Tiago 3

The Untamable Tongue

1 My brethren, *(Matt. 23:8); Rom. 2:21; 1 Tim. 1:7let not many of you become teachers, *Luke 6:37knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For *1 Kin. 8:46we all stumble in many things. *Ps. 34:13If anyone does not stumble in word, *(Matt. 12:34–37; James 3:2–12)he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, *Ps. 32:9we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so *Prov. 12:18; 15:2; James 1:26the tongue is a little member and *Ps. 12:3; 73:8boasts great things.

See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And *Ps. 120:2, 3; Prov. 16:27the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it *(Matt. 12:36; 15:11, 18)defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. Itis an unruly evil, *Ps. 140:3; Eccl. 10:11; Rom. 3:13full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made *Gen. 1:26; 5:1; 9:6; 1 Cor. 11:7in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a *Matt. 7:16–20fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

Heavenly Versus Demonic Wisdom

13 *Gal. 6:4Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works aredone in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have *Rom. 13:13bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, *Rom. 2:17do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 *Phil. 3:19This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For *1 Cor. 3:3where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But *1 Cor. 2:6, 7the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, *James 2:1without partiality *Rom. 12:9; 2 Cor. 6:6; 1 Pet. 1:22and without hypocrisy. 18 *Prov. 11:18; Is. 32:17; Hos. 10:12; Amos 6:12; (Gal. 6:8; Phil. 1:11)Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.