James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
“masters” = an instructor, teacher
James warns that not many of us should want to take on the role of teacher. The role of teacher or master is so important because of the power you have to influence the lives of others. God does not look on this responsibility lightly. He will hold us accountable for what we teach.
The Greek for “condemnation” refers to damnation and judgment. Context is regarding one who aspires to teach the word of God, so I do not think the reference is to damnation. Other translations support the idea of being judged more severely or with greater strictness and better fit the context.
In other words, it is considered a serious offense to misrepresent God and/or His word. I pray so often that God will speak through me in the opportunities He has given me to share the truth of His word—whether in person or on the internet. I never want to misrepresent the truth of scripture in any way. I try to be very careful to say when something is just my opinion and always encourage others to search the scriptures on their own like the Bereans.
Acts 17:10–11 “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
The word offend in the Greek means to cause to stumble, to trip, to err.
Notice that James says that “we” all mess up along the way in different ways; he included himself. A person would have to be perfect to never make a mistake in anything he says or how he says it. (And Jesus was the only perfect man.) The man with that kind of self-discipline and control over his mouth would be able to control the actions of his whole body. I think the LORD is making the point through James that our tongue is the hardest member of our body to control. A person normally thinks before acting (at least a little bit ahead of time) and usually with specific intent. The tongue on the other hand is often in gear before the brain is—at least that has been my experience.
My prayer aligns with the psalmist: Psalm 141:3 “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
James 3:4 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 helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Now James gives a couple of very easily understood examples. Big horses can be controlled and directed by a relatively small piece of metal in its mouth. Big ships can be directed and kept on a course in spite of strong winds using a small rudder.
James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
In the same way, the tongue is responsible for great things—both good and bad. It is a very small part of the body that has great power to affect the lives of others. Just as a little spark can start a great big fire, so the tongue (sometimes through the smallest statement) can impact the lives of others for good or bad. We are so susceptible to being influenced by what others think of us or by the opinions and thoughts of those we admire.
One of Hitler’s top men, Joseph Goebbels, once said: “If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself.” And I think history has proven his statement true. The liberal media today operate on this sad truth. They repeat lies over and over again, knowing that the masses will begin to believe the lie and begin to support their evil agenda.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue 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.
“world” - order, the world: —adornment
I thought it was interesting to see the Greek for the word world. I think the better translation would have been adornment. The tongue is a fire; in context, a destroying force. It is an adornment of iniquity. Iniquity speaks of what is morally wrong, unrighteousness, and injustice. I think of an adornment as a decoration, something that helps you achieve a desired effect. The tongue is certainly useful in the accomplishment of “iniquity.” James uses strong language to emphasize the importance of what he is saying. When the tongue is used in a destructive, evil, unrighteous way, it defiles (stains, soils, pollutes) the whole body. (i.e., “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” 1Corinthians 5:6)
I had to think a bit about the phrase “setteth on fire the course of nature.” I think it helps to see the source from the Greek for the word nature: “nature” - 1078. genesis, ghen´-es-is; from the same as 1074; nativity; figuratively, nature:—generation, nature(-ral)….1074 genea, ghen-eh-ah´…age, generation, nation, time.
The implication seems to me to talk about the effect the destructive power of the tongue can have on people for a certain period of time. It’s like—what I choose to share with those in my area of influence are the ones most affected. If I speak with racism or lack of respect or with insult or _____________, then it will have the most influence on those in my sphere of influence, i.e., my children, family, class, city, state, generation, etc.
“it is set on fire of hell” – My thoughts are that James is saying that the destruction and evil caused by the tongue is not only a work of the flesh, but also a result of the influence of the master of deception, charm, and evil use of the tongue—Satan and his forces of evil. He used it to deceive Adam and Eve, and we have inherited the sin nature that makes it one of the easiest and most effective areas of weakness he targets to accomplish his purposes through us.
Wiersbe: “A hot head and a hot heart can lead to burning words that later we will regret.”
James 3:7 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:
James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Again, James is trying to help us understand the difficulty of controlling the tongue. Man has the ability to exert his control over many of the creatures of creation. This is another strong statement—NO ONE can tame (control, subdue) the tongue. It is unruly (Greek--unrestrainable, unstable, restless) and evil (bad, loathsome, worthless, depraved, injurious). It is like he is making comparison to a deadly, poisonous snake that can bring about swift injury and/or death.
Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue….”
On the other hand: Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”
I think James is trying to make us understand that we must always be on guard and very careful and thoughtful before we speak. Obviously, we are going to say things as Christians that we regret (in my case many things). That is why he is emphasizing so much the fact that the tongue can’t be tamed. If something is tame, it is subdued, spiritless, gentle, mild, and meek according to Webster. If we are honest, we have to admit that our “tongue” is only subdued when our emotions are not stirred in anger, frustration, impatience, etc. It takes continuous effort, thought and humility to be able to control the tongue. The more submitted we are to the control of the Spirit in our life, the more we are filled with the truths of God’s word, the more victorious we can become in this area—but we can never rest on the fact that we have “tamed” our tongue for good. Solomon spoke wisely.
Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”
James 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
James 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
James 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
James is pointing out how far from the divine order and intent the function of our tongue has strayed. A person can speak words of blessing and praise toward God the Father and then turn right around and curse someone in anger. Man is made in the image of God. We are to show respect for one another.
Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
When we curse another person, we are by inference disrespecting the Creator. James says that this is not right. If you go to a fountain to get a drink of water, you expect to get the same refreshing drink every time you go. You don’t expect it to be sweet to the taste one time and bitter (salt water, cf v12) the next. So it should be with the words that come from our mouth. As believers, they should consistently honor the Savior. When you plant a fig tree, you expect to get figs—not olives or apples. If you plant a vine, you expect to get grapes—not figs or strawberries. The source should be dependable. We, as Christians, should be a dependable source of God’s love to others—especially with our mouths. We can only succeed in this area by yielding to the discipline of the Spirit.
Another insert from my Wiersbe bible conference notes fits here: My tongue should be like a fountain giving forth clear water and like a tree providing rest, shade and delight. Every day find some way to compliment somebody. Sincere appreciation is something we often take for granted. A student goes through three steps.
You are amazed at everything you see.
You are critical of the way things are done.
You become appreciative.
Churches are this way too. You can get used to things and forget to appreciate them. The problem is not the tongue; it is the heart. If you want to know who the really wise are, watch and see who has meekness. Meekness isn’t weakness; meekness is power under control. Your tongue has power that must be controlled. Your tongue has power to hurt badly. If you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, the heart of every problem is the problem in the heart. If your tongue is hurting people, it is because you have something wrong in your heart. If my tongue is destroying people, it is because the world and the flesh and the devil control my heart. Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
I can certainly identify with Chuck Smith: “I’ve said so many things that I wish I had not of said; said in a moment of anger. How I wished I could have taken them back. And there are a lot of things that I wish I had said that I didn’t, a word of encouragement, a word of forgiveness, a word of comfort.”
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
My paraphrase—The one who is intelligent and full of understanding will demonstrate those attributes by living a life that does things honoring to the Savior with humility and thoughtful consideration.
In other words, the way you live and the character you exhibit give evidence to how wise you are. And what is the source of true wisdom?
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”
James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
In context here, James is discussing wisdom. He is saying that the person who is full of jealousy, envy (malice, ill will, jealousy) or strife (rivalry due to ambition and selfishness) should not boast about being wise. That would be a lie. Such a person is motivated by all the wrong reasons. He is not honoring God in his actions.
Proverbs 14:30 “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
Wiersbe: “When God’s wisdom is at work, there is a sense of humility and submission, and you want God to get all the glory. You have no desire to compare yourself with any other Christian, because you see only Christ—and compared with Him all of us still have a long way to go!”
James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
“This wisdom” – The kind exhibited by the person in vs 14
This wisdom is not from God; it is from the realm of Satan—the world, the flesh, spiritual forces of evil.
James 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Jealousy, malice, unbridled ambition and a thirst for power are surrounded by instability, disorder, confusion and every evil work. There is always someone else wanting to usurp your position. It’s a continuing struggle to maintain your position of status, and others are constantly striving to achieve a higher status than you. Your position is never stable. You have to constantly be on guard. Where is the real satisfaction? Where is your peace?
Wiersbe: “What we are is what we live, and what we live is what we sow. What we sow determines what we reap. If we live in God’s wisdom, we sow righteousness and peace; and we reap God’s blessing. If we live in man’s worldly wisdom, we sow sin and war; and we reap ‘confusion and every evil work.’”
James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
James 3:18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
The wisdom that comes from God is in stark contrast.
“pure” - free from ceremonial defilement, holy, sacred: —chaste, free from sin, innocent, pure.
“peaceable” - pacific; by implication, salutary:—peaceable.
“gentle” - appropriate, i.e. (by implication) mild:—gentle, moderation, patient.
I thought it was interesting to see some of the shades of meaning from the Greek for these words. The word pure, for instance, includes the idea of innocence, being harmless. Peaceable includes the ability to pacify, and gentle includes an attitude of patience. Easy to be intreated suggests that there is no fear of reproach when approached. To be full of mercy implies a willingness to forgive and allow another chance. To be full of good fruits implies someone who has a servant spirit and is thinking of others before himself. The person who is truly wise will show no partiality in sharing God’s love. We are to show just as much care and concern (if not more) for those who are needy and in trouble or unkind, selfish and filled with their own knowledge—and on and on and on. Those with true wisdom are not hypocritical; they serve and share because of the love of God spilling over in their hearts and not for any personal publicity or advancement.
