TRUE WISDOM IN WORD AND DEED.

True wisdom in word and deed

God created an order in mankind so James goes on to say every kind of beasts, birds and serpents of the sea is tamed but he writes this with the purpose of explaining some points about the tongue. If this very small member of the body is used wrong no person can tame it because it is evil and has a very bad effect on other people.

James makes his point that Christians should bless God (people usually say God bless you) but he also explains that people were made after the similitude of God. Out of one month it is possible that both blessings and cursing can take place but the Apostle writes do not let this happen. Does a fountain produce both sweet and bitter water? Can a fig tree bear olive berries? No fountain brings forth both fresh and salt water at the same time.

We could ask ourselves a question --- who is wise in this internet fellowship and has knowledge among us because James asked the same question. The Apostle then urges us to be of good conversation and let him or her show works with meekness of wisdom.

(7) "For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (8) But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (9) Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. (10) Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (11) Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (12) Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh. (13) Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. " James 3: 7 - 13.

It is extremely difficult to govern the tongue. God did create an order in the universe but what James is driving at is so common that it is the norm with people in everyday life. The tongue is a small member but it can be worse than big creatures living on planet earth. For example big animals tend to be tamed through the good order of God but the tongue can run wild if not checked on a daily basis. This is not impossible but very difficult. We have to be aware and sometimes it will be with pain through prayer. This small member is as an unruly evil because the tongue breaks all the rules with the ability to spit out it's verbal poison to a person or other people. This is not to mention that heaven hears our foolish words. The only place that is jumping up and down are the demons surrounding our lives. It is very tempting to say something foolish in a heated conversation.

We should be speaking righteous words with our tongues in our faith and service to Jesus Christ. If we are giving glory and praise to God than we also have the ability to curse or slander other people. Perhaps we may even say words really high in a heated debate. It is possible to give reverence to God and then turn on other people with brawling language. It is interesting that James chimes in and says these things ought not so to be because when we feel like saying something stupid and damaging we should resist this temptation.

To fix this problem the Apostle James shows us two examples. A fountain does not bring forth fresh and bitter water nor does a fig tree produce olive berries. In like manner our tongues can be so destructive and this is not even remotely consistent with the love of God. If we speak words that hurt and try to witness about the grace of God through His Son Jesus Christ then the other person or group probably will not listen to us or our witness. It is somewhat similar to us living in sin and trying to portray the love of God is pure. True faith in Jesus Christ will not allow these contradictions in our life. This is why we as Christians should always be yielding to God because we are not perfect but deep down we desire to be without defect. True faith in Jesus Christ will season our words with salt and live in all matter of conversation (live righteous / holy). When both Godly words and a righteous life combined with each other are working in combination then our lives will be influencing other people because we will be pointing to the Son of God. 

We can pretend to live a Godly life but people can usually discern if we are hiding something dark or sinful. There is wisdom from above and wisdom from hades so we might as well make a decision now and perhaps start with what the Apostle James is writing about regarding our tongues. 

What is true wisdom from heaven? Godly knowledge is not in and of itself living a righteous life. If we make a proper application to that Godly knowledge this is true faith in Jesus Christ. These two truths must be working together (word and deed) to have true wisdom with God, ourselves and other people. If we have more wisdom than some people in our lives it will show up in our conversation. I believe we should not allow our words to be rough or prideful. Some people may say not talking "Rough" might be impossible but I would say just try your best to not speak rough. As I look back in my life very few people that spoke rough had any kind of influence on my life. The Christians that seasoned their speech with salt had a pretty strong direction in my life and my walk with Jesus Christ. If we really desire to make an impression on a person's spirit back up our words with a righteous life. This is what verse thirteen says so our faith in the Son of God should come out with proper words and deeds. Notice this is an advanced more specific study of faith without works is dead. Think well, talk right and live a holy life. 

The Apostle James goes on to write true wisdom in God will be recognized by the meekness of our spirit. If this is the case we will not lose our temper. It is wise to control our anger or bear patiently with another person's temper with a gentle spirit. In general I believe James is urging us to have a mild and calm disposition so we can be reasonable with our lives and other people. Wisdom produces meekness but it is a perpetual circle because meekness will increase wisdom. 

If you have never accepted the Lord into your life now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ as your very own personal Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. I hope and pray you just made that all important eternal decision.

All Christians have a responsibility to live in good word and deed before God and other people. If we do this our conscience will be clear and clean rather than a rubber band going this way and in some other dark direction. We serve a merciful God so we can and should repent of our sins even as Christians. It is so much better to live our lives as God would have us to walk as opposed to living a lifestyle of sin in word (ungodly speaking) and deed (living our life in sin). Only we can make this choice before God. We need to make the right decision.

God Bless you,

Bob D.