When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James is going to quite a bit of detail here to ensure that we understand how big an issue our speech is. We’ve read so many news reports of fights, many ending in murder, where it is reported that the incident began with “an exchange of words”. Some of us have been emotionally wounded for life by the careless or disparaging words of a parent, relative or teacher. What’s in our heart is revealed in our words. Luke 6:45 – “The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

In this passage, James makes three points relating to our speech. First, careless words can have an outsized effect upon our lives. “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” Have you ever lost a job because you spoke out before thinking it over? Have you ever lost a friendship that way? How many marriages have been seriously damaged or even ended by hurtful or disparaging words spoken within the home. Perhaps the reason the effects of careless or hurtful words is so significant is because we do instinctively understand the principle of Luke 6:45, that our speech reveals our inner beliefs.

Second, “no human being can tame the tongue.” We try. Oh, how much we try! Our innermost feelings and hard-core beliefs will, however, eventually leak out in our unguarded words. The only way to truly tame our tongue is to change our hearts, so that what leaks out in unguarded speech will be peace and purity, God’s truth reflected from our hearts through our speech. There is a wonderful prayer song written by Eddie Espinosa which begins with the lines “Change my heart oh God / Make it ever true”. I don’t know where he got his inspiration, but it may have come from Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”

Finally, James discusses what nonsense it is to use the same tongue to speak reviling words of hate at one time, and gentle words of grace and praise later. It just doesn’t make sense, but that’s what we do. If we approach a spring of water, it will be either fresh or salty. It won’t change its character over time. When we return to the same freshwater spring the next day, the water is still fresh. If we initially found it salty, it will always be salty. The only way we can be so inconsistent is to by lying when we’re speaking kindly! As James writes, “this should not be.”

James is also setting us up for what’s coming next, his discussion of true wisdom.

My lesson from this scripture is that my speech reveals what’s in my heart. If I don’t like what’s being revealed, my heart is the place to start. My application is to make the words of Psalm 51:10 – “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” – my daily prayer.

“Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.”

In the verses previous to this, James has been writing about faith that is demonstrated in a changed life, in the ways in which believers serve others in Jesus’ name. In what I believe is an extension to the previous discussion, James now turns to those whose “works” include the teaching of God’s Word.

In one sense, we are all teachers. Jesus said to His disciples “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” If you are Jesus’ disciple, you are His emissary to the world, sent out by Him to speak His Words of love and redemption to all the world.

It is more likely, however, that James is referring here to those who would be appointed and recognized as teachers within the church. These teachers are also Jesus’ emissaries to the world, but in this case to the church, to teach the Word in depth, and challenge Jesus’ disciples to become more closely conformed to the image of Jesus. These teachers bear a special degree of responsibility, as they are quite literally representing Jesus to those whom they teach. This is an enormous responsibility! It should never be taken on casually, but rather only with much though and prayer, and in Christ-like humility.

WHY should not many of us become teachers?

As I write this, I can think of five reasons. James may have had more than that in mind. The first is that teaching requires a special degree of knowledge, which not everyone will attain. One who teaches should know what he/she is talking about! No one wants to be taught by someone who just picked up the book and is “winging it”. God’s fundamental message is simple, but the details and applications are complex. Teaching should arise out of a WEALTH of knowledge, backed by significant EXPERIENCE in applying the Word to real-life experiences. A teacher should be one who ABIDES in God’s Word daily (John 8:31), and whose LIFE is an ongoing demonstration of his FAITH.

The second reason is that a teacher within the church is one whom many look up to for an EXAMPLE, so that they may learn to apply God’s work to their own lives and put their faith on active display for the world to see. A teacher who cannot consistently set and example for his/her students to follow should not have become a teacher.

The third reason is the awesome RESPONSIBILITY borne by a teacher. The teacher is, through both his/her words and actions (daily life), representing Jesus to the people he/she is teaching. In secular life, we may sometimes have a job which calls upon us to go out into public and represent our employer to the public. This is a serious responsibility, and if we fail to be faithful representatives, it does not end well. How much more of a responsibility is it to represent the eternal creator God to a lost and dying world, in need of Jesus’ redeeming love?