“righteousness” - equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification:—righteousness.
When we plant the seeds of peace by acting in such a way as to honor Jesus in our lives through unselfish love and service, we produce the fruit of righteousness, the natural fruit of our justification. In Christ we are presented “just as if we had never sinned” before the Father. The fruit that comes from us should consistently be that which honors the Father.
Wiersbe: Gentleness “carries the meaning of moderation without compromise, gentleness without weakness. The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.”
James 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?
James is asking the believers to think—What is it that causes conflict, battle, and quarrels among you? Why do you ever fight? Isn’t it because of the desires and lusts of the flesh?
I thought it was interesting that the Greek for the word “war” (war in your members) had as a meaning “to contend with carnal inclinations.” It seems that most wars are fought over a desire for power or a desire to have control—no matter how noble the stated reason. Discord and fights between family and/or friends are usually caused by injured feelings—whether intentional or unintentional—or jealousy or pride.
Lust is rooted in the flesh; it makes reference to sensual delight, desire and pleasure. The lusts of a person who is lost follow the lead of his father—the devil.
John 8:44 “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do.”
The desires of the child of God should follow the lead of his Father and resonate with the heart of the psalmist, following the example of Jesus.
Psalm 40:8 “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”
Matthew 26:39 “…not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Hebrews 10:9 “Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God.”
James 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
James 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.
The first part of this verse seems to be describing mankind in general, but his target audience is comprised of Jewish Christians that are dispersed among the nations. We tend to desire what we do not have. People are willing to kill in order to get what they want, only to find out it is never enough; you always want more.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus specifically teaches that it is the thoughts of our heart that identify one’s motives. Even when we as believers make requests of God, we often don’t receive what we ask for because we ask for things for the wrong reasons—to fulfill our own fleshly desires.
Smith: “Prayer is not an agency by which my will is to be accomplished upon the earth. The purpose of prayer is to get God’s will to be accomplished upon the earth, and so many times we ask and receive not because the motive behind our asking is really that of accomplishing my will rather than God’s will. And if my will is in conflict with God’s will, God is not going to change His will to accommodate me….”
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
James is using pretty strong language. Why is he calling his audience adulterers and adulteresses. Adultery involves unfaithfulness; it involves giving to someone else what belongs to another. These believers were evidently being unfaithful to God and putting their efforts toward fulfilling selfish desires instead of toward obedience to God. If our desire is for the things of this world, we put ourselves in direct opposition to God. You have to make a choice. You can’t serve the God of heaven and the “god of this world.”
2Corinthians 4:4 “In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.”
1 John 2:15 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”
James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
We have a sin nature. It has corrupted our relationship with God. It doesn’t just go away when we get saved. That is why the scripture warns us that it isn’t in our nature, our spirit to do what is right—our nature is to want what we do not have and do what we should not do. Paul addresses this truth in his letter to the Romans.
Romans 7: 15 & 22–8:2 “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I….For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
“But He” – I believe this is talking about God. He is the giver of grace. The Greek makes the statement that grace includes “especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life.” What is the significance of “more” grace. I think this is referring in proportion to the influence of the “spirit that dwelleth in us” in verse 5—how much we allow the Holy Spirit to influence us vs. the influence of the spirit of the flesh.
“Wherefore he saith” – Again, I think the he should be He; a reference is being made to God’s word to mankind.
Proverbs 3:34 “Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.”
The word resisteth seems to indicate opposition and setting oneself against, and the word scorn seems to indicate mocking. I think it is saying that God mocks the mocker and strongly opposes the proud, the haughty, those who think they are better than others. On the other hand, God makes provision for those who are humble, lowly in spirit, meek; He strengthens and provides for them to get victory over that “spirit that dwelleth in us” that urges us to sin (verse 5).
Isaiah 13:11 “And I will punish the world for their evil, and the wicked for their iniquity; and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease, and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible.”
Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
1 Peter 5:5 “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
“Submit yourselves” = obey, place yourself in subjection to, subordinate yourself
My paraphrase – Obey God. Strongly oppose Satan, and he will run away from you.
How do we strongly oppose Satan? We can’t in and of ourselves. We must completely surrender to the will of God. If you are obeying God, He will strengthen you and enable you to have victory over the temptations of the “god of this world.” The next verse is the key to this victory.
Time for another quote from notes on Wiersbe: There are two trinities in the Bible. The heavenly trinity is the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The other is the world, flesh, and the devil; this is the unholy trinity. The battlefield is the will. There used to be a line drawn between the world and the will of God. These days they keep moving the line. [These notes are from 1971; how much more true is this statement today.] First of all, it is easy to get friendly with the world. Then you can get spotted by the world, because you can’t walk with someone that is defiled without getting dirty. Finally, you begin to love the world.”
