Heavenly Wisdom for Earthly Living (Jas 3) - Capitol Commission
Heavenly Wisdom for Earthly Living
12 February 2013
RON J. BIGALKE, PASTOR/MISSIONARY, CAPITOL COMMISSION, 912.659.4212
Bible Study Title
Ron J. Bigalke , PhD / PO Box 244, Rincon, GA 31326‐0244 / www.capitolcom.org / [email protected]
THE NEED TO CONTROL THE TONGUE
CAPITOL BIBLE STUDY 152 nd General Assembly ( weekly schedule)
• TUESDAYS @ 7:30 AM in 123 CAP • TUESDAYS @ 12 NOON in 123 CAP
(Jas 3:1-2) The theme of controlling one’s speech was introduced in chapter one: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (1:26; cf. 1:19). In the previous chapter, the relationship between faith and works was explained with great detail. James 3 emphasizes one kind of action: the use of words for either blessing or cursing. The emphasis upon speech recalls the prior exhortation to “so speak and so act as those who are to judged by the law of liberty” (2:12). Christ Jesus also identified the tremendous significance of our words because they reveal what is in our hearts (Matt 12:33-37; 15:11). Matthew 12:35 – “The good man brings out of his good treasure what is
Capitol Commission Bible Study is Tuesday, 12 February 2013 James 3 – “Heavenly Wisdom for Earthly Living” The newspaper announcement read, “Van Cliburn is going to play for Bubba.” The headline was submitted by a city councilman in Fort Worth, Texas to announce that the renowned pianist Van Cliburn would be performing at the grand opening of the Texas Motor Speedway. The councilman thought the headline was innocent humor; however, the speedway’s general manager thought otherwise, and wrote an angry letter to the councilman. The letter urged, “Please do not refer to race fans as ‘bubbas’ or ‘rednecks.’ Race fans are supposedly tourists valued by the city of Fort Worth. The use of the term ‘bubba’ or ‘redneck’ can be considered a racial epithet.” For the next few weeks, folks either opposed or supported the councilman’s choice of words. Eventually, the councilman apologized by saying, “I’m sorry I called all those race fans Bubbas. I certainly didn’t mean to offend them. These are valued people. I represent the Bubbas and the rednecks. They’re good folks. They’re not elite at all.” While it may seem like much ado regarding one unfortunate word, it is the precise issue that James 3 addresses: the power of the tongue. According to James 3, the tongue has the power to destroy because “it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.” The tongue is likened to a match that can set a forest aflame. While some forest fires are intentional, the ones that are started either carelessly or innocently can result in very real destruction. Jesus said, “‘But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment” (Matt 12:36). The challenges and instructions in James 3 provide us with the necessary guidance to have God regenerate our tongues by His grace and for His glory.
good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.
Verse 1 seems to be addressed only to aspiring teachers; however, this message is applicable for all. Verse 2 indicates the universality of the message: “For we all stumble in many ways.” James 2 addressed the relationship between faith and works. James 3 reminds us that our works are not limited to our actions; rather, those deeds also include our speech. Indeed, our words are among our most important works. If works in the book of James have reference to our action (or obedience), which it does, then our words are an indication of that true Christian action which is practically expressed in life. Matthew 15:11 – “It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
James 3 begins by saying that sinful precedents in speech among professing Christians demonstrates a grave indication of the need for divine grace. Moreover, such sinful precedents may be an indication of the need for salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Speech indicates much about us. Sins of the tongue demonstrate our imperfection and sinfulness. Is there inappropriate anger in your speech? Is there profaneness in your speech? Is your speech secularized? Does your speech contain prevarication? Do you gossip? Do you mislead others? Do you waver? Are you disrespectful in your speech? Are you inappropriately critical? James 3 demands that we examine ourselves with great care as we answer those questions.
THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF THE TONGUE (Jas 3:3-12) Verses 3-5 illustrate the incredible power of the tongue by means of several examples. The first illustration depicts the tremendous discrepancy between the thing being controlled (a horse, a ship) and the size of the controlling instrument (a bit, a rudder), which proves that something small in size can indeed control a much
Capitol Commission Bible Studies Tuesday (12 February) @ 7:30am, 123 CAP Tuesday (12 February) @ 12 Noon, 123 CAP (lunch provided from First Baptist Church Atlanta sponsorship)
Georgia Heavenly Wisdom for Earthly Living larger object. The second illustration depicts how something great in size, such as a sailing vessel, can be directed by the strength of the winds, which the small rudder is able to use for direction. Similarly, the tongue is a small member of our bodies, yet can boast of having an influence upon our lives which is disproportionate to its relative size.
“FOR NOTHING ESCAPES DESIRE . . . LIKE A FLAME IN THE FOREST, IT SPREADS ABROAD AND CONSUMES AND DESTROYS EVERYTHING.”