The fourth reason is the opportunity for temptation to become prideful, to think of ourselves as teachers as somehow more significant or holy than those whom we would teach. May it never be!! Pride is one of Satan’s greatest and most insidious tools, and he’s not hesitant to use it within the church to sow discord and division. When we presume to teach, we put a very large target on our backs.

Lastly, James points out in our text of the day that teachers will come under a greater JUDGEMENT. Is he writing here about God’s judgement, or mans? I believe it can be read and applied either way.

From the perspective of man’s judgement, as the teacher is looked upon as an example for the church, any spiritual failings of the teacher are magnified, and often assumed to be representative of the church. That’s why a church member being caught in an extra-marital affair is just a bit of gossip, but when a pastor does the same, it’s front-page news.

We are assured, however, that God is also listening to every word spoken by the teachers who represent Him to His church, and God has a perfect memory! Jesus said “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37) By the way, when Jesus spoke these words, He was speaking to the Pharisees … teachers of the Law!

So, what’s my takeaway from my study of this verse? How will I apply it to my life today? Here are my thoughts:

1. I am most unlikely to ever again be found in front of a classroom, or in front of a congregation.
2. If I ever am to teach again, it will only be because what I have to say is just spilling out of me, and cannot be contained.
3. If I ever am to teach again, it will only happen after MUCH prayer, and seeking His will.
4. Anything and everything I write and publish MUST be based on God’s Word. There’s no room for Rod’s opinions here.

James 2:14: “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?”

Read the entire section.

With appropriate apologies to the pastors and Sunday School teachers I had in my elementary-school years, I believe I was ill-taught back then. These verses were so often quoted along with the message: Get out there and WORK! You’ll go to Hell if you’re a lazy Christian!

I think they missed the point that James was making.

There is no amount of Christian work that can make any difference at all with regard to our eternal salvation, or lack thereof. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) I cannot work my way into Heaven.

BUT, if we are saved by faith, something which is internal and cannot be seen, how do we know we are saved? How can someone else know that we are saved?

We often use the term “saving faith” to distinguish that faith which saves from the so-called faith with is really and intellectual belief in facts. James speaks of this pseudo-faith in today’s passage, in verse 19: “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Saving faith, on the other hand, is a faith which transforms our lives. This is the faith which James is talking about here. The “works” James is talking about are the outward manifestations which answer the all-important question “How has your faith in Jesus changed your life?” James answers “I will show you my faith by my works.” Faith is shown to the world around us by the difference it makes in the way we treat people, the way we respond to challenging circumstances, by the inner peace with which we face our most difficult trials. When I think of a transformed life, I think of my friend Jack Robinson, as he lay dying of pancreatic cancer in the hospital. He was so cheerful, with such an outpouring of kind words and inspiration, his hospital room quickly became the most cheerful place in the hospital! Nurses and even some of the other patients were coming to him for a dose of peace in their chaotic worlds.

Some may have found it confusing when James wrote “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?”. Some will trip over the phrase “justified by works“, but you’ve got to think it through just a bit to get James’ point. We’re instructed in Genesis 15 “And he [Abraham] believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” So which was it? Was Abraham justified by his faith, or by his works?

James actually gives us the answer in the next verse: “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” Abraham was justified by his faith, but his faith was demonstrated through his action of offering his son Isaac on the altar. This is the whole point James is making to us; that our faith must be demonstrated by the difference it makes in our lives.

So, the takeaway from these verses for me is that faith must be seen in action to demonstrate to myself, and to God, that it is real. Here are the questions I’m asking myself about this scripture:

1. Does my faith in Jesus change the way I treat people? Am I more patient and more compassionate because of Jesus?
2. Does my faith cause me to treat everyone with equal dignity, and show that I value each person as God values them?
3. Does my faith in Jesus give me a peace that passes all [human] understanding when I’m sick or in pain? When my family is struggling?
4. Does my faith in Jesus enable me to fully and completely put my future into His hands, fully trusting in His provision?

James 2:1-13 on Biblegateway

This is a rather long passage, so I’ve not copied it all in this post, but I strongly encourage you to open the link above and read it.

There are four principles I have observed in these 13 verses, which I’ll focus on here. The first, rather obvious one, is the sin of partiality. James takes issue with the Jewish audience (James 1:1) to whom he’s writing, that they are sinning by showing a preference to some in their assembly over others. In this case, the wealthy are honored, while the poor are treated as a burden.

