August 31, 2025 // James 3
APPLICATION: Read & watch/listen to James 3
Sermon: Troubles & Traits
Troubles of the Tongue vs. 1-12
Teachers Responsibilities vs. 1-2
Tiny things turn big objects vs. 3-5a
Tiny flames set big fires vs. 5b-6
Tamed beasts – Untamed tongues vs. 7-8
Two tongued talking vs. 9-12
Traits of Wisdom vs. 13-18
Wisdom of witness vs. 13
Worldly wisdom vs. 14-16
How we discern it:
Wisdom from above vs. 17-18
How we declare it:
What we gain by it:
Life Application:
In March 1805, Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States, delivered a farewell address to the Senate. After four years in office, he presented a valedictory to conclude his service. Burr said: “I shall, until I die, feel reverence for this house and the noble principles of which it is the primary guardian. In taking my leave of it and of you, I feel like the young man who leaves the dwelling of his parents to make his way into the world. This house is my mother, and has nurtured me; this house is my father, and has given me strength” (Philip Vail, The Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr).
After finishing his address, Burr left the Senate chamber, receiving a standing ovation from his colleagues. His well-chosen words resembled the speech of a great patriot. They prompted the Senate to an outburst of affection and support. The picture of Burr we see in this speech is a complete distortion of this complex master of deceit. Burr was an accomplished liar!
When Burr reached the street after leaving the Senate chamber, he checked to see if bailiffs from either New York or New Jersey were waiting to arrest him. Not seeing any law officials in the streets, he left the Capitol on horseback, changed to another horse at the stable behind a small inn, and later transferred again to a coach with heavy, closed curtains. Then Burr disappeared from sight for two days.
At the time when he spoke, Burr was wanted by officials in New York for murdering Alexander Hamilton, former Secretary of the Treasury, in a duel. He was also engaged in a plot to seize the Louisiana Territory and install himself as its emperor. He had shown nothing but contempt for the laws of the Senate. He adjusted his words to fit the occasion and felt no guilt about lying to protect himself or to arouse support. He used words as a tool to get people to act in his own ways.
Burr’s speech showed two failures of the tongue. First, the tongue can deceive people. Aaron Burr was a first-class rascal, but his words resembled those of a pious prophet. Our words can deceive us and can mislead others. To be believable, our words must be supported by credible deeds. Second, we can use our tongues to advance our own agenda. Our ambition can drive us to distort the facts, present half-truths, and rationalize our failures.
James would have us use the tongue to produce a harvest of righteousness. We must claim God’s grace to control our tongues, avoid using the tongue as an instrument of deceit, and instead use it for the purpose of encouragement, forgiveness, and mercy.[1]
Digging Deeper :
A. Teachers (v. 1)
“Teacher” appears fifty-nine times in the New Testament but only here in James. Most occurrences are in the Gospels. People addressed Jesus with this title (Matt. 12:38; 17:24; 22:16, 36). Paul listed the office of teacher in a sequence following apostle and prophet (1 Cor. 12:28). Teaching is a chief function of the office of pastor (Eph. 4:11). The teacher remained in a specific location and provided instruction about Christian doctrine and spiritual living.
The work of a teacher was very visible before others, and this prominence attracted many who were unqualified and undeserving of the office. James urged aspiring teachers to show more concern about their qualifications for serving than with rushing into a position of high visibility. Verse 1 points out that the greater responsibility of teachers rendered them liable for a stricter standard of judgment. Today, church leaders and would-be teachers of all types should heed this warning.
B. Perfect (v. 2)
Perfect is used to describe both God and human beings. It pictured God’s moral perfection and completeness (Matt. 5:48). It describes maturity or complete development in people (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:28).
The word (teleios) does not describe sinless perfection, for no believer will reach that goal in this life. Rather, it presents someone who has moved toward spiritual maturity in the control of the tongue. James sought a maturity which showed the result of consistent growth in likeness to Christ. James even suggested that he himself had not reached the level in which he was never at fault in what he said. Such humility indicated growth toward maturity.
C. Course of His Life (v. 6)
This phrase (trochon tes geneseos) is part of a longer sentence reading, It … sets the whole course of his life on fire. Both the word course and the word life have multiple meanings, and it is difficult to know exactly what James intended to communicate.
Course may mean “wheel” or some sort of cycle of existence. Life may refer to “birth,” “existence,” or “nature.” Some scholars have suggested that James was thinking of life as a wheel which began turning at birth and rolled along until death. They would place the tongue at the axle of this wheel and suggest that James was describing the tongue as an organ setting the entire wheel afire.
