May 24, 2009
Evening Service

James 3

 

Review:

1. In chapter two James told us that FAITH REMOVES DISCRIMINATION, and FAITH PROVES ITSELF BY WORKS.

 

Jam 3:1-18  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 

• Master meaning teacher.  a title very often applied to our Lord in the Gospels, is “Teacher,” translated “Master” in the King James Version Mat_8:19; Mat_9:11; Mar_4:38; Luk_3:12,
• Greater judgment.  More is expected, because we study, and read more.  We are supposed to know more.

(2)  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 

• Here again we see the importance of knowing that offences are going to come, and again it is important how we handle, or react to them.
• But notice, “If any man or woman offends not in word, the same is perfect, and able also to bridle the whole body.
• This means they have a very good supply of the Spirit of God.  There is nothing you can’t do when filled with God’s Spirit.

(3)  Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 

• I don’t know that much about riding horses, but I understand there is a more corrective bit for horses that are high spirited.  Maybe that’s what we need for people who allow their tongue to get them into trouble.  Just a little sharper nudge from the Holy Spirit.

(4)  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 

• And of course the rudder on a ship is very small in comparison with the whole boat, but it is what guides the boat.

 

I mentioned earlier when James told us to listen more, and talk less, that he would be getting back to our talking.

(5)  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  (6)  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

• I don’t know how many times we open our mouth, and we should have kept it shut.  Remember the quote I gave at the beginning of this letter.   “How noble was the response of Xenocrates! When he met the reproaches of others with a profound silence, someone asked him why he alone was silent. ‘Because,’ says he, ‘I have sometimes had occasion to regret that I have spoken, never that I was silent.”
• This type of admonition from James should really make us think twice before we speak.

(7)  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  (8)  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 

• We may not be able to completely control it, but I know we can do better than what we do.  Here again is the situation that some have more problems with this than others.  This may not be the “sin that doth so easily besets us.”  Remember James saying that?

(9)  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.  (10)  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. 

• Remember what Jesus said, “Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.”
• Do you see how God tries to help us be pleasing to Him?  He doesn’t want us to offend, and is trying to help us not too.
• Jesus also said, “why do you call Me Lord, and do not the things I ask you to do?”
• It’s important to work at doing the things He has instructed us to do.

(11)  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  (12)  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  (13)  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 

• Don’t just talk the talk, but walk the talk.
• And also do it with meekness, and wisdom.  Not with a holier than thou attitude.

(14)  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  (15)  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  (16)  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

• You shall know them by the fruit they bear.
• Notice, envying, and strife, is earthly, sensual, devilish.  This type of attitude is not from God.  Paul would say “are you not still carnal.?”

(17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 

• It’s not hard to see the fruits in one’s life, and if someone possesses these fruits he is of God.  The Holy Spirit abides in this house.

(18)  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

• Jesus said, Mat 5:9  Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

 

Our prayer this evening is “Lord help us to not only be hearers of Your Word, but doers.  Help us to receive this engrafted Word that is able to save our souls.”