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
The more we are obedient to God and the more we immerse ourselves in His Word, the more intimate our relationship will be. Do we want to give Him the most prominent place in our life; or do we just want Him around, but not close enough to interfere with “our” plans and choices?
I think the emphasis on the second half of the verse is regarding our actions in the flesh (hands) and the desires and intents of our inner being (hearts). James is telling us to clean up our act and clean up our thoughts and desires. It is a fact that as believers we are dealing with a dual nature—one that is fallen and one that is new (born again, restored).
Romans 7:22-23 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.”
What is the best way to cleanse our hands and purify our hearts?
By avoiding improper pride and being honest.
Psalms 24:4 “He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”
By observing and attending to God’s word.
Psalms 119:9 “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”
By having a healthy fear and respect for God.
2 Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”
By fleeing fleshly desires and seeking to cultivate the fruits of the spirit in our life.
2 Timothy 2:22 “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”
By loving those in our spiritual family with a sincere heart.
1 Peter 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently….”
By walking in the light of God’s revealed will.
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
By confessing our sins to the Father.
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
By eagerly anticipating the LORD’s return.
1 John 3:2–3 “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
Recognize who you are without Jesus. Let it cause you misery, grief, tears, mourning and heaviness of spirit. There is no true fulfillment in life without the LORD. Jesus pointed out the prayer of a publican that revealed a heart that vividly illustrates this truth.
Luke 18:13 “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James urges the believer to take on a position of humility and meekness before the LORD. Those who are humble before Him—“He shall lift up.” This is a promise. How will He lift you up? He will give you joy, happiness, peace, contentment and fulfillment. This truth is affirmed by other scripture.
Matthew 23:12 “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”
1 Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time….”
James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
The first phrase is simple enough. We are not to slander or speak about a brother in Christ in an evil way. I had no clue how to go about explaining the next part of the verse, so I read a couple of commentaries. I was trying to figure out how James could equate the brother with the law. What I understood is that how we respond to our brother reflects our thoughts concerning the law (and that makes sense). If the law says we are to love one another, and we choose to disobey that law (in this case speak evil of our brother), then we are saying in effect—That law isn’t worth the paper it is written on. Once we make that choice, we have put ourselves in the position of judge regarding that law. That is not our position—as the next verse is quick to point out.
Guzik quoting Barclay: “Speak evil translates the ancient Greek word katalalia. ‘Katalalia is the sin of those who meet in corners and gather in little groups and pass on confidential information which destroy the good name of those who are not there to defend themselves.’”
James 4:12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
The law originated from one being—God. He is the only one with the authority and power to save our lives eternally or condemn us for eternity. James is basically saying—Who do you think you are to pass judgment on anyone? (The implication being that we are not perfect either and are therefore in no way qualified to pass righteous judgment on someone else.)
James 4:13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
“Go to” = come; it is an imperative, a command
I think James is using strong language to get their attention. He wants them to think about their attitude and assumptions. They are assuming that they have more than just “NOW” to make plans and implement them. The fact of the matter is that no one is guaranteed future time on this earth. Our lives are just like a vapor, a mist; you experience it for a short time and then suddenly it is gone—vanished; it is over.
Solomon affirmed this truth: Proverbs 27:1 “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
James 4:15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Because of the uncertainty of our lifespan, we should always make plans with the understanding that “only if the LORD will” will we be able to carry them out.
James 4:16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
Evidently these believers were taking pride in and being arrogant about their successes in life; e.g., “Look what I have done.” That is wrong! Only by the grace of God and through His provision are we able to do anything that is good. In and of ourselves we can do no good thing.
John 15:5 & 7 “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing….If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
This verse points out that there are sins of omission just as surely as sins of commission. This truth is affirmed in other scripture.
Matthew 23:23 “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.”
Matthew 25:41–45 “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.”
1 John 3:17 “But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”
Jeremiah 11:8 “Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.”
This verse has stuck with me through the years. Much to my shame, I have often ignored its teaching because of selfish motives and “human” reasoning. It is a verse that the Spirit has used over and over again in my life to bring me to conviction and a place of shame and repentance before the LORD. Many compromises made on behalf of the kids were made with this verse hovering in my conscience. I justified that I had to make these compromises in order not to lose communication with my children. Sometimes it was making compromises just to “fit in” and not appear to be holier than thou to family and friends. Those were wrong choices that reflected a lack of trust in God to take care of the outcome. My duty as a parent and as a representative of Jesus is to make the right choice without regard to the consequences. Thankfully, I have grown through the years to become bolder and more diligent to what I know is pleasing to the LORD—no matter what friends and family may think.