THE GOSPEL OF
CHRIST
SPREADING THE SOUL-SAVING MESSAGE OF JESUs
(Chapters 3-4)
Introduction by narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST. Spreading the soul-saving message of Jesus. And now, Timothy Sparks and Ben Bailey.
Ben Bailey:
“But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (Jas. 3:8). I’m Ben Bailey.
Timothy Sparks:
And I’m Timothy Sparks. Welcome to our study of the Book
of James. These lessons are being brought to you by loving, caring members of
the
Ben Bailey:
James begins chapter 3 by saying in verse one, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” I do not think that James was trying to discourage people from becoming teachers. Rather, I think he was trying to impress upon future teachers the importance of teaching the Word of God, and the power of that Word. If you are a teacher of the Word of God, you must take that responsibility very seriously. Being a teacher is not something to be taken lightly, and is not something to be entered into without considering the ramifications. As James offers these thoughts, he has in mind the power of the tongue and the power of words. Jesus said in Matthew 12:37 that by our words we will be justifed, and by our words we will be condemned. We shouldn’t utter idle words, but instead we should offer words that will help those who hear them. If we, as teachers of the Word of God, say things that cause people to be lost, then we will receive a much stricter judgment. James does not intend to offer a prohibition against teaching, but instead offers a warning to those who teach. It is not enough for a teacher to possess “the gift of gab.” He or she must be able to control the tongue, and must be sure to say the things that are necessary, right, and helpful to others.
Timothy Sparks:
James likens the tongue to the small bits that are placed into a horse’s mouth, and by which (when attached to the bridle and reins) a horse can be guided. He also likens the tongue to a small rudder that is able to steer a huge ship. James goes on to say that although the tongue is a small member of the body, it nevertheless possesses incredible power. In James 3:5-6, James says, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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.” The tongue is capable of causing great damage. In verse 8, James says, “No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” Just as the bits control the horse, and the rudder controls the ship, so the tongue controls the body. When James says that “no man can tame the tongue,” he is referring to the fact that, on our own, we cannot control it. We need Christ’s help, because He is the One Who can help us learn how to exercise self-control. The tongue does indeed possess great power. Wars have been started just by words flowing from someone’s tongue. People can be moved to do all sorts of things by the words that issue from our tongues, so, yes, we must be very careful about what we say and how we say it. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” What we have put into our hearts and minds is what we will speak. James says that with the tongue, we “bless our God and Father, and curse men” (vs. 9). He then observes, “My brethren, these things ought not to be so” (vs. 10). We must not overlook the forcefulness or impact of our words.
Ben Bailey:
In James 1:19, James says, “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” Throughout the Book of Proverbs, one of the messages is that we ought to be very careful about how we use our tongue, and about what we say. Sometimes, it is not the man of many words who people think is wise, but the man of few words—the man who puts a lot of thought behind what he says, and really tries to say it correctly. Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 12:10 that “the preacher” thought long and hard about how to choose just the right words. That’s a good example of a man who wants to get his point across in the best way possible. The Bible has much to say about how we must control our tongue. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” “Grace” refers to speaking with kindness. “Salt” refers to seasoning our speech properly so that we say things that are beneficial to people. The old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all,” has more than a grain of truth to it. Yes, sometimes we have to speak with firmness, but even then, what we say should be said kindly and in a decent tone. In Ephesians 4:15, we are commanded to “speak the truth in love.” Sometimes we say things in such a harsh manner that people end up missing what we say, and instead concentrate only on how we say it. We need to be careful to speak in the manner in which God would want us to speak. I’m often amazed at the type of language that some Christians use. In Colossians 3:8ff., and Ephesians 4:25ff., we are told not to let any filthy communication come out of our mouths. We as Christians are supposed to speak that which is wholesome, good, and upright. We should never hear of Christians using curse words, yet we do hear of such things happening. When that happens, Christianity isn’t promoted; ungodliness is! Christians should not speak in such a manner, but instead should speak so that people know they are Christians, and so that Christ can be glorified.
Timothy Sparks:
The writer of Proverbs said, “Life and death are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21). The tongue is such a small member of the body, yet it can wield such great power—for good, or for evil! We need to ask ourselves: “Are we going to let filthy speech issue forth from our mouths?” Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:29, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” We must not let any foul speech come from our mouths. Colossians 4:4 makes it clear that we must not engage in such things. We must be known as people who speak things that are right, good, and true. One writer put it like this: “When to others you are tempted to talk, five things observe with care: to whom you speak, of whom you speak, how, when, and where.” We need to remember that. We need to ask ourselves: “Is what I’m saying good, useful, and true?” If we judged everything that came out of our mouths by such criteria, how it could improve our speech! James stresses how important it is for us to allow God to be the One Who controls our tongue. In the end, however, we must come to realize that it’s not just a matter of the tongue, but also a matter of the heart.