James probably intended his expression to show the broad social impact of an unruly tongue. His expression here seems to show that an undisciplined tongue can cause all of life’s different relationships to burst into flames. A tongue out of control can stir up an entire household, neighborhood, community, or nation. James’s vivid expression describes the potential of the tongue to inflame all of our existence.
D. God’s Likeness (v. 9)
Sin has weakened the image of God in human beings, but despite human sin and evil every human being still bears a reflection of God’s likeness. We see this likeness in the fact that human beings are personal, rational, and moral creatures. We have a conscience and an ability to reason. God has given us a will with which to choose. We have the privilege of knowing and worshiping the true God. Human beings still retain the marks of the original creation in holiness and purity.
James reasoned that it is inconsistent for human beings to offer praise to God and then to curse those who bear God’s image. It is sin for God’s creatures to offer blessings to God while they at the same time show contempt to those whom God has created in his image (1 John 4:20).
E. Bitter Envy and Selfish Ambition (v. 14)
Envy (zelon) comes from a word suggesting “zeal” and can have either a good or a bad sense. In Romans 10:2, the term describes a zeal for God. Bitter reveals the negative sense James had in mind as he described a determined desire to promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others. Sinful human beings can pervert zeal for God into a bitter antagonism toward those who do not interpret God’s message in the way they do. Our zeal for God may develop into a rivalry which reflects a certain ruthlessness and contempt rather than an earnest display of love.
Selfish ambition (epitheian) describes someone who promotes a cause in an unethical manner. Outside the New Testament, the word described the pursuit of a political office by unfair methods. Paul used the word to say, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Phil. 2:3). People in the Philippian church were divisively promoting their own viewpoints and running roughshod over their opposition. No fellowship or unity could survive such an attitude as this.[2]
Questions to Consider:
Prayer Time:
[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 310.
[2] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 311–313.
[3] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 314.
Sermon: Troubles & Traits
Troubles of the Tongue vs. 1-12
Teachers Responsibilities vs. 1-2
Tiny things turn big objects vs. 3-5a
Tiny flames set big fires vs. 5b-6
Tamed beasts – Untamed tongues vs. 7-8
Two tongued talking vs. 9-12
Traits of Wisdom vs. 13-18
Wisdom of witness vs. 13
Worldly wisdom vs. 14-16
How we discern it:
Wisdom from above vs. 17-18
How we declare it:
What we gain by it:
Life Application:
In March 1805, Aaron Burr, vice president of the United States, delivered a farewell address to the Senate. After four years in office, he presented a valedictory to conclude his service. Burr said: “I shall, until I die, feel reverence for this house and the noble principles of which it is the primary guardian. In taking my leave of it and of you, I feel like the young man who leaves the dwelling of his parents to make his way into the world. This house is my mother, and has nurtured me; this house is my father, and has given me strength” (Philip Vail, The Turbulent Life of Aaron Burr).
After finishing his address, Burr left the Senate chamber, receiving a standing ovation from his colleagues. His well-chosen words resembled the speech of a great patriot. They prompted the Senate to an outburst of affection and support. The picture of Burr we see in this speech is a complete distortion of this complex master of deceit. Burr was an accomplished liar!
When Burr reached the street after leaving the Senate chamber, he checked to see if bailiffs from either New York or New Jersey were waiting to arrest him. Not seeing any law officials in the streets, he left the Capitol on horseback, changed to another horse at the stable behind a small inn, and later transferred again to a coach with heavy, closed curtains. Then Burr disappeared from sight for two days.
At the time when he spoke, Burr was wanted by officials in New York for murdering Alexander Hamilton, former Secretary of the Treasury, in a duel. He was also engaged in a plot to seize the Louisiana Territory and install himself as its emperor. He had shown nothing but contempt for the laws of the Senate. He adjusted his words to fit the occasion and felt no guilt about lying to protect himself or to arouse support. He used words as a tool to get people to act in his own ways.
Burr’s speech showed two failures of the tongue. First, the tongue can deceive people. Aaron Burr was a first-class rascal, but his words resembled those of a pious prophet. Our words can deceive us and can mislead others. To be believable, our words must be supported by credible deeds. Second, we can use our tongues to advance our own agenda. Our ambition can drive us to distort the facts, present half-truths, and rationalize our failures.
