Wisdom's Conduct

It’s hard to believe we are now past the half-way point in our study! It’s been an eye-opening (not always enjoyable but always profitable) journey for me! What has your journey been like so far? I’d love to hear about what God is teaching you through this book!

Here’s today’s verse:

Scripture:

Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom’s gentleness.
James 3:13


Observation:

Definitions according to the NAS New Testament Greek Lexicon:

• wise: forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution
• understanding: intelligent, experienced, one having the knowledge of an expert
• show: give evidence or proof of a thing; to show by words or teach
• works/deeds: that which any one is occupied; any thing accomplished by hand, art, industry or mind
• good: suitable, commendable, admirable; affecting the mind agreeably, comforting and confirming
• conduct/behavior: manner of life, deportment
• wisdom: broad and full of intelligence; skill in the management of affairs; devout and proper prudence in inter[change] with men not disciples of Christ, skill and discretion in imparting Christian truth
• gentleness: mildness of disposition; gentleness of spirit; meekness

What do we know about the woman who is wise and understanding?

1. She shows her wisdom, intelligence, and experience in what she says and does
2. Her life reflects that she lives what she teaches
3. She interacts well both with sisters in Christ and those who have not yet chosen to become His
4. Her conduct is admirable
5. She offers comfort and encouragement
6. She is gentle in her approach

Application:

I need to be evaluating my actions and attitudes to ensure they match up with what I say I believe to be true.


Prayer:

Renew a right spirit in me today!

Unnatural Speech

Scripture:

Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things should not be this way.

Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening?

Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers, or a grapevine [produce] figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.
James 3:10-12


Observation:

James says the same mouth should not speak blessing and cursing. Why? Because what comes out of the mouth reflects what is in the heart (see Luke 6:45). In verse 9, James refers to people who are speaking positively about God, and talking as if they are living life in a way pleasing to Him, but they are also speaking offensively, in anger, or with annoyance, toward and/or about God’s creation (specifically other humans). James is using the object lessons of the fig tree and the grapevine to show that it is unnatural for the Christian to speak in such a way.


Application:

I must be sure my heart is in line with God’s heart.

I must be sure my speech is honoring to God.

I must be sure I am not speaking about others in a way dishonoring to God


Prayer:

Here is my heart, Lord. I give it to You. Make it in line with Yours, I pray!

Not As It Should Be

Scripture:

For every creature - animal or bird, reptile or fish - is tamed and has been tamed by man,

but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men who are made in God’s likeness.
James 3:7-9



Observation:

Every person, at one time or another, speaks “vain, idle, angry, and sinful words” (John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible). Because we are human, none of us can ALWAYS curb and restrain (i.e. tame) our tongue.

The Greek for “evil” can also mean “not as it should be” and the Greek word for poison can refer to speaking angry insults and/or making false or inflammatory statements that are hurtful to others.

Whoa. How many of us during an argument with a loved one have found ourselves saying things that were exaggerated (inflammatory) and as a result ended up hurting the person to whom we spoke? James calls this deadly poison.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue

Proverbs 18:21a

Application:

In regards to both the words I speak and the words I think about uttering, “the tongue” is a barometer of the true state of my heart. In order to more consistently speak “life” into others, my heart needs to be more in line with the will of God.


Prayer:

I know I’ve prayed this Scripture here before, but it is OH SO APPLICABLE to today’s lesson:

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24 KJV

My Speech Reflects My Heart

Scripture:

So too, though the tongue is a small part [of the body], it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites.

And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our [bodies]; it pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
James 3:5-6


Observation:

The tongue is a small part of the body, but much like the rudder of a ship or a bit in a horses mouth the tongue can have great influence over the direction of our lives. Also, much like the rudder or bit, the tongue does not have a will of its own, but instead reflects the desires and choices of the one using it.

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. (Luke 6:45 ESV)

Much like a careless spark can start a forest fire, a careless word spoken can wreak havoc and cause great devastation to those around it.

It is not possible (in this life) to know the full extent of the impact of the words we speak, both negative and positive effects can be experienced by the hearer.

John Gill says “a bridled and sanctified tongue, that is influenced by the grace of God, and directed by the Spirit of God, as it speaks great and good things ... has great power, weight, and influence: the tongue of the just is as choice silver, and the lips of the righteous feed many.”


Application:

I need to be aware that what I say WILL have an impact on those who hear it. It is crucial that my words reflect the will of my Father. I need to be aware of the words that I speak, both for those who hear, and as a barometer for where my heart is. I need to be conscious to speak only those things that encourage and build up those around me!

No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 HCSB)

Prayer:

Lord, may my heart line up with Your will! Refine my heart, I pray!

Guides

Scripture:

Now when we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide the whole animal.

And consider ships: though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
James 3:3-4


Observation:

Consider the immensity of the horse compared to the bit.

Now consider the size of the ship compared to the rudder.

These two, comparatively small, objects are used to reflect the will of the rider or pilot.

When the bit is pulled on by the reins, the horse turns in the direction indicated. And if the bit is pulled on too hard, the horse stops and goes no further. Not because of the desire of the bit, but because of the will (and subsequent actions) of the rider.

When the rudder is turned, the ship is guided into the direction desired by the pilot. If the rudder is turned the wrong way, the entire ship goes down the wrong path. Not because of the rudder’s decision, but because of the decision of the person controlling the rudder.

James uses these similes to introduce the concept of the impact the words we speak can have on circumstances around us. We will look more at this throughout this week.


Application:

The rider and the pilot each make the decisions about the direction of the horse and the ship, and guide the bit and rudder accordingly. But if either the bit or rudder is misused, the desired outcome is not achieved.

The choices I make each day, consciously or subconsciously, are reflected in the words I use. I want the words I use each day to reflect that I am making choices honoring to my Lord. My desire is that my will lines up with His each moment of every day....


Prayer:

Father God, line my will up with Yours, and guide my tongue accordingly!