Immanuel Lutheran Church, Mankato
Study of James -- Lesson #10
March 5, 2000
James 3:1-6
James 3:1-6 [NKJV]
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers,
knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.2 For we all stumble in
many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able
also to bridle the whole body.3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that
they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.4 Look also at ships: although
they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small
rudder wherever the pilot desires.5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts
great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!6 And the tongue is a fire,
a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole
body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Verse 1-2: Let not many
of you become teachers, my brothers, seeing that greater judgment we (teachers)
will receive. For we stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in
connection with a word, this one is a goal-reached man (and) able to also hold
in check his entire body.
- Apparently there was a problem (or at least potential
for a problem) in the congregations James was addressing that involved many
speaking and presuming to teach whenever they desired.
- In view of the preceding context, we can conclude that another
"lack of fruit" which James was observing was that people
were doing much speaking and presumed teaching when in actuality they
were bearing little/no true fruit.
- A reason James gives for advising caution in teaching is that "we
all stumble in many ways – many of those stumbles being with our tongues
("we have sinned against thee in thought, WORD, and deed"
– Confession of Sins, p. 6 hymnal). " This thought becomes a
"bridge" for James to continue (vv.3ff) with an expanded discussion
concerning the tongue. [cf: James 2:10, Romans 3:9-20, etc.]
- So great is the power of our tongues that if we were able to keep it in check,
we’d "have it made" because everything else would be less difficult. James’
continuing discussion on the tongue goes on to illustrate why he can say this—the tongue
is little but strong, powerful, and destructive!
- James is not discouraging the calling of teachers as such, but rather
he is reminding his readers of the special and significant responsibility placed
upon teachers. It is not a matter to be taken lightly. Read:
Ezekiel 33:7-9; Luke 12:48.
- Further, there is a special danger to teaching/leading:
Read: Romans 2:21-23; 1 Corinthians 9:27
- Teachers "will receive greater judgment" because they bear will
give an account to God concerning those under their care. Read:
Hebrews 13:17
- James’ reminders as to the responsibility placed upon teachers and
anyone who would teach/lead is valuable so that in our sinfulness we don’t
become cavalier in our approach, careless in our teaching, and over-abundant
in our words while at the same lacking in thinking and turning to the Word for
guidance (especially before speaking!). On the other hand, with James’
reminder, one might tend toward a feeling of inadequacy which leads to despairing
of the task. We ARE inadequate, but "I can do all things through
Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). "…who is
sufficient for these things? For we are not, as so many, peddling the word of God;
but as of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ. . .
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be
of God and not of us" (2 Corinthians 2:16-17; 4:7).
Verses 3-4 : Behold!/Look! we put bits in
the mouths of horses so that they obey us, and to turn their whole body side to side.
Behold!/Look! also at the ships—they are so large and are also driven by harsh winds,
but a ship goes side to side wherever the inclination of the pilot desires, by means of a
SMALL rudder!
- James first introduced the subject of the tongue in 1:26
- James gives two illustrations to support his earlier statement (v.2)
that if we can control the tongue then we will control the whole body.
There are other examples of SMALL controlling BIG – bits in horses’ mouths
and rudders on ships. Not only does the small control the big, but against
opposing forces—a strong-willed horse; a wind driven ship.
Verses 5-6: Likewise, the tongue is a
micro-part and (yet) it boasts great things. Behold!/Look! How great a fire
…How great a forest…it kindles! And the tongue IS a fire –
a world of wrong-doing/wickedness. It is set among our members in such a
way that it stains the whole body and sets on fire the "wheel of
birth/existence (Genesis)" and it is set on fire by Gehenna (hell).
- James draws the connection between the tongue and his earlier illustrations
and then adds one more—that of a small spark/fire creating a HUGE fire that consumes
a forest.
- Then James concludes THE TONGUE IS A FIRE!! One word (or volley of
words) can start and then fan the flames of the fire that destroys marriages,
friendships, that creates the fire of controversy and destructive behavior,
that kindles the "fire" that burns into another person through hurtful
words. Neither the fire of the tongue nor the pain it can cause are easily
extinguished. A word can be said, retracted, repented of, and even forgiven
by the one who was hurt, but can never truly be removed. Once a word is said,
its said. Oh, the forest may grow up greener and more lush than before, but upon
close inspection the scars of the forest fire will still be evident. ["A word
is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day." –
Poet, Emily Dickinson].
- In that little tongue is wrapped up a world of wrong-doing, and potential for
wrong-doing. Tongue + sinful heart ("Out of the heart proceed…" ~
Matthew 15:19, Mark 7:21) is a deadly combination. Because of the "wickedness
potential" of the tongue, it is a member of our body that stains and defiles the
whole body.
- On the other hand…James is not talking here about profitable use of the tongue.
However, we might also add that when used properly, the tongue can be the tool to ignite
the spark which grows into a fire of the Spirit’s work—when the word on the tongue is
GOD’S WORD!
- The whole course of existence, for day-to-day life and beyond, can be set on fire
by the tongue.
- Gehenna (a Greek name transliterated from the Hebrew "Valley of
Hinnom") was a valley outside Jerusalem (Joshua 15:8); a place of idolatry
(2 Kings 23:10; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6); a place of sin and retribution (Jeremiah 19).
It is said that at Jesus’ time, the Valley of Hinnom/Gehenna was used for burning
garbage and was, therefore, always on fire and smoldering. It is in the sense of a
place of misery, flaming torments, and judgment that Jesus used
this name for hell (Matthew 5:22, 23:25; Luke 12:5, etc.) Jesus’ use of the word and
this reference in James are the only time it occurs in the New Testament.
- The tongue starts fires here, but is itself set on fire by hell. In other
words, because of its sinfulness, the tongue can EASILY become a tool of Satan.
Because the tongue is intensely flammable and combustible, it can QUICKLY become a
tool of Satan.
SOLUTION FOR THE TEMPTATION
& SIN OF THE TONGUE?
"Put on the whole armor of God….above all taking the
shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked one" (Ephesians 6:11ff).
God has much to say regarding our tongues
(a few samples):
Proverbs:
Tongue ~ 10:11,19,20,31; 11:9,12,13;
12:18-19,22; 13:2-3; 14:3; 15:2; 16:23; 18:21; 20:15; 21:23; 24:26;
25:15,23; 26:28; 29:20
Gossip ~ 16:27; 17:4,9; 18:8; 20:19
Psalm 12:3-4; 73:8-9
1 Peter 3:10 (quoting Psalm 34).
{WCE}