Verses to Abide In
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body” (James 2:26–3:2, ESV).
Digging Deeper
In Context
From Charles Swindoll:
In James 2:14-26, the half brother of our Lord zoomed in on his central message—real faith produces genuine works. Throughout the book of James, a probing question holds his whole theme together: “If you say you believe like you should, why do you behave like you shouldn’t?” In James 3:1-12, he develops this general theme in a very specific direction: controlling the tongue. No other section of the Bible speaks with greater clarity and impact on the potential destructive power of our words. We might summarize this powerful passage in the form of a question: “If you say you believe like you should, why do you say things you shouldn’t?” (Swindoll's Living Insights New Testament Commentary – James).
"Stumble"
From Bruce Hurt:
What is James explaining here? He is explaining the teacher's responsibility is weighty because of the universal propensity to sin ("stumble"), not just teachers but everyone.
Douglas Moo adds that "The probable logic of the argument is: Teachers are more susceptible to judgment than others because they regularly engage in that activity which is hardest to keep from sin—one's speech” (The Pillar New Testament Commentary – The Letter of James).
From Swindoll:
"the real test of teachers isn’t what they say, but what their families say. The extent of people’s ministries isn’t the size of their churches, it’s the depth of their family life. Teachers must never forget that.”
https://www.preceptaustin.org/james-3-commentary
From the Heart
I was meditating on, memorizing, and internalizing James 3:1 the other morning, and I felt really convicted.
The night before, I had been dealing with a health issue poorly, not consciously seeing how it was affecting me or recognizing the emotions of anger and irritation that were producing a complaining and judgmental attitude.
Thankfully, the Spirit prompted me about my behavior, and I confessed it to God and to my husband, seeking forgiveness.
I asked Michael to confirm what I thought I was seeing.
Michael said I was “pretty rough.”
I know he was being kind.
I had stumbled.
That same morning—after emailing my James study sisters about it—while I continued getting ready for the day, I sang “He Loves Me.”
As I soaked in the lyrics, I felt the weariness and guilt of my sin fade away. I was blessed all over again by the love God has for me, by his amazing grace.
Let's Pray
Abba, thank you for your love (John 3:16).
Thank you for your amazing grace (Ephesians 2:8–10).
Search our hearts (Psalm 139:23–24).
Show us any way we have stumbled (James 2:10).
Please forgive me for…
Enable us to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness, and to receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save our souls (James 1:21). Yes, sanctify us with your word.
We acknowledge that all people stumble (James 2:10).
We acknowledge that we all fall short of your glory (Romans 3:23).
We acknowledge that there is none righteous, no, not one (Romans 3:10).
So we ask, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3, ESV)!
May we be able to say in truth, “I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence” (Psalm 39:1, ESV).
We ask (John 15:7).
We trust (Jeremiah 17:7).
We anchor our hope in you (Hebrews 6:19).
In the name of Jesus, our Savior (1 John 4:14), our Friend (John 15:15).
In your Spirit, our Helper (John 14:26).
Amen.
“He Loves Me”
As mentioned above…
Some days I think I‘ve done a good job
No broken hearts; no tears were shed on my account, my conscience clear
But then my heart will penetrate
And seek the One who really knows my sad estate; I need His grace
He loves me; He saves me
No matter how great is the depth of my wrong
He forgives me; He gives me
A change in my heart that makes a new song
It’s amazing grace.
If I wander, if I stray
And turn my back upon Your ways
You wait for me. How can that be?
If I spat upon Your face
Disfigured You beyond a trace
Still You would give amazing grace.
He loves me; He saves me
No matter how great is the depth of my wrong
He forgives me; He gives me
A change in my heart that makes a new song
It’s amazing grace.
For in everything we will have victory
For we know in truth
That neither death nor life nor anything
Can take us from the love of God
That is in Christ; He paid the price.
He loves me; He saves me
No matter how great is the depth of my wrong
He forgives me; He gives me
A change in my heart that makes a new song
It’s amazing grace.
You love me; You save me
No matter how great is the depth of my wrong
You forgive me; You give me
A change in my heart that makes a new song
It’s amazing grace.
It’s amazing grace.