James 3

James 3

Shawn Bumpers / General

James

Introduction

James 1:19 NKJV

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath;

James 1:26 NKJV

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

θρῆσκος thrēskos: devout or pious.

James 2:12 NKJV

So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.

v1-4

Meizōn (from Megas): greater

Krima: judgment

Romans 8:1 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Hebrews 5:12 NKJV

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

James 3:2 NIV84

We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.

James 3:2 NKJV

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.

We all frequently stumble. 

Sanctification.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 141:3–4 NKJV

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies.

The heart is the key to right speech.

Matthew 12:34 NKJV

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

A soft answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 12:22 NKJV

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

Proverbs 10:19 NKJV

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

v5-6

Our words can start fires. 

Proverbs 26:20–21 NKJV

Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindle strife.

Psalm 39:1 NKJV

I said, “I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me.”

Psalm 39:3 NKJV

My heart was hot within me; While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue:

Proverbs 17:27–28 NASB95

He who restrains his words has knowledge, And he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

Fiery words can defile a home, a place of business, or a church. 

Matthew 11:19 NKJV

The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”

James 3:6 LEB

And the tongue is a fire! The world of unrighteousness, the tongue, is set among our members, defiling the whole body and setting on fire the course of human existence, being set on fire by hell.

τροχός trochos: wheel, speaking of life connected like a wheel.

Colossians 4:6 NKJV

Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

v7-8

Also like a dangerous animal.

Matthew 12:34 NKJV

Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

v9-12

Proverbs 18:4 NKJV

The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

Proverbs 10:11 NKJV

The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Proverbs 13:14 NKJV

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 18:21 NKJV

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

1 Corinthians 16:18 NKJV

For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Philemon 7 NKJV

For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.

Philemon 20 NKJV

Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.

Water is life-giving and refreshing … but water also cleanses.

The bronze laver.

John 15:3 NKJV

You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

Where there was water, there was often plant life and trees.

Psalm 1:3 NKJV

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.

Proverbs 10:21 NKJV

The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.

John 6:63 NKJV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

If the tongue is inconsistent, there is something wrong with the heart. 

Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.