A Living Faith Evidenced in Wise Speech and Conduct Part 3 (James 3:1-18)
If the tongue is so unruly, why even open your mouth to speak? It might be better to just be silent all the time. Certainly, there can be wisdom in learning to hold one’s tongue. But God did not design us to be silent; He wants us to communicate. In fact, we are commanded to communicate the gospel. And we should be seeking to edify one another with our words. So, silence is not only impossible, but it is not to be preferred. What is to be preferred is the use of the tongue that reflects wisdom from above, producing its good effects.
The end of James 3 contrasts false and true wisdom. Wisdom in words must translate into wisdom in action. The end of James 3 may be outlined like this:
- Wise Conduct (James 3:13-18)
- Wisdom Must Be Demonstrated in Conduct (James 3:13)
- The Evidence and Effects of False Wisdom (James 3:14–16)
- The Evidence and Effects of True Wisdom (James 3:17–18)
How would you know which person is wise and understanding when there is a disagreement enunciated in words? Both sides may sound persuasive in their words. They both claim to have the wisdom (moral insight that applies knowledge to a situation) and understanding (knowledge based on deep intellectual insight) necessary to make judgment calls. James 3:13-18 tells us that the proof is in the pudding. What kind of behavior follows from such professed wisdom?
Wisdom must be demonstrated in conduct (James 3:13). Such conduct will be both humble and godly. True wisdom requires both. Humility (meekness) without holiness will not produce godly conduct: wisdom. And holiness without humility will not produce godly conduct: wisdom.
Orthopraxy (right practice) is a key indicator of wisdom, and not just orthodoxy (right doctrine/teaching). Thus, philosophy of ministry is just as important as doctrine (see also 2 Peter 2, especially verse 19). The proof of wisdom is in the actual living out of a righteous life. Someone who purports to be wise but blatantly undermines righteous living should be queried about his logic and doctrine: as wise and intellectual as you sound, explain to me how this supports instead of undermines godly living?
Nevertheless, conservatives need to be careful not to undermine their godly stand by a truly arrogant spirit. Jesus is our perfect example of the spirit that ought to accompany godly conduct by which we achieve peace with one another (Matt 5:5; James 4:6–10). Jesus discerned how and when to confront, aimed at making peace with sinners willing to repent (see John MacArthur, The Jesus You Can’t Ignore).
James’ insistence that wisdom is to be tested by the kind of life one lives is in keeping with the idea of wisdom in the OT. Wisdom, remember, begins with the fear of the Lord (Prov. 1:7), enables us to discern what is “right and just” (Prov. 2:9), and leads us to “walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous” (Prov. 2:20). In stark contrast to this biblical perspective were certain Greek ideas of wisdom, which prized intellectual ability and knowledge of divine secrets – sometimes to the detriment of the moral life.1
The Evidence and Effects of False Wisdom (James 3:14–16)
The hypocrisy of the claim to have wisdom is revealed in (James 3:14):
- Bitter jealousy or envy: self-oriented desire to take control due to an axe to grind against others (personal agendas)—twisting what is otherwise good: zealous to stand for holiness (as God Himself/Jesus does)
- Selfish ambition or strife: greedy for something that brings gain to themselves even if it requires unethical behavior that mistreats others in the process to make those gains (with an arrogant excusing of those actions as if you are above the law/above critique)
Warning: don’t boast against the truth about yourself/in one’s hypocrisy: some will be overconfident in justifying their actions when they are in fact actions of bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Although there is always the possibility of a false accusation toward you in this, don’t provide easy ammunition to those who find ways to excuse their ungodliness by attacking the inconsistencies of the godly.
The character of this hypocrisy is that it is (James 3:15):
- Earthly (the world): related to temporal human pursuits rather than heavenly eternal things
- Unspiritual (the flesh): not aligned with the spirituality of the inner person but the passions of the flesh
- Demonic (the devil): originates not from heaven but from Hell; characterized by Satan’s kingdom
The results of this hypocrisy include (3:16):
- Disorder: envy and selfish ambition result in the lack of humility that bring about unrest/instability (tumult, uprising, revolution…)
- Evil practice: envy and selfish ambition result in the lack of holiness that condones all kinds of evil practices
The Evidence and Effects of True Wisdom (James 3:17-18)
True wisdom is characterized by all that is the opposite of envious, selfish, ambitious proud people (James 3:17–18 cf. Galatians 5:22-23). It is:
- Pure: moral blamelessness
- Peaceable: seeking peaceful relations with others
- Gentle: considerate of others; allowing for differences (in some respect)
- Open to reason: seeking to rightly understand others and willing to be persuaded (iron sharpening iron); giving deference when possible
- Full of mercy: not exacting judgment that may be due; loving acts
- Full of good fruits
- Impartial: fair to all without respect of persons
- Sincere: transparently honest in communication and presentation
This wisdom results in:
- A harvest of righteousness: a godly life of conduct that is right in God’s eyes
And the means of attaining the results is found in:
- Sowing peace by those who make peace (Matt. 5:9)
Our goal should be for righteousness and peace to both be upheld in perfect harmony (Ps. 85:10). This can only take place when there is unity in Vision, Mission, Philosophy, and Doctrine (see the posts here and here).
Kevin Collins has served as a junior high youth leader in Michigan, a missionary in Singapore, a Christian School teacher in Utah, and a Bible writer for the BJU Press. He currently works for American Church Group of South Carolina.
Photo by Alex Shute on Unsplash
- Douglas Moo, James, 170. [↩]