No part of the human anatomy does more damage than the tongue. This is especially true when it is being used to spread false “Truths” about the Lord, His will and way. Chapter three speaks to this issue. The subject was introduced in 1:26 where He warns the more religious among us that they must bridle (control) their tongues, making certain that what they are presenting to hearers as the Word of God is in fact the Word of God. Otherwise, they are speaking from their own vain hearts. This is true of this writer also. No one, no matter how well-meaning, is beyond the grasp of the devil. As we are told in Matthew 24:24, even God’s very elect can be deceived by the great deceiver. Constant diligence is commanded for those who speak in the name of the Lord. Let us now study His Truths relative to the subject of the tongue and its part in His ministry. He begins chapter three with a warning (you may have noticed that there are myriads of warnings in God’s Word).

Verse one: James is writing to his “brethren”–those Israelites who have come to Jesus Christ in recognition of His Messiahship. In this verse he warns them that they are not to arbitrarily speak for the Lord, but must be certain that 1) He has instructed them to do so, and 2) they are speaking His Truth. The word “master” means teacher–one who knows his subject. To teach is to dispense information. All normal adults are teachers to one degree or another. Most teaching does not have eternal consequences. However, wrong Biblical teaching has sent billions of God-seekers through the wide gate and along the broad leading away from the Lord they were seeking. And the deception continues and is increasing exponentially. Proof of this can be found 24-7 by simply turning on the t.v. or radio or connecting with the internet. But remember: all that glitters is not real gold. The only way to distinguish between real gold and “fool’s gold” is to know the real gold–God’s Word. Also, one must be able to put the various gold nuggets (statements) together properly and in proper context in order to determine the Truth God has provided (Isa. 28:9,10,13). Nugget (a Truth) must be joined to all other relative nuggets in order to form the Truth God is presenting about a subject. These nuggets must be searched for, found, embraced and obeyed. Otherwise one will be deceived by Satan into accepting his “gold” which, though it glitters exactly like God’s gold, is worthless (Rev. 12:9). Unfortunately, the vast majority of church people fall for the fake (Mat. 7:13,14).

The second part of verse one concerns condemnation. Like one who gives a car key to a four-year-old is held responsible for the outcome, one who teaches a perverted gospel (most church doctrine) to a Truth-seeker will be held directly responsible for the direction the hearer takes. The word “greater” relative to condemnation proves that both the speaker and the hearer of false doctrine will be condemned–the speaker for speaking lies, the hearer for believing lies. Being deliberately ignorant of God’s word, both are condemned by Him, the speaker receiving the greater condemnation. All Biblical ignorance is self-inflicted. The Bible is the most purchased tome in the world. Millions are given away annually. There are no excuses. L.J.