James would have us use the tongue to produce a harvest of righteousness. We must claim God’s grace to control our tongues, avoid using the tongue as an instrument of deceit, and instead use it for the purpose of encouragement, forgiveness, and mercy.[1]
Digging Deeper :
A. Teachers (v. 1)
“Teacher” appears fifty-nine times in the New Testament but only here in James. Most occurrences are in the Gospels. People addressed Jesus with this title (Matt. 12:38; 17:24; 22:16, 36). Paul listed the office of teacher in a sequence following apostle and prophet (1 Cor. 12:28). Teaching is a chief function of the office of pastor (Eph. 4:11). The teacher remained in a specific location and provided instruction about Christian doctrine and spiritual living.
The work of a teacher was very visible before others, and this prominence attracted many who were unqualified and undeserving of the office. James urged aspiring teachers to show more concern about their qualifications for serving than with rushing into a position of high visibility. Verse 1 points out that the greater responsibility of teachers rendered them liable for a stricter standard of judgment. Today, church leaders and would-be teachers of all types should heed this warning.
B. Perfect (v. 2)
Perfect is used to describe both God and human beings. It pictured God’s moral perfection and completeness (Matt. 5:48). It describes maturity or complete development in people (1 Cor. 14:20; Eph. 4:13; Col. 1:28).
The word (teleios) does not describe sinless perfection, for no believer will reach that goal in this life. Rather, it presents someone who has moved toward spiritual maturity in the control of the tongue. James sought a maturity which showed the result of consistent growth in likeness to Christ. James even suggested that he himself had not reached the level in which he was never at fault in what he said. Such humility indicated growth toward maturity.
C. Course of His Life (v. 6)
This phrase (trochon tes geneseos) is part of a longer sentence reading, It … sets the whole course of his life on fire. Both the word course and the word life have multiple meanings, and it is difficult to know exactly what James intended to communicate.
Course may mean “wheel” or some sort of cycle of existence. Life may refer to “birth,” “existence,” or “nature.” Some scholars have suggested that James was thinking of life as a wheel which began turning at birth and rolled along until death. They would place the tongue at the axle of this wheel and suggest that James was describing the tongue as an organ setting the entire wheel afire.
James probably intended his expression to show the broad social impact of an unruly tongue. His expression here seems to show that an undisciplined tongue can cause all of life’s different relationships to burst into flames. A tongue out of control can stir up an entire household, neighborhood, community, or nation. James’s vivid expression describes the potential of the tongue to inflame all of our existence.
D. God’s Likeness (v. 9)
Sin has weakened the image of God in human beings, but despite human sin and evil every human being still bears a reflection of God’s likeness. We see this likeness in the fact that human beings are personal, rational, and moral creatures. We have a conscience and an ability to reason. God has given us a will with which to choose. We have the privilege of knowing and worshiping the true God. Human beings still retain the marks of the original creation in holiness and purity.
James reasoned that it is inconsistent for human beings to offer praise to God and then to curse those who bear God’s image. It is sin for God’s creatures to offer blessings to God while they at the same time show contempt to those whom God has created in his image (1 John 4:20).
E. Bitter Envy and Selfish Ambition (v. 14)
Envy (zelon) comes from a word suggesting “zeal” and can have either a good or a bad sense. In Romans 10:2, the term describes a zeal for God. Bitter reveals the negative sense James had in mind as he described a determined desire to promote one’s own opinion to the exclusion of others. Sinful human beings can pervert zeal for God into a bitter antagonism toward those who do not interpret God’s message in the way they do. Our zeal for God may develop into a rivalry which reflects a certain ruthlessness and contempt rather than an earnest display of love.
Selfish ambition (epitheian) describes someone who promotes a cause in an unethical manner. Outside the New Testament, the word described the pursuit of a political office by unfair methods. Paul used the word to say, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit” (Phil. 2:3). People in the Philippian church were divisively promoting their own viewpoints and running roughshod over their opposition. No fellowship or unity could survive such an attitude as this.[2]
Questions to Consider:
- Who qualifies to be a teacher of God’s people? What message does James have for such people?
- What temptations most beset you as you use your tongue day by day? What hope does James give you in this matter?
- Define true wisdom. Give examples of people you have seen exercise true wisdom. Can you include your own conduct and speech among the examples?
- How do envy and selfish ambition express themselves in your life? What are you doing to combat them?[3]
Prayer Time:
[1] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 310.
[2] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 311–313.
[3] Thomas D. Lea, Hebrews, James, vol. 10, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999), 314.