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September, 1937
T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S
possible by grace. The manner of con trolling the tongue is threefold. First, there must be the desire expressed in the prayer, “Let the words of my mouth, . . . be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord” (Psa. 19:14 ); second, there must be the constant watchfulness expressed in the determina tion, “ I will take heed to my ways, . . . I will keep my mouth with a bridle” (that is, “muzzle my mouth,” Psa. 39:1; and third, there must be the conscious depend ence upon God evidenced in the petition: “ Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips” (Psa. 141:3). II. C hristian C onduct (13-18) James insists upon the necessity of the believer’s showing by conduct what is claimed by profession (v. 13). A good manner of life will advertise a man as being wise and prudent. Besides true wisdom, there is also false or natural wisdom (vs. 14-16). It is earthly in its scope. In the light of Scrip ture, it is mere folly, enduring only as long as the natural life endures. It is the “ wisdom” of the animal—sensual, natural, having “self-preservation” as its law. Moreover, it is purely psychical, that is, controlled by human desires which, in the last analysis, are all selfish. Furthermore, it is devilish or demoniacal, akin to the wisdom possessed by the demons who know much but are filled with the folly of ha tred toward God. The manifestation of such wisdom is strife, confusion, and all evil deeds. In contrast is the true wisdom (vs. 17, 18). It is pure, having no double-minded- Hess. It is peaceable, yet it refuses “peace at any price,” which usually means at the price of denial of God, or of purity, or of righteousness. It is gentle; it is easily in- treated, and it is full of mercy, and good fruits. It has no hypocrisy, no boasting, no concealment. It issues in the right, and the right issues in peace. Points and Problems 1. "W e offend all” (Jas. 3:2). This is such stilted English that the average mod ern reader has difficulty in understanding. The word “ all” is not the object of the verb, but the subject in apposition to “we.” Furthermore, the Greek verb means to “stumble.” Therefore, we should read it: "W e all stumble." The Bible does not teach sinless perfection in the present life. 2. “ I f any man offend [stumble] not in ’word, the same is a perfect man" (v. 2). The word translated “ perfect" refers to maturity or full growth. Inability to con trol the tongue is the clearest mark of spiritual immaturity and childishness. The man who boasts, “ I always say exactly what I think,” may be frank, but he is still a child, for that is what a child does, some times to the painful embarrassment of those who hear. As we grow in grace, we in crease in self-control. And once we are able to control our tongues, we shall have little trouble with the rest of the body, according to James. 3. “Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" (v. 5). The word trans lated “ matter” is literally “wood" in the original. Following this meaning, the American Revision has an interesting trans
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lation in the margin: “Behold, how great a forest is kindled by how small a fire!” This translation gives tremendous force to the passage. Nations have gone to war and the course of history has been changed be cause of the careless wagging of a loose tongue. 4. “First pure, then peaceable” (v. 17). No one could ever accuse James of being against peace. He never tires of denounc ing fighting and strife. But James, with all his love of peace, never makes the mod ernistic blunder of putting peace first. Im portant as peace is, there is something still more important. Let us have peace, by all means, but let us not make the mistake of trying to secure it at the expense of purity, for purity in faith and life comes first. Without such purity there can be no peace. Golden Text Illustration E phesians 4:29 If you don’t think some of the small things you do matter, remember that the avalanches in the Alps have been known to start when a climber shouted to his com panions across the slope. We might be care ful what we shout—and to whom. — Toledo Blade.
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