This is not a problem limited to James’ time! In many churches, I’ve observed that the church leadership tends to be wealthier than the average member. Many outreach programs are targeted towards the wealthy suburbs rather than the poorer inner city. When a visitor walks into YOUR church, to what degree is your welcome based on their dress and appearance? James says that to make a distinction between them is sin! (v. 9)

Or do you find yourself making distinctions on other criteria? Maybe apparent wealth is no factor. Do you prefer those afflicted with “respectable sins” and shun those with bigger, uglier sins like addiction, pornography, or criminal violations? James says that to make a distinction between them is sin!

Principle 2: God has chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith (v. 5). Just because someone is poor in this world doesn’t mean they’re spiritually poor. In my personal experience, giving devotionals to the homeless (just before we fed them breakfast), I’ve been challenged and enlightened by some of our guests, who showed their great knowledge of the scriptures and their profound faith in God. One of the challenges of wealth is that those who have little concern for worldly provisions can be greatly tempted to think they are self-sufficient. They don’t need God. The poor, however, know they are not self-sufficient, and that they need God’s provision and constant care every day.

The third principle is found in verse 10: “For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.” This totally does away with the idea that “I’m not that bad”, or “at least I haven’t …”. If you’ve sinned at all, regardless of what the sin is, you’ve separated yourself from God, and need to be reconciled to Him to be saved (Romans 5:10-11). In truth, there is no such thing as respectable sins; all sin separates us from God. This is, I believe, the big downfall of nominal Christians, in believing that by going to church, singing hymns, and offering a few dollars, they’re OK with God, while their neighbor who lives the same way and commits the same sins is going to Hell because he doesn’t go to church.

Our last principle is found in the end of verse 13: “Mercy triumphs over judgment.” Because God is just, his justice demands judgement, and our sins would condemn each of us to eternal separation from God. But His mercy triumphs over His judgement, because He allows Jesus to take upon Himself our sins, our judgement and our punishment, so that He can extend His merciful forgiveness. These four words are a pretty good summary of the whole Bible.

The question this brings to my mind is whether my mercy towards mankind triumphs over my judgement? Do I observe the faults and failings of my wife, child or neighbor with mercy, or with judgement? What about the driver of that other car? What about the other people with whom I interact on social media?

So, here are the questions I’m asking myself this week:

1. Am I showing partiality, preferring some associations over others?
2. Am I trusting in my own ability to provide for my needs, or am I trusting in God?
3. Am I giving myself a “bye” for my so-called respectable sins, or am I seeking to purge ALL sin from my life?
4. Am I extending mercy to those around me, or am I judging them?

Brandon, if you’re reading this, you don’t need to stomp on my toes this week. I think I’ve already gotten them pretty well with these questions!

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

James was writing to “beloved brothers”, not just to casual acquaintances. When you truly love someone, you want to warn them away from bad choices and bad habits which will cause them harm. James felt the same way. In this case, he was warning his brothers in Christ about impulsivity and volatility.

Isn’t it just human nature to do the very opposite … to be slow to hear, but quick to speak and quick to anger? As we’ve written before, what we refer to as “human nature” is really the sin nature which lives in all of us. Paul makes that quite clear in Romans 3, where he writes “None is righteous, no, not one“, and “All have turned aside“. An impulsive response without waiting to hear all the facts often leads to anger, and unjustified anger does not bring anyone closer to obtaining the righteousness of God. It is our impulsive response to trials and troubles which often leads us in to “filthiness and rampant wickedness”.

James urges his readers, including us, to turn that human habit around, to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger“, so that we have a chance to call upon God’s strength to support and guide us, that we may avoid the evils which impulsivity and anger would lead us into.

James also encourages us to “receive with meekness the implanted word“. Note that the word is IMPLANTED. God’s word won’t do us much good if we just drive by and glance at it. It won’t have much effect upon us if we just read through a few perfunctory verses without giving much thought to their meaning and application. God’s word must be firmly implanted in our hearts to truly change our lives. In the next verse following today’s passage, James writes “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” Being doers of the word is how we demonstrate that His word has been implanted in our hearts.

