B. Controlling the Mind 3:13-18

As in the previous chapters, James began his discussion of human speech with a practical exhortation and continued to deal with increasingly basic issues. He spoke of the importance of controlling one's mind next to enable his readers to understand how to control their tongues. Wisdom in the mind affects one's use of his or her tongue. Note the key words "wise"and "wisdom"(vv. 13, 17), which bracket the thought of this section, as well of the prominence of "peaceable"and "peace"that conclude it (vv. 17, 18).

 1. The importance of humility 3:13

The real qualifications of a teacher (v. 1) are wisdom (the ability to view life from God's perspective) and understanding (mental perception and comprehension).¹⁴⁵We can perceive understanding in others quite easily, but wisdom is more difficult to identify. James said to look at a person's behavior if you want to see if he or she is wise. The wisdom James had in mind did not result so much in what one thinks or says but in what one does.¹⁴⁶One of the marks of wisdom is gentleness, meekness, humility. The Greek word prauteti("gentleness") occurs in non-biblical literature to describe a horse that someone had broken and had trained to submit to a bridle.¹⁴⁷It pictures strength under control, specifically the Holy Spirit's control. The evidence of this attitude is a deliberate placing of oneself under divine authority. The only way to control the tongue is to place one's mind deliberately under the authority of God and to let Him control it (cf. Matt. 11:27; 2 Cor. 10:1). James' concept of wisdom was Hebraic rather than Greek, moral more than intellectual (cf. 1:5).

"The problem seems to be that some self-styled chief people, thinking they were endowed with superior wisdom and understanding, had divided the church because of their teaching, which betrayed a misuse of the tongue."¹⁴⁸

 2. The importance of graciousness 3:14-16

3:14 "Bitter jealousy"and "selfish ambition"are motives that must not inhabit the heart of a teacher or he will find himself saying things he should not. These are attitudes toward others and self that are the antithesis of graciousness that seeks the welfare of others before self. Jealousy and ambition are manifestations of arrogance, and they result in promoting self rather than the truth the teacher is responsible to communicate. Lying against the truth means teaching untrue things, things that oppose the truth. Those who boast of wisdom are not of God because humility does not mark their lives.

3:15 This type of so-called "wisdom,"which springs from jealousy and ambition, does not have its source in the fear of the Lord. It comes from the spirit (philosophy) of this world (cf. 2:1-7). It consists of only what is natural excluding the supernatural influence of God's Spirit. Furthermore it is demon-like in its deception, hypocrisy, and evil.

3:16 God is not the God of disorder but of order and peace (1 Cor. 14:33). He opposes every evil thing (1 John 1:5). Therefore ungracious jealousy and personal ambition are not part of the wisdom He provides.

 3. The importance of loving peace 3:17-18

3:17 In contrast, the wisdom God gives has several characteristics. It is pure, meaning free of the defilements mentioned. It is peaceable, namely, peace-loving, peace-practicing, and peace-yielding. It is gentle or considerate of others. It is reasonable, that is, open to reason and willing to yield to reasonable requests. It is full of mercy in that it is actively sympathetic to the needy. It is full of good fruits (good works). It is unwaveringly singleminded in its devotion to God rather than double-minded. It is, finally, without hypocrisy, namely, true to appearances.

"Thus purity' is not just one quality among others but the key to them all."¹⁴⁹

3:18 People committed to preserving peace must teach the Word of God peacefully to reap a harvest of righteousness (cf. 1:20). That good fruit will not come if teachers sow it in words and ways that inflame and antagonize people (cf. 1 Tim. 5:1-2; 2 Tim. 2:14, 24-26).

"To raise a harvest of righteousness' demands a certain kind of climate. A crop of righteousness cannot be produced in the climate of bitterness and self-seeking. Righteousness will grow only in a climate of peace."¹⁵⁰

To restate James' thought in this chapter, our words are very important as we seek to carry out the ministry God has called us to fulfill. We cannot control our tongues easily. Therefore we should not be too quick to take on a teaching ministry. The only One who can control our tongues is God who can give us wisdom. The marks of the wisdom He provides are humility, graciousness, and peace.

James warns against anything that does not bear the fruit of good works: unfruitful religion (1:25-26), unfruitful faith (2:26), and unfruitful wisdom (3:17-18).