My God and My Country

The General Epistle of James the Apostle Chapter 3:1-12

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we sin all. If any man sin not in word, he is a perfect man, and able to bridle all the body.

3 Behold, we put bits into the horses’ mouths, that they should obey us, and we turn about all their body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small rudder, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth of great things: behold, how great a thing a little fire kindleth.

6 And the tongue is fire, yea, a world of wickedness: so is the tongue set among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For the whole nature of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and things of the sea is tamed, and hath been tamed of the nature of man.

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 one mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing: my brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at one place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bring forth olives, either a vine figs? so can no fountain make both salt water and sweet.

Cross Reference:

James 3:6: Matthew 15:11

Editor’s thoughts:

Verse 2 - Using the NKJV and the GNV translations the word perfect is put into place in this verse. However, we find in the Aramaic and Ancient Greek translations the word used is "mature". This makes the understanding more clear in so far as no one can be perfect. We can be complete in Christ yes but no one is perfect. Therefore when we are mature in Christ, we have reached a point of completeness or near completeness. We are grown enough and now better equipped to be one with Him.

Verses 5-8 - As noted in a previous study, we tend to speak without thinking. Many times we speak in anger and wrath. Note also how Christ makes mention of it in both the Gospels of Matthew and Mark (Matthew 15:11; Mark 7:15). This is what makes us appear unrighteous. Remember brethren, we are called to be holy for He is holy (Read Leviticus 19:2), let us act so in deed and speech.

Verses 9-12 - Friends we are each made in the image of our Creator. As noted above we are to be holy. One should not use the same mouth to speak good and ill of people. Let our speech always be one of a positive nature. Indeed we can recognize evil when we see it, and we can make note of it to others as well. But first be certain of what you see, and what you judge. Make certain that all assessments are based on God's words.