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Sunday 07/20/25
Title: The Mouth reveals what the Heart believes
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The Mouth reveals what the Heart believes
Today we are continuing on in James chapter 3.
I want you to recall that in chapter 1 James gave the true test of real religion or worship of God which was The taming of the tongue. As James continued his teaching through chapter 2 he explained that faith, as in mere superficial belief in the truths of gospel, and even in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ by itself has no power to justify us unless it produces the fruit of correlating works. This is true regardless of how ardently these beliefs are held.
An unspoken though alluded to truth of chapter 2 is a connection to Jesus’s teaching found in John 15. The faith that saves is one that is relational and connects us in relationship to Jesus and not just a relationship of superficial knowledge about but intimate knowledge and involvement with. The faith that saves us also unites us indistinguishably as branches growing out of our Vine. This union is maintained by ongoing relational trust that always produces fruit which is to say it produces the character of Jesus Christ in us otherwise known as good works.
The beginning of James 3 could easily seem as if he is moving on to a new topic but in fact he is not. James is now doubling down on his former example of maturity which is the taming of the tongue by faith. The case he is making is that someone who can tame their tongue someone who has reached a certain level of maturity in Christ through their union with Him. Entering into this chapter with that knowledge is very helpful towards truly grasping the apostles point.
So let’s begin…
James 3:1-18,
“(1) Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, because you know that we will be judged more strictly. (2) FOR”
You can see by bringing up the desire to teach it might appear that James is shifting topics. However this is nothing more than a well crafted prelude into the topic, which is – the effect that a living faith in Jesus Christ will have on what comes out our mouths. This is because a living, growing relationship of trust with Jesus will have a powerful influence upon what we allow to live unchecked in our hearts.
Let’s continue…
“we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.”
So in contact James is not just talking about stumbling or falling into error in general but more specifically with our tongues. Our tongues betray the true sincerity of our heart’s worship of God.
James says we all stumbled into error in that department in many ways and if someone does not stumble it’s a sign of maturity. Because teaching the body of Christ is such a distinguished role of high responsibility, to assume that office without a certain level of maturity into Christ’s image can wreak destructive havoc in the body of the false teaching and compound the personal judgment of the one who teaches.
I don’t do this often but I’m going to say this in passing for your consideration. Anyone who teaches the word of God is taking upon themselves a great responsibility and putting themselves in some degree of jeopardy in terms of judgment. If that person is sincere and loves God and those in whom they are investing is a noble work and one that should be greatly honored and esteemed. In today’s world we honor those who entertain our flesh whether they be movie celebrities or sports heroes and the way we honor them is through high praise and high pay.
Interestingly, this is precisely what God commands of His church towards His teachers. They are to be held in high esteem and are worthy of double remuneration.
This is because what they are doing is making eternal investments in you and your growth into Christ’s image. As Paul says it, they labor with birth pangs to have Christ formed in you. If they minister to you in such lofty spiritual matters, is it really that much to ask that you minister back to them with your material wealth?
I’m certain that you know this but that is not a question I am posing but one Paul posed in 1 Corinthians 9:7-12,
“(7) Who ever goes to war at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? (8)
Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing?
(9) For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.
Is God really concerned with oxen? (10) Or isn’t He really saying it for us?
Yes, this is written for us, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop.
(11) If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?
(12) If others share this authority over you, don’t we even more? However, we have not used this authority; instead we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.”
James 3…
“(3) And if we put bits into the mouths of horses to get them to obey us, then we guide their entire bodies.
(4) Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs.
(5) So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze.”
One of the commentators I read from when studying this passage made reference to the great fire of Chicago which began with something as simple as an oil lamp in a stable falling over.
The Great Chicago Fire began on October 8, 1871 and lasted until October the 10th.
It consumed about 2,112 acres – nearly a full third of the city. It destroyed around 17,500 buildings, resulting in an estimated 300 fatalities. It left more than 100,000 residents homeless and caused damages estimated at the time of $222 million in 1871, which today would be equal to about $5.7 billion.
All, presumably from a little flame – a lantern falling in a stable!
Continue…
“(6) And the tongue is a fire!
The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies.
It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell.”
I think of the days of Phil Donahue about which this generation has no idea. But what happens on social media and even in public arenas where two people begin to get into a verbal brawl – it solicits eager attention. People gather around and egg it on, reveling in the wanton display of destructive language as if they were watching a sport. Little do they know that they are playing party too hell itself in aching on such destruction. And the casualties do not end with those immediately involved but spread to all who would revel as such a sight. It shows in graphic illustration just how depraved the human mind can get that such debauchery should entertain.
The values and teachings of scripture couldn’t be more different.
I’m reminded of a Proverb that we have not yet gotten to our trek ‘Thru the Bible’. It’s found in Pro 16:32 and says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.”
James 3…
“(7) For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. (8) But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
This is a place where I wish James had been a little bit more specific. While those who know his writings understand what he means, it could set before the immature an insurmountable task which they excuse since according to James it’s impossible to master anyway. But we know that there are many things that are impossible to man but that nothing is impossible with God. Paul tells us in Romans that if by the power and agency of the Holy Spirit we put to death the deeds of the body we will live.
James is not suggesting that the task is impossible, not at all! He is simply pointing out that it’s impossible for mere human beings to do on their own unaided by their Creator.
