The Christian And The Tongue

James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

Nothing has been found in nature that can compare to the double use of the tongue—to the blessing and cursing out of the same mouth.

Four Comparisons (James 3:11-12):

1. A fountain cannot produce sweet and bitter water at the same time

2. A fig tree cannot produce olives

3. A vine cannot produce figs

4. The ocean cannot produce sweet water

James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

5. Christians Can Control The Tongue.

(Gal 5:22-23; 1 Peter 3:10)

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

a[wise man] One who can bridle his own tongue and is qualified to teach others.

b[conversation] Greek: anastrophe (GSN-391), conduct; behavior. See pt. 2, Six Things in Which to Be an Example.

c[with meekness of wisdom] True wisdom is always accompanied with meekness and gentleness. Scholars are sometimes proud, overbearing, and disdainful. Such men have education, but not true wisdom.

6. Nine Marks Of Human Wisdom.

James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

a[But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts] If you have this condition of heart, you don’t have true wisdom. Even if you defend religion, you are false in your profession and lie against the truth.

b[bitter envying and strife in your hearts] Eight characteristics of false wisdom:

1.Bitter envying (James 3:14,16). Greek: zelos (GSN-2205) (See pt. 9, Seventeen Works of the Flesh)

2.Strife in the heart (James 3:14,16)

3.Glory in profession (James 3:14)

4.Earthly, having this life only in view (James 3:15)

5.Sensual, living only to satisfy the animal appetites (James 3:15)

6.Devilish, inspired by demons (James 3:15)

7.Confusion (James 3:16)

8.Every evil work (James 3:16)

James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

7. Nine Marks Of Divine Wisdom.

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

a [wisdom that is from above is first pure] Eight characteristics of divine wisdom:

1. Pure—chaste, holy and clean

2. Peaceable (Hebrews 12:14)

3. Gentle—meek, modest, and kind

4. Easily entreated—not stubborn or obstinate, but yielding to others

5. Full of mercy—always forgiving and performing acts of kindness

6. Full of good fruits (Galatians 5:22-23)

7. Without partiality—having no respect of persons (James 2:1-10)

8. Without hypocrisy—open, honest, genuine, and true

James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Peacemakers are continually recommending this divine wisdom to others.