God’s Renewing Word of Wisdom
Introduction
James 3:1-18: James exhorts his readers to watch what they say, and he uses various images to describe what the tongue is capable of. He then provides a description of two types of wisdom – worldly wisdom that is demonic and pure wisdom that comes from heaven above.
Scripture Reading
The Tongue
3 My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others. 2 All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being. 3 We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want. 4 Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go. 5 So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things.
Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame! 6 And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. 7 We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. 8 But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. 9 We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse other people, who are created in the likeness of God. 10 Words of thanksgiving and cursing pour out from the same mouth. My friends, this should not happen! 11 No spring of water pours out sweet water and bitter water from the same opening. 12 A fig tree, my friends, cannot bear olives; a grapevine cannot bear figs, nor can a salty spring produce sweet water.
The Wisdom from Above
13 Are there any of you who are wise and understanding? You are to prove it by your good life, by your good deeds performed with humility and wisdom. 14 But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don’t sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. 16 Where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is also disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. 18 And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.
Today’s Key Verse: James 3:17
The wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy.
Reflect
What is your reaction to the way in which James describes the tongue? Is the tongue hard to control? How do you react when someone gossips about another? What is the effect of words that are spoken in love? Here are two sayings that echo James’s teachings: “Gossip is so tasty – how we love to swallow it” (Proverbs 18:8) and “Kind words are like honey – sweet to the taste and good for your health” (Proverbs 16:24). Read also what Jesus says about what comes out of our mouths (Mark 7:14-23). How does James describe the two types of wisdom (verses 13-18)?
Pray
Lord God, guard my lips this day from uttering curses and anything that is displeasing to you. May I sing your praises and offer words of thanksgiving, and may I speak only words of love and encouragement to others. Teach me to seek after wisdom from above that is pure, peaceful, gentle, and friendly. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
James 4:1-17: James issues several warnings about criticizing others and about boasting.