It Is Set on Fire of Hell (James 3:6)

2022-08-12

The nature of humankind without any of God’s input is depraved to its fullest extent. The tongue is a whole “world of iniquity,” defiling our whole body, and is a fire which has its source from hell (James 3:6). It is even said that “the tongue can no man tame” (James 3:8). If nobody can tame it, where is our hope? The LORD can tame the tongue. We must seek Him for this taming, because all kinds of damage and harm can happen to others. And to think this is in the context of James 3:1: “My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James 3:1). The teachers must especially beware. I have stopped teaching before on an occasion or two because of James 3:1.

Likewise, there is a wisdom that can come from the depraved state of humanity. There is a wisdom that “is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15), and it causes divisions rooted in human passions. On the contrary, there is a heavenly wisdom which is pure and results in an others-centric disposition. This can only come from the LORD: “peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.” (James 3:17).

Both the tamed tongue and the heavenly wisdom from above can only be accessed by a complete trust in the risen Lord Jesus Christ and leading of the Holy Spirit. The untamed tongue and wisdom from below are what comes natural to us.