Whereas the prior illustrations were neutral, the third illustration demonstrates how a small fire can be a source of great destruction. Just as a small fire can destroy a great forest, so can the misuse of the tongue cause agony and disastrous outcomes in the lives of many. The tongue can produce ruin and may represent a vastness of iniquity within the body. However, by God’s grace, the tongue can become an instrument of blessing (Col 4:6). Our tongues are not doomed; rather, the Lord God can mold them into instruments of good and holiness. Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.
The comparisons in James 3:1-6 are not unique to the Bible. The first century Jewish philosopher Philo wrote that from desire “flows the most iniquitous actions, public and private, small and great. . . . For nothing escapes desire . . . like a flame in the forest, it spreads abroad and consumes and destroys everything” (On the Decalogue 173). Verses 7-8 contain an expansion and restatement of the notion that the tongue is extremely difficult to control. In contrast to humanity’s ability to subdue or tame earthly animals, the tongue cannot be entirely subdued for “it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison” (cf. Ps 140:3). The biblical depiction of the tongue’s potential for misuse is not an excuse to acquiesce to such (cf. Eph 4:29). The tongue can be dedicated to God so that we can use it to edify and encourage others. For example, one can focus upon the prayer in Ephesians 1:15-23 as a basis of intercession for others. Verses 9-12 resume the theme of one who is “double-minded” (Jas 1:8) and double-tongued, that is, one who is seeking to pursue both earthly and heavenly pursuits. The use of the same tongue for both praise and cursing is not only (obviously) inconsistent but also nonsensical, which is just as contrary as a spring that produces both fresh water and salt water, or a tree that produces fruit of a different kind than itself (cf. Matt 7:16, 18). The external does not cause spiritual defilement of one’s mouth; rather it is what proceeds from it (Matt 15:11, 16-20). God is exhorting us to exercise great care so that we do not corrupt ourselves by what proceeds from our mouths. (Jas 3:13-18) The primary topic in verses 13-18 is the disorder and sin that results from envy and jealousy. A desire for dominance, or at least prominence, can trouble any community. Envy and jealousy is destructive because it is a “zero-sum game” for to “win” necessitates Bible study luncheon sponsored by:
Wisdom (v. 13) is evident by moral insight and skillfulness in deciding practical issues of conduct. Understanding (v. 13) depicts someone with the knowledge of an expert. The presence of wisdom in our lives is demonstrated by good deeds practiced with humility (cf. Prov 11:2-3), which is to give importance to serving God and others, as opposed to seeking attention for ourselves or for advancing our own interests (Matt 6:1-8; 23:5-7; Luke 22:27). Only deeds—not mere talk— that are obedient to God’s Word prove the presence of wisdom, and thus will result in that which is eternal (Matt 11:19). Heavenly wisdom is not merely claimed, rather it is also demonstrated; therefore, influence is gained by means of faith in God and His Word as evident through a holy life, and not achieved by “power plays” and political maneuvering. Moreover, the Lord Jesus will receive all the glory, honor, and praise, rather than any of His servants. The heavenly wisdom “is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy” (Jas 3:17). The heavenly wisdom described in the Bible is needed for our earthly living, and often seems foolish to those without faith in God, and is indeed beyond the understanding of “those who are perishing” (1 Cor 1:18). Proverbs 11:2-3 – When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom. The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.
You must seek God’s grace not to let any “unwholesome word proceed from you mouth” (Eph 4:29). You and I can do better to dedicate our tongues to the Lord God by spending time in diligent Bible study and then asking Him to help us develop the true wisdom that He has revealed to us. Daily let the Lord God refine and purify your attitudes and words of anger, pride, resentment, and selfishness. Thank you for allowing Capitol Commission the honor to provide Bible studies to you. If you have any questions, please talk with us, or contact us by email or phone (912.659.4212). We are praying for you personally throughout the day and week (1 Tim 2:1-4).
About Capitol Commission Capitol Commission state directors are pastors/missionaries who teach weekly verse-by-verse Bible studies for the entire Capitol community. State directors also meet personally with many government leaders to proclaim God’s grace in salvation, to encourage our leaders, pray with them, and provide biblical counsel. The mission of Capitol Commission is to reach Capitol communities for Christ—one person at a time, to disciple them, and to prepare them for a lifetime of ministry, wherever God chooses to place them. Capitol Commission is a charitable and religious nonprofit corporation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Capitol Commission is supported by the generous gifts of businesses, churches, and individuals. Capitol Commission is not state-funded; rather, those with a heart for the Capitol community fund it. Please join us in this ministry!
N EXT CAPITOL COMMISSION BIBLE STUDIES: T UESDAY , 19 FEBRUARY @7:30 AM in 122 CAP and again @ 12 N OON in 122 CAP
that others lose. Therefore, such attitudes create divisions and a partisan spirit (cf. 1 Cor 1:11-12). How can we live otherwise? The answer is to reject an earthly (worldly) notion of control, power, and significance, and to embrace instead an heavenly (eternal) ethic, which is characterized by “the wisdom from above” (Jas 3:17).
