Daily Scripture Reading James 2:19 - 3:14
There are some people within Christianity who believe many people should become teachers. Their mentality is that in a Sunday School or small group setting, everyone should have a turn at being the instructor.
Today’s passage contains a command that contradicts that philosophy. The reason has to do with the inability of many people to control the words that come out of their mouth. All of this is an extension of the concept that faith without works is dead.
At the end of yesterday’s passage, James wrote that faith without works is dead. He was not saying we need to earn our way into heaven. Instead, he taught that anyone who truly becomes a believer will obey Jesus and do good things. Good works are how Christians demonstrate their faith.
James 2:19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.
At first glance, this verse appears to be a change of subjects. However, he actually used demons to reinforce the idea that faith without works is dead.
The demons believe in God, but they are not saved because Jesus is not Lord of their existence. So too, it is good if any human believes in God. However, any human who believes in God but does not make Jesus Lord of their life is not saved. If Jesus is Lord of their life, then their behavior will reflect that. If a so-called Christian is not living according to the Bible, then at some point it is legitimate to question if Jesus is truly Lord of their life.
James 2:20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
According to Genesis 21:12, when Isaac was weaned, God told Abraham that Isaac would bear descendants. Then, according to Genesis 22, before Isaac had children, God told Abraham to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. Even though Abraham knew God had promised descendants through Isaac, Abraham did as he was told because he had faith God would somehow fulfill His promise.
James 2:22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected.
By offering Isaac on the altar, Abraham proved he had faith that God would do as He said He would do.
James 2:23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “AND ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS COUNTED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS,” and he was called the friend of God.
James 2:24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
James 2:25 And in the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
According to Joshua 2:9, Rahab helped the messengers because she believed Yahweh had given the land to the Israelites. She proved she believed that by helping the messengers, even though that put her at risk of being punished by the king of her city. Her deeds proved that she placed Yahweh over the King of Jericho.
James 2:26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
James 3:1 ¶ Do not, many of you, become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.
This is a command. Only a few people should become teachers. The reason for that restriction is that teachers will receive a stricter judgment.
There are people within Christianity who have the belief that anyone can teach. In Sunday School or small group settings they are in favor of everyone taking their turn giving a lesson. Part of their reasoning is that people learn the most when they teach.
It is true that teaching is a great way to learn; however, the command in this verse makes it clear that only a minority of people should become teachers.
James 3:2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the entire body as well.
A man’s control of his tongue is a great indicator of how well he controls his entire body.
This is why only a few should teach. Teachers will receive stricter judgment. Teaching is speaking. It is very hard to control the words that come out of our mouths. Therefore, only a few should teach and run the risk of the judgment.
James 3:3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
James 3:4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills.
Just as a small bit in the horse’s mouth controls the entire horse and a small rudder steers the entire ship, so too if a man learns to restrain his tongue, then he can restrain his entire body as well.
James 3:5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. ¶ Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
Not only is the tongue hard to control, it is capable of great damage.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell.
The words that come out of our mouth can defile our entire body.
James 3:7 For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
James 3:8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
In chapter 2, James taught that faith without works is dead. We Christians prove we have faith by doing good deeds. The ultimate good deed is to control our tongue.
This teaching on the tongue comes after the command that only a few should become teachers. Part of the reason only a few should teach is because it is so hard to control the tongue. It is very easy for our words to do harm instead of good.
James 3:9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
James 3:10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water?
James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh.
James 3:13 ¶ Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom.
This verse ties this teaching on the tongue back to his statement that faith without works is dead. Anyone who is truly a believer will have good conduct and keeping the tongue in check is an important part of good conduct.
James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
Jealousy, selfishness, and arrogance are often the causes of harmful words.
Since we live in the age of social media where everyone can put their thoughts on the internet for everyone to read, it is understandable that there are people who think all Christians should be able to go to church and express their thoughts to the whole congregation. However, the tongue is very powerful, and can cause much damage. Therefore, James commanded that only a few people should become teachers.
What are some statements you have made that you wish you had never stated?
What is some of the damage that could be caused by having a teacher who can’t control his tongue?
What is a good method for determining who in the congregation should become teachers?
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“Scripture quotations taken from the (LSB®) Legacy Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2021 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Managed in partnership with Three Sixteen Publishing Inc. LSBible.org and 316publishing.com.”