Ben Bailey:
In James 1:5, we are admonished to pray for wisdom. In James 3:13-16, we are going to learn the difference between earthly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. James writes,
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
If my conduct is not appropriate, then I am not wise. If I’m self-promoting and self-seeking, then I’m not interested in, or exhibiting, true wisdom. If I promote bitterness and gossip, that’s not using true wisdom. James’ point is that heavenly wisdom applies to our daily lives. The Proverbs writer said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Prov. 1:7). If we want to make the very best choices in life, then we must have a reverence for God that causes us to search through His Word to find the principles that can help us know what is right and wrong. “True wisdom” is what the Book of James is all about.
Timothy Sparks:
True wisdom always
comes from above. As James said, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is
from above” (Jas. 1:17). God is the source of true wisdom. We need to seek
those things that are right, just, true, and holy—in other words, heavenly
wisdom, which is always appropriate. In Philippians 4:8, Paul wrote, “Finally,
brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are
pure, whatever things are lovely,
whatever things are of good
report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything
praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” We need to ask God for wisdom (Jas.
1:5) to help us with the things we encounter in this life. Do you remember why
Solomon was so blessed? It wasn’t because he asked God for power, riches, prosperity,
fame, or the death of his enemies. It was because he asked God for a heart of
understanding—he asked for wisdom! God told him that because he did not ask for
wealth, fame, or the death of his enemies, he would receive a heart of
understanding, but he also would receive power, riches, fame, and prosperity. Solomon
ended up being known as the wisest man of his age. We, too, need to seek such
wisdom, realizing that this life is brief and fleeting. We need to concentrate
on sending our treasures “on ahead” to Heaven. Jesus taught that we should
“seek first the
Ben Bailey:
When James wrote, “the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable,” he stressed that Christians are to be people who seek after peace. Jesus stressed this very point in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5. In Luke 2:14, the angels, in announcing Christ’s birth, said, “Peace on earth, and good will toward men.” We learn from Isaiah 9:6 that Jesus is the “Prince of Peace.” Paul pointed out in Philippians 4:6-9 that Christians have a “peace that surpasses understanding” because they serve the God of peace. As part of the wisdom that we exhibit, we should be people who promote peace, not strife. We shouldn’t be causing problems; instead, we should be part of the solution. This type of attitude begins in our hearts. If we are at peace with God, then we can be at peace with all men. Heavenly wisdom, according to James, is “gentle.” We are not supposed to be the type of people who are abrasive, caustic, or out to pick a fight. Our demeanor must be one of gentleness, and we ought to approach every situation in a kind, loving way. We are to be people who, to use James’ phrase, are “willing to yield” (vs. 17). This carries with it the idea of being able to be submissive. This does not mean, of course, that we are to submit to every idea that comes along. James is speaking of how we must be willing to yield to the God of Heaven. We must be willing to yield our will to Him, so that we can do the things that are pleasing to God. If we possess “true wisdom,” we will be people who are filled with love, and who possess the various characteristics described throughout Scripture that are intended to make us the people God wants us to be. If we really want to be wise, the best way to accomplish that is to begin by putting our noses into the Bible! True wisdom will not be found in great universities or the philosophies of men. Rather, it will be found within the Word of God. Solomon sought, first and foremost, wisdom of God. When he did, everything else fell in place. True wisdom always puts God first!
Timothy Sparks:
James goes on to say, “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (Jas. 3:18). Every Christian should exemplify purity, gentleness, wisdom, and peace, since, as James points out, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace.” This leads James to say, in the first four verses of chapter 4,
“Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
The problem is pride, which promotes strife. In chapter 4,
James contrasts “friendship with the world” with “friendship with God.” He
asks, “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?” He
then says, “Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself
an enemy of God.” James is saying that when we are self-seeking, and when we
are striving to please only ourselves, then we align ourselves against God. The
world may be our friend, but God is not. We have ended up in a spot that is the
exact opposite of where we ought to be. As you read James 4, you need to ask
yourself if you are a friend of the world. Is your main goal just to seek after
“the gusto of life”? Are you worldly minded? Is worldliness overwhelming you?
