Controlling the human tongue (chap.3)
James speak about the importance of taming the tongue. Anyone who controls his or her tongue is a perfect person, a matured person and is able to keep the entire body in check. This chapter ends with the definition of the wisdom that comes from heaven. It is “peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (3:17).
He gives a few examples:
2-good examples: (3:3-4):
- Tongue is like a horse, when we put bits into horse’s mouth, he obeys and we can control the entire horse.
- Tongue is like a great ship which is driven by fierce winds, but the ship can be turned by a very small rudder whenever the pilot desires.
2-bad examples: (3:5-6)
- When tongue boasts great things which kindles fire and destroys the great forest by a small spark
- Tongue can pour out a world of iniquity and destroys the entire body and the fellowship and the churches. It can lead the members into hell and set on fire by hell. It can be too dangerous.
Admonishes for the believers: (3:7-16)
A complex part to tame: (3:7-8)
- People have tamed every kind of beast, bird, reptile, creatures of the sea etc. But no human being has perfectly tamed the tongue. The tongue is unruly evil and full of deadly poison.
Tongue is very contrast: (3:9-12)
- We praise God with the tongue and pronounce curses with the same tongue. With the same tongue proceed the blessings and curses. This is very contrast. Is it possible for a fig tree to bear olives or a grapevine to bear figs? Can a spring give out both fresh water and salt water at the same time?
The tongue is the reflection of the heart: (3:13-16)
- A wise person must show his conduct by his works. His works should be in the meekness of the wisdom.
- A person with bitter, envy and self-seeking should not boast or lie against the truth.
- Envy and self-seeking leads to confusion and evil things. (3:16).
Only Godly wisdom make a man to be godly person: (3:17-18)
- The wisdom God provides is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy.
- Every Christian must receive Godly wisdom to exercise his or her faith in this world.
- Only the faithful and righteous people bring the peace in this world.
- The Just shall live by faith.