James sounds harsh when he says in 1:26: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.” Chapter 3 begins with a discussion about taming the tongue. Why is James so concerned about the tongue? Because it is a window into our hearts. And so he says that the tongue must be tamed. He also says no human being can tame the tongue. What are we to do?
Hope for Our Speech: Do We Just Try Harder?
James 3:1-12
July 14, 2019 • Murray Lee
More from
James: Faith in Everyday Life
Prayer and Healing
August 25, 2019 • Murray Lee
To those who experience difficult circumstances in this life, Jesus is coming again. To those whose circumstances cause them anxiety, worry and pain, Jesus is coming again. To those who are oppressed, downtrodden, and full of sorrow, Jesus is coming again. The promise of Jesus coming again brings hope for the future as well as the present. God is not merely concerned with the end. He is also concerned with today. And he tells us in James 5:13-18 that whatever season of life you find yourself in, believers are to pray.
Golden Repair
August 18, 2019 • Murray Lee
James has warned the wealthy non-Christian landowners in the first six verses of chapter five that their hoarding of money brought about by fraud and oppression to feed self-indulgence commits violence against the poor and will not go unpunished. God is coming to judge those who oppress his people and the riches laid up in storage to guard against potential catastrophe will serve to fuel their inevitable catastrophe. Beginning in verse seven, James speaks to those who are oppressed: be patient, the Lord is coming soon. Why do we need to hear this? Because life’s circumstances cause anxiety and worry. But knowing the Lord is coming gives strength to the Christian to persevere.