Until this point in his book, James has been involved in his deep and passionate teaching regarding the relationship of faith and works. He now seems to change gears suddenly as he addresses a very important subject in just one sentence.
Although his words are few, his teaching regarding the awesome responsibility of serving as a teacher is very important. No other passage in all of the New Testament is as potent in its focus upon the great responsibility of being a teacher of Christian truth and lifestyle. It appears that James is teaching two major truths which are intertwined one with the other.[1]
It appears that some of his readers may have been facing the temptation of becoming teachers when they were not actually called of God or given the spiritual gift of teaching. James is certainly not discouraging those who have received that calling and have that gift.
He is simply reminding his readers that few of us are called to be teachers. The leadership gifts are not given to all the members of the body. The gift of teaching is given but to a few. As true of any ministry, we should become involved in teaching only when we are called of God and gifted by the Holy Spirit to do so. Greater judgment awaits those who teach because the tongue has the power to influence many-for good or bad. James reminds teachers of the Word that greater knowledge brings greater responsibility.
As a part of the warning that James shares regarding the great responsibility of teaching others within the church, James presents the sobering information that those who teach will be judged more strictly than others. This statement raises at least two important questions. The first question is, “Why would a teacher be judged with greater strictness?” And the second question would be, “Who is going to do the strict judging?”
At least two principles of Scripture will help us to answer the first question adequately. The first is a principle taught by Jesus, “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more”
In other words, both God and man require more from those who have been given more. When God calls a person to a place of leadership, much is required of that leader from God. And when one is given the great privilege and responsibility of teaching the truth of God’s Word, there is little wonder that God would require a high standard of excellence and faithfulness.
Second, there is the principle of sowing and reaping which is very relevant to what James is teaching. The principle is as follows, “For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”. Usually, teachers reproduce themselves in the lives of their students. A false teacher could do great harm by creating mediocrity in the lives of the people of God and by actually leading them astray.
Concerning the second question, “Who is going to do the judging with greater strictness?” there seem to be two possible answers. Both of them have some probability. First, there is the obvious reality that God will judge those who teach His Word and His truth. This fact could be documented throughout Scripture, including the statement of Paul in Romans 14:12, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God”
Second, there is the strict judgment that shall come from our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those whom we are teaching. There are many warnings in the New Testament concerning false teachers such as Peter’s prophetic statement in 2 Peter 2:1, “There will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them…” Those who use their words maturely demonstrate true maturity and self-control.
None of us has become perfect. None of us does everything right. None of us is so wise that we always speak the right word or so strong that we always do the right thing. Remembering this keeps us humble.
A key point in teaching is to tame the human tongue. It can’t be tamed by mere human endeavor. To prove this fact, James makes 4 specific points regarding the tongue.
- The tongue is a little member but boasts great things . To illustrate this point, he uses three practical examples which his readers would fully understand. First, he refers to the bit in the mouth of a horse. Although very small, it is very significant. By using the bit, the horse will obey us and will turn whatever direction we wish.
Then, there is the example of the rudder of a ship. It, too, is very small in comparison to the size of a large ship. But it also has great significance. By using the rudder, a ship can be turned and controlled.
Finally, there is the small fire. A very small fire or even a tiny spark can ignite a huge forest. What incredible power and significance belong to all three of these small things. With a bit, one can control a horse; with a rudder, one can control a large ship; and with a spark, one can ignite a huge forest and destroy it by fire. So it is with the tongue; it is very small but very powerful and significant. If one can control it, one can control the whole body. Such a person would be perfect
- The tongue is a fire—set on fire by hell. After establishing the significance and power of the tongue, James proceeds to address its great potential for destruction. His contention contains three specific statements regarding the destructiveness of the tongue.
First, as a fire, the tongue is “a world of iniquity” . The word “iniquity” is a very strong word denoting moral unrighteousness. It is the same word used by Paul when he states in 2 Timothy 2:19, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity”
Second, “The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body”. As a world of iniquity, the tongue cannot be held in isolation. It corrupts the entire body. Just as a rudder affects a ship and a bit affects a horse, so the tongue affects the body and brings corruption. It defiles the whole body.
