throughout the Sovereign Scriptures. And “James” is simply saying that ONLY the spiritually mature and firmly grounded besetting “believer” is able to CONTROL their torrid “tongue” and thus as a righteous result, “bridle” their “whole body” with ALL of its fallen fleshly and wantonly wicked impulses. And although “we” will thus REMAIN in our “fallen” state until meeting “our” loving “Lord” in His great “glory” given, the true “follower” of “Jesus Christ” can overtly “overcome” their “sinful” tendencies. HOW? By consistently contending in DYING to their “flesh” and “being” continually fully “filled” with the “power” of the “indwelling” inspiration of the – Holy Spirit!

THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The “Apostle Paul” also excellently expounded on this terrific “truth” that contends that “no one is good” and thus can NOT personally “bridle” himself without Holy help! Therefore, it must be a supernatural wonderful “work” of “God” Himself granted within the waning “wicked” and deeply DEPRAVED heinous “heart” of mankind to “save” themselves from seething – SIN Settled!

In the third chapter of Paul’s excellent “epistle” expounded to the Romans he quotes directly from the very “Word of God” using several marvelous illustrations derived from the Old Testament Prophets to make this theological “teaching” point pertaining to the “doctrine” of Original Sin and its deeply devastating and disastrous decimation upon ALL of mankind…

As it is written:

“There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one”  (Psalm 14:1-3, 53:1-3 & Ecclesiastes 7:20)

“Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit” (Psalm 5:9)

“The poison of asps is under their lips” (Psalm 140:3)

“Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness” (Psalm 10:7)

“Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known” (Isaiah 59:7-8)

“There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Psalm 36:1)

This is “God’s” culminated comprehensive list of stinging statements taken DIRECTLY from His perfect, inerrant, eternal and surely SUFFICIENT wonderful “Word” pertaining to the desperate “depravity” found within the “whole body” of “sinners” to include ALL of “us” in kind – TAMING the Tongue!

Three ILLUSTRATIONS Provided ~ A Horse, Ship & Fire!

Next, to help us better “understand” this very IMPORTANT point concerning the “evil” of the human “tongue” tirade, “James” provides THREE illustrations:

ONE: Here “James” rightly REFERS to a “horse” to make his point:

Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body – James 3:3

HOW does one CONTROL a harnessed Horse? By constantly controlling its “tongue” in full. A metal “bit” is placed in the “horses’ mouths” and is attached to a harness fixed over its head. And one takes the reins and when this apparatus is PULLED against the horse’s “tongue” tightly, it WILL openly “obey” your every command. The horses’ “whole body” is now under complete subjection to your FULL control! As is true of an unbroken and unbridled beastly “horse” so it is of an un-submissive and “sinful” person of which are good for – Absolutely NOTHING!

TWO: Here “James” rightly REFERS to “ships” in further declaring his point:

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 3:4

HOW does one CONTROL a sailing Ship? By controlling its “rudder!” When the “pilot” applies POWER at the proper point, it is sufficient to CONTROL the whole vessel as he “desires” to do so. Therefore, “self-control” applied to the “mouth” is sufficient to “control” the whole person. The FOCAL point is to concentrate on the “control” of your “tongue” and if you do, you will completely COMMAND every other part of your life. HOW? By the perfect POWER of the – Holy Spirit!

THREE: Here “James” rightly REFERS to a “little fire” in summing up his point:

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! – James 3:5

HOW does one CONTROL a forceful Fire? By controlling its “kindle” in kind! The “tongue” may indeed be a “little member” of the “body” but It is a very powerful instrument for DESTRUCTION demised. When it boldly “boasts great things” in literal lies and heightened hypocrisy it will indeed TEAR apart people and churches as well as DESTROY relationships. It can MANGLE a marriage and it can DEVESTATE a family in kind. It can even LEAD to full-on murder and waning war waged. And if we do NOT get a “hold” of this languishing “little member” of our “whole body” beheld, it will coarsely CONTROL the eventual entirety of our lives. Essentially “James” says, “If we get CONTROL of our little TONGUE we can move EVERYTHING else!” And to this “we” too can surely say – AMEN!

HISTORICAL HINTS: In fact, the “Apostle Paul” also admonished the “brethren” in Colossi to “put off” absolutely all “filthy language” and other such “sins” of the untamed mangy “mouth” mustered… 

But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 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 – Colossians 3:8-11

Conversely, the tamed toiling “tongue” can ALSO be used to “build up” others, express “love,” “joy,” “peace,” “patience,” “kindness,” “goodness” as well as eager enthusiasm, encompassed encouragement, constant comfort and sure support when aptly “empowered” by the “Holy Spirit” Himself! The “Apostle Paul” then carefully CONTINUES his line of thought in this “righteous” regard:

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him – Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, “James” teamed together with “Paul” equally “admonish” each of “us” to take a very CLOSE look at “our” own “hearts” of which RULES over our willful “words” soundly spoken to the great – GLORY of God!

Beloved, although “we” will ALL surely “sin” in “many things” through our corrupt course, each of “us” individually MUST willingly “submit” our very lives unto the “Holy Spirit’s” perfect “control” over our “tongue” in full. WHY? Because of the purposed power of “sin” to corruptly “condemn” not only ourselves but of others as well if LEFT utterly unchecked in kind – PRACTICAL Points!

In closing:

The original Hebrew literary approach focused very often on the guilty “member” of the physical literal “body” rather than on the “heart” issue. For example, we read about “feet swift to shed blood” as if the “feet” were the culprits in a murder. We read about “eyes of adultery” as if the “eyes” were guilty of sexual impropriety. Of course we know it is the “sinful” and “fallen” fickle INNER person of which is to blame fully – GUILTY as Charged!

Therefore, the Jewish expressions regularly spoke of a particular part of the “body” as if it were the GUILTY party. Similarly, when “James” refers to the “mouth” and the “tongue” in kind, it’s NOT that he blatantly blames them as if they operated independently of other “fleshly” impulses. It is that they ARE simply the “sinful” bodily organ by which the “abundance of the heart” expresses itself and most clearly conveys – Tongue & Heart!

Someone has regarded the “tongue” in this way:

“Remember your tongue is in a wet place, and it can slip easily! Every one of us is carrying around a concealed weapon. All we have to do is open our mouths and it’s unconcealed.” 

The average person “speaks” about 18,000 to 25,000 words a day. In fact, some studies have shown that a MAN will “speak” approximately 25,000 words in a day and a WOMAN will “speak” approximately 30,000 words in that same day. And these numbers may indeed be quite accurate. The potential problem here is by the time the typical MAN comes home from a long day of work, he has already spent his 25,000 words… However, the WOMAN has most likely barely started using her 30,000 words and she is just – WAITING for her Opportunity!

We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!

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Blessings!
Shane K. Morin <><

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