James Chapter 3

More about Controlling the Tongue

3^:1 Not many of you should try to be teachers; you’ll get judged more strictly. ² In lots of ways we all slip up; if we don’t slip up in what we say, we’re perfect; and we can bridle our whole body. ³ We put bits in horses’ mouths so they’ll obey us, and we guide their whole body. ⁴ The same thing with ships. Though they’re so big and driven by strong winds, the helmsmen control them with a very small steering paddle wherever they want them to go. ⁵ The same thing with the tongue. It’s a small part of the body, but it makes big claims.  James 3:1-5

⁶ A little spark can set a big forest on fire! ⁷ People tame all kinds of animals and birds, reptiles and sea creatures; ⁸ but nobody can tame the tongue; it’s an uncontrollable evil full of deadly poison. ⁹ We bless the Lord and Father with it, and then curse people made like him. ¹⁰ Blessing and cursing from the same mouth! That shouldn’t be. ¹¹ Brackish and sweet water don’t gush out of the same spring, do they? ¹² A fig tree can’t bear olives or a vine yield figs, can it? What’s salty can’t make something sweet.                James 3:6-12

The Importance of Wisdom

¹³ Who’s wise and understanding among you? Show it in good, humble, wise living. ¹⁴ If you’re jealous and selfish, don’t act proud and lie to cover it up. ¹⁵ “Wisdom” like that doesn’t come from above; it’s earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ Where there’s jealousy and selfishness, people are unstable and exhibit all kinds of bad behavior. ¹⁷ Wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, open to reason, merciful, and yielding good fruits. It doesn’t waver or show hypocrisy. ¹⁸ Peacemakers use peace to plant righteous fruit.   James 3:13-18