Or, are you (as you ought to be) “in” the world, but not “of” the world? Jesus
said in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of
this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the
Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.” The
Ben Bailey:
James sets “God” and “pride” in direct conflict with one another when he writes, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (Jas. 4:6). James goes on to say, “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (vs. 7). The problem of pride, which began as early as the Garden of Eden, is here contrasted with the attitude that people who serve God ought to have. God Himself is not a prideful God. He gave His only Son for us. He wants the very best for us. He loves us. It’s not about Him; it’s about us. We ought to have the same mindset. We sometimes fall prey to the very materialism about which James spoke in chapter 4 verse 4. We get to the point where we are “in it just for ourselves.” This is not right. We must learn to put God and Christ first, others second, and ourselves last. We must do all we can to be pleasing to God. If we do that, we will quickly learn that it’s not about me; it’s about others. We will begin by asking ourselves, “How can we help others? How can we encourage them, and bring them to Christ?” Yes, we must watch out for our own souls, of course. We must want to go to Heaven more than anything else. Paul observed in 1 Timothy 3:7 that the devil was prideful (which, in the context, is why an elder cannot be a novice). In Genesis 3, when the devil tempted Adam and Eve with the promise that they could be like God, it was an act born of pride and self-worth. Throughout the millennia, the devil has subverted the Word of God, and has done many harmful things to people, because of his own pride. Surely one of the most “prideless” people was Jesus Christ. Matthew 9:10 tells us that He didn’t even have a place to lay His head. He didn’t have any material possessions. He may have even gone hungry on occasion. Everything he did was for others. In Luke 19:10, we learn that He came “to seek and to save the lost.” If there is a perfect example of “pridelessness,” surely it is Jesus. We must imitate His example (1 Cor. 11:1).
Timothy Sparks:
The cure for pride and worldliness is humility. James
tells us, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the
Lord, and He will lift you up” (Jas. 4:10). He also admonishes us to
“resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will
draw near to you” (vss. 7-8). We learn from 1 Peter 5:5-6, “Be clothed with
humility, for God resists the proud,
But gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time.” James stresses the same type of humility.
If we are prideful, then we are merely letting the devil have his way with us.
But if we are “clothed with humility,” then we are doing what God wants us to
do. It has been said that “self-made men worship their creator.” In other
words, they worship themselves. We cannot do that and be pleasing to God. God
cannot use a man who is already too full of himself to be filled with God, His
Spirit, and His Word. Pride has no place in the life of a Christian, or in the
church of our Lord. If we do the
“lowering,” God will do the
“raising.” If we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He, in His own time
and way, will exalt us.
We hope you will seek to be a friend of God, and to do His will every day of your life. You can do that by believing in His Son Jesus and by repenting of your sins as you change your heart and your actions. You then can confess that Christ is God’s Son, and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. After that, you can continue to live a faithful life, and enjoy Heaven with Him forever.
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Narrator accompanied by a cappella singing:
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST is brought to you by loving, caring members of the church of Christ. The McLish Avenue church of Christ in Ardmore, Oklahoma, oversees this evangelistic effort. For a free CD or DVD of today’s broadcast, please write to:
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1. What was James trying to get across when he said, “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment” (Jas. 3:1)?
2. Explain what Jesus meant when He said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:37).
3. James liked the tongue to two inanimate objects. What were they?
4. What point was James stressing by comparing the tongue to the two inanimate objects mentioned in question #3 above?
5. Explain Jesus’ statement in Matthew 12:34, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.”
6. What did Paul mean when he said in Colossians 4:6 that our speech should be “seasoned with salt”?
7. Explain the connection between Ephesians 4:29 and Colossians 3:8.
8. What was Solomon saying in Ecclesiastes 12:10?
9. According to James 3:16, when you find envy and self-seeking, what else do you generally find?
10. Explain how “life and death are the in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21).
11. When James says that true wisdom is “willing to yield” (3:17), what does he mean?
12. Explain James’ statement (3:18), “The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
13. What does pride promote?
14. Explain the difference between “heavenly wisdom” and “earthly wisdom.”
15. According to Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 3:7, what was behind the devil’s temptation of Adam and Eve?
16. James 4:10 provides a cure for wrongful pride. What is that cure?
17. Explain the connection between James 4:10 and 1 Peter 5:6.
18. What two things are in direct conflict, according to James 4:6?
19. What does it mean to be “of” the world, but not “in” the world?
20. Explain what James meant when he said that the wisdom of God is “peaceable.”
THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST,