James
3
English
Standard Version Anglicised (ESVUK)
Taming
the Tongue
3
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,[a] and set on fire by
hell.[b] 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,[c] 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.
The
Bible Panorama
James
3
V
1–7: TONGUE’S WONDER Like a horse’s bit or a ship’s rudder, the tongue is a
small member of the body with a gigantic and disproportional influence on the
direction to be taken. It can be like a spark that ignites a forest fire. It is
easier to tame wild animals than the human tongue. It is the hardest part of
the body to tame, and may be influenced by hell itself. For this reason, those
who use words in teaching other people will be judged more strictly about their
own use of words.
V 8–12: TONGUE’S WICKEDNESS The tongue is
untameable by man. Its poisonous use reveals evil within, hypocrisy and double
standards that make our conversation so inconsistent and dishonouring
V 13–18: TRUE WISDOM How we need God’s wisdom!
It is available from on high and is pure, leading to a holy and open lifestyle
of gentleness and graciousness. Envy and bitter self-seeking come from worldly
wisdom influenced by the devil. As God works in us, to make us wise and
understanding, our conversation will reflect that.
The
Bible Panorama. Copyright © 2005 Day One Publications.
Yours
by His Grace
Blair
Humphreys
Southport,
Merseyside
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