Third, the tongue not only corrupts the body, it sets on fire the entire course of one’s life. In other words, the tongue does not merely affect the physical body of a person, it brings corruption to our total life. It affects not only what we do but what we are. And the source of this fire is hell itself.
Once again James advances his basic contention that all evil comes from the devil. He is the source of the evil which plagues our tongues. No wonder we cannot control the tongue. In our own strength, we are incapable of overcoming evil. Such a person would have to be perfect.
- The tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James now levels his strongest attack of all on the evilness of the tongue. It is not only evil, but also an unruly or restless evil. It is the kind of evil which is not merely passive but is actively on the attack. And it is a deadly poison. It is poison, like the poison of a deadly snake.
- The basic conclusion: No one can tame the tongue. The tongue is an enigma; it is a defilement of the natural order created by God. A spring doesn’t flow with both fresh and bitter water. Nor do fresh water and saltwater flow from the same spring. Nor does a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs. Yet out of the same mouth can proceed both blessings and cursing.
The conclusion of James is clear. The significance and influence of the tongue is great. It is a little member, but it has great power. It is a destructive fire which comes from hell. It corrupts one’s entire life. It is an unruly evil, full of poison that is just as deadly as the venom of a snake! This can lead us to but one conclusion, according to James—no one can control the tongue!
Notice how James contrasts sizes in his three analogies: horses’ bits turn their whole body; small rudders direct large ships; a great forest can be ignited by a little fire. His point is that even though the tongue is tiny, believers dare not underestimate its massive potential-it is a world of iniquity ignited by hell itself!
Today, even wild animals are tamed by humans, yet one of the smallest parts of the human body is untamed and untamable without God’s help. The human mouth is like that of a poisonous snake, always poised to strike and inject its poison.
The problem with our tongues is a spiritual problem. They have been under the control of our sinful nature. All evil comes from Satan, and he has taken control of the tongues of human beings. But James teaches us, God is the source of all good and He is available to help us in every situation.
The human tongue is inconsistent and hypocritical; one moment it blesses God, and the next moment it curses His image. Having the same organ produce both blessing and cursing is no more compatible than nature producing the unnatural.
The tongue can build others up or tear them down. Pray for every person you pass. Don’t grumble in traffic jams or complain in crowded elevators. These are prayer moments. Intercede for each person you see, “praying always with all prayer”. Imitate Epaphras, who Paul said in Colossians 4:12, was “always laboring fervently for you in prayers” He labored, strove, worked in prayers while having a strained face, tearful cheeks, clenched hands.
Stir spiritual dialogue. At the right time, with the right heart, ask your friends and family, “What do you think happens after we die?” “What is your view of God?” Jesus asked such questions in Mark 8:29: “Who do you say that I am?” Let’s ask them too.
Love because God loves. People can be tough to love. Love them anyway. In the words of 1 John 4:21, “He who loves God must love his brother also”. Today, use your tongue to bring joy, peace, and happiness into the lives of others. Thank others for their friendship. Encourage those who are struggling. Tell others of your love for them. Most of all, use your words to praise God throughout today.
(An audio version of this message can be found by clicking this link: James 3 verses 1-12 Bite Your Tongue)
Bibliography
- Jeremiah, David: The Jeremiah Study Bible: New King James Version (Brentwood, TN: Worthy Publishing; 2013; p. 1775)
- Cedar, P.A., & Ogilvie, L.J.: The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Vol. 34: James/1&2 Peter/Jude (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Inc.; 1984; pp. 65-72)
- Stanley, Charles F.: The Charles F. Stanley Life Principles Bible: New King James Version (Nashville, TN: Nelson Bibles; 2005)
- MacArthur, J.F., Jr.: The MacArthur Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers; 2006)
