3 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
James starts this chapter discussing teachers. He says teachers in the church will be judged more strictly. Why is that? Because teachers have a scope of influence who they bear a responsibility to. They must live righteously, as examples to the church. And they must dispense the word of God properly. This begins to build to a larger point.
Next, he discusses stumbling. Stumbling is something we all do. Stumbling is not a fatal flaw, but a brief sin. It causes us to understand we sinned, ask for repentance, and turn our hearts and minds to God once again. It affects our fellowship. Our life must be marked by less stumbling. Words reveal our inner nature. The control over the tongue indicates that we have control our actions.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Here, James gives us an example of how deadly our words can be. Like the rudder or the bit, it is a small part of us but carries a great power. It steers the course of us. The way we talk has a great effect on others and reveals the condition of our heart. Man alone cannot tame the tongue.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
This contributes to our contradictory character. Our talk can be used to praise God and cut down others. James aptly asks the questions: should both of these characteristics come out of the same person? Or better yet, should both of these coexist in a Christian?
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
There are two types of wisdom: worldly and spiritual. Worldly wisdom is good advice that gets us through life. Brush your teeth, exercise, save money. The foundation is in the world. Spiritual wisdom, however, is the wisdom founded in the relationship first. How we treat people, how we conduct our life, how we follow God. James says that our life should be an example to those around us. A good life, centered on God, produces good fruit. This should be evident to those around us. Humility is derived from spiritual wisdom.
14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Selfish ambition is the opposite of humility. It is a showing of pride. It shows that we possess a world viewpoint. He calls it earthly and unspiritual, demonic even. Earthly refers to people who think only of this life. Unspiritual is about animal gratification. And demonic refers to the influence. If we continue on in this vain, we will find not only disorder but a break down of our spirit. We will further debase ourselves. This is when we are solely depending on worldly wisdom.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
But spiritual wisdom produces something very different. It produces a loving and giving heart. There is purity (absence of sinful attitude or motive); peace(kindness to others); Gentleness (tender character); Consideration (not stubborn/willing to yield); full of mercy (merciful); Good fruit (example of the Holy Spirit working in you); without partiality (no favoritism): sincerity (the motivation is peace).