Here’s how I’m applying this scripture to myself, by asking these questions:

1. Am I a better (more patient, more thorough, more compassionate) listener than I used to be? Than I was last year?
2. Am I slow to react to negatively-perceived things that people do and say, first giving thought to their circumstances and points of view I might not know about?
3. Am I living a cleaner, less-sinful life than I was last year? Am I demonstrating that God’s word is taking root in my heart?

Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

In these verses James tells us something very important about the nature of God; something that should bring us much comfort and strength. First, he encourages us not to be deceived, or more to the point, not to deceive ourselves. Going back to his previous teaching that “God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one“, James makes the point again that only good and beneficial things proceed from God. He cannot be the source of our temptations, because those are harmful to us, in separating us from Him. Is there anything good, any blessing, anything beneficial in your life? God is the source of all good things! Psalms 31:19 says “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you.”

By the way, this passage answers another frequent debate. Is mankind fundamentally good, or fundamentally evil? Consider that God made us. Everything that comes from God is good. That must therefore include us. God doesn’t make junk!

James goes on to mention a second attribute of God: “… with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God is what He is; He does not change. This should bring us great comfort! Not only do all good things, and ONLY good things come from God, but He isn’t going to change His mind about that later on! We’ve all had relationships or friendships that were a great blessing at first, but soured after time, disagreements or unfortunate events. We never have to worry about that with God. He loves us totally (John 15:13), and He isn’t going to change His mind about that.

So what’s the lesson in this for me? First, in my relationship with God, I can expect nothing from Him but good things, blessing and comfort. God always knows what’s best for me, and is always providing His best for me … whether I realize what’s best or not. If I ever doubt that, that’s my failing, my misunderstanding. God is good, ALWAYS!

Second, God’s goodness will never fail, will never change. God has already decided that I’m worth giving the life of His only son to redeem, and no matter what I do, He’s never going to change His mind about that. I can come to God with total confidence in His eternal goodness.

The question I need to ask myself is this: What am I doing in my life that shows my doubt in His eternal goodness? In what way am I trying to provide for my own needs with poor substitutes for God’s blessings?

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

In this passage, James links his previous comments about remaining steadfast under trials with the specific trial of temptation. He reminds us that we will find BLESSING in steadfastness under trial. Among those blessings is a “crown of life”. This suggests that while all who place their faith and trust in Jesus and repent will be saved, some in Heaven will be additionally blessed. This crown is mentioned again in Revelation 2:10, in giving encouragement to the church in Smyrna: “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

James also reminds us of our primary motivation for remaining steadfast under trial. It’s not to receive the Crown of Life, it’s because WE LOVE HIM. It is only natural, when we love someone, to try to please them. We give a bundle of roses to a girlfriend, hoping to please them; hoping she’s not allergic to roses! In marriage, we wash the dishes and mow the lawn, hopefully unbidden, in an effort to please our wives. When our children come home from school, we listen with rapt attention to their school-day tales, giving our time and attention as an unspoken “I love you”. In the same way, if we really love God, we seek to know His will (i.e., study His Word), and to conform our lives to His will.

Temptation never comes from God. It cannot. To blame God for our temptations, to question His very nature, is sin! We are tempted, as James writes, by our own natural desires. This is the inborn sin nature. It is our inheritance from Adam. Paul writes of this sin nature in Romans 3:10-11: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” Without God’s acting first to re-generate our hearts, we would never seek Him out; we would never develop the desire to love Him, repent of our rebellion, and show Him our love in obedience to His will.

James explains the natural progression or our sin nature: our natural desires lead us to sin, and our continues living in sin (rebellion towards God) leads to the eternal separation from God which the Bible describes as death. It is because of the inborn sin nature, and the natural progression into sin, that Paul can write in Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

As we honestly confront the end result of our sinful desires, we’re left only to respond as did the citizens of Jerusalem on Pentacost: “Brothers, what shall we do?” How can we escape the sin nature at the very core of our being?

Peter gave those gathered in Jerusalem their answer, and his words echo through history to answer our distress as well. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

PRAISE GOD that He has provided a means of salvation for us! This is HIS provision for us; there’s nothing we can do to save ourselves. Paul wrote to the Christians in Ephesus: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” In Romans chapter 5, Paul is even more explicit in describing exactly what God has done for us: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”

PRAISE GOD for His LOVE and His SALVATION!