James Expounds on Faith Volume 30

 Taming the Tongue 😝 Part 1

James 3:1-2 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. KJV Note: NKJV=New King James Version

The Apostle James now leaves his discourse on faith and works and dives right into the area of our relationship with God that will most affect our doings outwardly in our 🎪 tents, house 🏡, our bodies which is what we allow to proceed forth from our tongue 😝 which is simply a reflection of what's going on in our inner man 👨 or inner woman 👩, for as it is written for us and to us by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself when He said this, "For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:43-45) (NKJV). With this as our backdrop, we now here these words spoken to us and for us by the Apostle James as he warnes many of we brethren of the huge responsibility that any of us has when we 🚶 walk into the duty of teaching the Word of God to others, for we must humble ourselves to receive and learn from God the Holy Spirit and submit ourselves to Him allowing Him to restrain our tongue 😝 which is perhaps the most unruly member of our body, that is, lacking in restraint or discipline and unwilling to submit to authority, so we hear these words from the Apostle James right up front, "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation." (James 3:1) (KJV). The English word 'masters' is translated by the Greek word didaskalos which means simply an instructor or teacher; in this case an instructor or teacher of the Word of God. It is God's Word which is sacred and due all respect and reverence, therefore, it is a very serious thing to our Lord Jesus Christ that those of us who are teaching His Word do not water it down or try to make it more pleasing to our sinful hearts and the sinful hearts of others, for those of us who step forth to teach the Word of God will be judged by our Lord Jesus Christ much more stricter than other brethren. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:1, "These words do not forbid doing what we can to direct and instruct others in the way of their duty or to reprove them in a Christian way for what is amiss; but we must not affect to speak and act as those who are continually assuming the chair, we must not prescribe to one another, so as to make our own sentiments a standard by which to try all others, because God gives various gifts to men, and expects from each according to that measure of light which He gives. 'Therefore be not many masters' (or teachers, as some read it); 'do not give yourselves the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners; do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your standard.' This is enforced by two reasons. 1. Those who thus set up for judges and censurers shall receive the greater condemnation. Our judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and severe, Matthew 7:1-2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of others, and arrogant in passing censures upon them, may expect that God will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss."

The Apostle James now goes on to declare the seriousness in which we must be on guard of the words we allow to come forth from our tongue 😝, even when we are angry 😡 and probably more so then because the words that come forth during those times are always meant to hurt the person or people on the other end of receiving them (even if it is someone you love 😍), so we read these words from James now, "For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body." (James 3:2) (KJV). The English word 'offend' is translated by the Greek word ptaiō meaning to trip, that is, (figuratively) to err, sin, fail - fall, stumble. The little English phrase 'is a perfect' is translated by the Greek word teleios meaning complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, mature. The little English phrase 'to bridle' is translated by the Greek word chalinagōgeō meaning figuratively to curb, that is, the act of restraining power, action or limiting excess, to lessen the intensity of; temper; hold in restraint; hold or keep within limits. The Apostle here declares the reality that we all fail, err, stumble and sin in many things (Ecclesiastes 7:20 & Proverbs 20:9), but the tongue 😝 is perhaps the biggest culprit of all and the Christian brother or sister who is able to curb the tongue 😝 in its sinful rampages is able also to bring the whole body into submission to the will of God. Note: "No brother or sister 'in Christ' can do this in their own strength 💪, but by only yielding ourselves fully to the control of God the Holy Spirit, as the Apostle Paul wrote with these words to the Church @ Ephesus, 'And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,' (Ephesians 5:18) (NKJV), for when someone is drunk the alcohol takes over them and controls them, likewise when we brothers and sisters 'in Christ' are filled with the Holy Spirit, then He is in control and our words and actions will be according to His will which will be pleasing to God the Father and to all of humanity as well." Here is what Matthew Henry had to say of James 3:2, "Were we to think more of our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others, we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay, perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove worse than any faults they condemn in others. Let us learn to be severe in judging ourselves, but charitable in our judgments of other people. We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect and upright men, and such as have an entire government over ourselves: If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. It is here implied that he whose conscience is affected by tongue-sins, and who takes care to avoid them, is an upright man, and has an undoubted sign of true grace. But, on the other hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes, that man's religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced and improved Christian. For the wisdom and grace which enable him to rule his tongue will enable him also to rule all his actions."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...


Sincerely in Christ,


Clifford D. Tate, Sr.


Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…