“(9) With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image.”
“(10) From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. These things should not be so, my brothers and sisters.”
Many a spiritual implication can be made from what James is about to say. I am going to exercise a certain amount of caution in going to extremes but I will mention the possibilities.
“(11) A spring does not pour out fresh water and bitter water from the same opening, does it? (12) Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a vine produce figs? Neither can a salt water spring produce fresh water.”
There are two primary and well-known schools of thought regarding this statement from James. I personally have a third which I have not yet read from anyone else though I’m sure someone else has thought of it.
#1. This doesn’t occur in nature. It is unnatural and therefore should not be practiced by any true Christian.
#2. It is actually quite impossible so even if you speak good things with your mouth, if bad things also come from it then the only thing which is really true about the soul from which these words come is that it is evil. That speaking evil is the only thing that truly represents what’s in that heart and when they speak good it is only in pretense.
#3. I think the word “produce” is key. To me this is very much like the passage in the first John chapter 3 where it says that whoever is born of God does not send its Christ remains in him and he cannot send because he’s been born of God. In that passage many people assume that it means they cannot send with impunity and while that is a truth I do not believe it to be the truth of the passage. I think what John is saying and by extension with James here is saying if a person’s heart is truly good and yet something evil comes out the mouth it did not originate from who they are but rather from the sin that dwells within them that is in their flesh. In like manner if someone who is truly wicked being themselves not born again any good that comes with their mouth is not truly indicative of who they are spiritually but is only spoken for selfish reasons and from insincere motives.
In any case the only two that I believe have any real application are reasons number two and three above.
“(13) Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct he should show his works done in the gentleness that wisdom brings.”
That last phrase has more to it that it appears to on the surface.
“…the gentleness that wisdom brings” – This is not an outward expression only, and the recipient is not merely our fellow man. Rather, it is an inwrought grace of the soul, and the expressions of it are primarily toward God – though our fellow man benefits from them.
This word is not readily expressed in English. Many translations attempt “meekness” as a good translation but that fails since in English that also implies or suggests weakness. This word for “gentleness” is a condition of mind and heart which demonstrates gentleness, in power. It is a balance born in strength of character.
Visually it is the 6’ 5” thug who could squash you with a tap, but who is kind, patient and gentle.
“(14) But if you have bitter jealousy and selfishness in your hearts, do not boast and tell lies against the truth.
(15) Such wisdom does not come from above but is earthly, natural, demonic.
(16) For where there is jealousy and selfishness, there is disorder and every evil practice.”
Now these are strong words associated with these behaviors, but it is warranted. Let’s take a look at what these words are actually saying.
“…bitter jealousy” is a deadly brew of soul poison. It is a jealousy born out of not possessing what someone else has to the point that one’s heart turns bitter, and full of harsh and cruel feelings.
“Selfishness” goes beyond a mind that is totally self-focused and includes the idea of contention, strife & rivalry like someone scheming against another in their pursuit of a public office.
These are narrow minded, myopic earthly pursuit, born from our lower nature apart from God and are incited by demonic influence. In fact it is very much akin to the word used for demon possession in the New Testament.
James explains the reason for this by telling us that where there is a soul filled with such jealousy and selfishness, disorder and every evil practice will certainly be there as well. Now THAT is serious!
“…disorder” – which means commotion, tumults, uproars – pandemonium.
“…evil practice” – vile, wicked, foul, corrupt, good-for-nothing, depraved, worthless, mediocre & unimportant.
Wuest translates it as, “…restlessness and instability and every base deed.”
I think these verses illustrate the truth of the third option above.
James is not indicating the Christians can’t do these things and that if one does do these things they are not really a Christian. I think he’s trying to point out that when we give in to such base instincts we are literally being influenced by the devil to do his work and produce fruits after his likeness.
Such a thought suggested to any true Christian will make them shudder and certainly the hope and intention of James here is to make them take stock and amend their ways in response.
“(17) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. (18) And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.”
Again I turn to Wuest for clarity. He renders these last two verses like this –
“(17) But the wisdom which is from above is essentially pure, then peaceable, sweetly reasonable, satisfied with less than its due, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free from insincerity. (18) And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
It is not often that I quote from Calvin but in this case I think his words are very good. He says regarding Verse 18,
“Those truly wise towards God, while peaceable and tolerant towards their neighbors, yet make it their chief concern to sow righteousness, not cloaking men’s sins, but reproving them with such peaceable moderation as to be the physicians, rather than the executioners, of sinners.” [CALVIN]
Now so that you do not miss the development of this thought and where James was intentionally headed when he taught about the tongue, let’s read the first few verses of James 4.
James 4:1-4,
“(1) Where do the conflicts and where do the quarrels among you come from?
Is it not from this, from your passions that battle inside you?
(2) You desire and you do not have;
you murder and envy and you cannot obtain;
ou quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask; (3)
you ask and do not receive because you ask wrongly, so you can spend it on your passions.
4) Adulterers!
Do you not know that friendship with the world means hostility toward God?
So whoever decides to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy.”
So you can readily see this is building upon all James has been saying from the beginning, so that he can arrive at this point of confrontation of these Jewish saints.
We will continue in James 4 next week!
Blessings!
Tri
