Sins Of The Tongue

      Readers are asked to read James 3, the entire chapter. It would help understanding further to read again from one of the modern paraphrases, such as the Living Bible.

1 Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged by God with greater strictness. 2 We all make many mistakes, but those who control their tongues can also control themselves in every other way. 3 We can make a large horse turn around and go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. 4 And a tiny rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot wants it to go, even though the winds are strong. 5 So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. 6 And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. 7 People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 11 Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? 12 Can you pick olives from a fig tree or figs from a grapevine? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty pool. 13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! 14 But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. 15 For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. 16 For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

Christ The Only Basis For True Brotherhood

      The Fatherhood of God makes possible the brotherhood of man in Christ. Apart from Christ there is no real basis for true brotherhood - no opportunity and no real purpose.

    Apart from Christ, what is the brotherhood of man? Think of the difference between pretending that he is a brother and discovering that he really is a brother, loving and honoring the same Father. In the world today the term "brotherhood of men" is nonsense save for the thought of the Fatherhood of God. This and this alone brings brotherhood in the family of God, and only in Christ.

    Apart from Christ, why should I love my brother? Apart from a common Father, he is little or nothing to me. I may be attracted naturally to some, maybe to many. But usually our love for our brother evaporates when he offends me, when his opinions are different from mine, or our interests conflict. We truly love our brother only in the light of the Father who showed us what true love was when He gave His own Son for our sins. Jesus shows us this love when He willingly did the will of the Father, giving His life on the cruel cross of Calvary. This love is a much stronger love than human sentimentality provides, and only true Christianity provides this love.

      Furthermore, you cannot expect a man to act like a brother who is not a Christian. Many seem to have an interest in the brotherhood of mankind simply because it is noble. Many associate with others and call them "brothers" for what they can get from them. In a sense they are simply "using" others for selfish ends. Sadly, many see "the church" as a group they can "join," and obtain social benefits and blessings. These often attempt to bring in the family of God but without submission to Christ. This simply will not work. To make the principles of brotherhood work, men must first be brought to Christ, then men of Christ can take principles of Christ and work them out according to Christ's purposes.

       We need to persuade people that you cannot take Biblical ideas away from their source of power in Christ, and impose them by some means upon an unconverted people. They can not be made to work through social or governmental machinery. The kingdom of God will never come through this means. True brotherhood requires men of Christ, filled with the spirit of Christ, working together for the purposes of Christ. Nothing would so woefully fail as the attempt of a largely unspiritual people to impose the Biblical ideas of brotherhood upon one another.

Might move this to near top

      What is the correct name for the followers of Christ? Interest in this question became a matter of great concern during the pioneer days of early America and many competent scholars gave much attention to it.

      Three names were generally considered to be Scriptural names. These were "Christian," "disciple," and "brother;" in the plural, "Christians," "disciples," or "brethren." This was not so much a name by which others might call us, but a name by which we might call ourselves. However, if we ourselves did not know by which name we ought to be called, how could we expect others to know the correct or acceptable name. We well know the problem even today that denominational Christians have in referring to us, and this is complicated by our own doubts about the matter.

      The name "Christian" seemed then to be most popular, largely because of the idea that it was of divine origin and authority. Did not Paul and Barnabas name the disciples at Antioch "Christians?" Was this not according to Divine sanction? (See Is. 62:2.) Many thought so. The truth is that there is no conclusive proof that this is so. Campbell taught that a matter so difficult of proof was probably not the name intended by the Holy Spirit. It is thought by many that this name was given at first to the early disciples apparently in reproach, and by their enemies. Peter did say in connection with the name,

"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed: but let him glorify God on this behalf" (1 Peter 4:14-16).

This seems to show that it was a part of their persecution to be called Christians, but there is no evidence that they ever adopted the title.

      That it is not of divine authority is argued from the following. First, the writer who states that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch (Acts 11:26) never again uses the term to refer to the disciples. This is most strange. It would certainly seem that he would have done so, but instead he continues to use the word "disciples." We recall that when the names of Sari and Abram were changed by divine authority the writer who records the circumstances does always afterwards use the new names, Sarah and Abraham. Had there been a divine warrant for the change of "disciple" to "Christian," the remarkably accurate historian, Luke, would have been guided by the same authority to be consistent. This he did not do.

      Next, one of the strongest objections by some to the adoption of the name "Christian," is that it does not at all express the same idea now which it did in early days. Then it simply denoted a follower of Christ, one who acknowledged Christ as his leader, without any special reference to character. When the matter of character was considered, followers of Christ were often looked upon by Jews and Gentiles as being lawbreakers and changers of custom, and in the most severe cases, atheists and blasphemers of God and haters of mankind. Stories of such had been grossly exaggerated, of course, and was the basis for many of the false accusations against the disciples.

      Today, to the contrary, the term "Christian" is used almost exclusively in reference to character, and denotes one who has attained to the highest moral and religious quality. It was formerly a reproach but it is now an honor. To present one's self as a "Christian" is to claim from others a degree of consideration and respect because of a title, which they have been accustomed to pay only to character. To present another as a "Christian" is to bestow upon him the highest compliment.

      The word "disciple" is rarely used today, although it would seem to have suffered less change by far than the word Christian. The word means one who is an involved, concerned learner. "If you continue in my word," said Jesus, "then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31,32). Both "disciple" and "Christian" seems to relate primarily to the relationship between saint and Saviour, and only secondarily to the relationship with others. To be one of many Christians, or disciples, is to imply that all have a relationship with the one being followed, or the teacher being studied. The demands put upon those by the Lord who desired to become disciples give much insight into the high calling of God for His children. (Study Luke 14.)

      The word "brother," or collectively "brethren," seems to be the term that is more naturally suitable, and therefore more applicable to our situation. There are two things conscious among brethren, affection and familiarity. Everyone expects brethren to have fraternal affection, and everybody knows that brethren ought to have a certain familiarity which would permit liberties to be taken. No one claims that where there is the greater familiarity there is the greatest affection (Consider the "familiarity breeds contempt" maxim), but it is true that where there is the greater affection there is the greater familiarity.

"This is my command," said Jesus, "that you love one another as I have loved you. . . . Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you" (John 15:12,15).

      The term brethren seems suitable and applicable for other reasons. It seems to have been used almost interchangeably in the Scriptures with the word disciple so as to have equal authority. It actually occurs much more frequently than disciple, and certainly "Christian," which occurs only three times in the New Testament. The term was used by the Lord himself to designate His disciples.

"Be not ye called Rabbi," He said, "for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren" (Matt. 23:8).

      Furthermore, the term is derived from a natural relation which is unchangeable, thereby expressing the same idea today as by the beginning, which is not true of the other terms. It is also free from any appearance of self- righteousness or arrogance.

      It is not our purpose to advocate a change of habit in referring to one another. It is our purpose to acknowledge the significance of the relationship of brother to brother and to examine ourselves to see if this relationship is as it should be in our lives. The word "brother," or "brethren," is a good word to study in order to understand the general law of God concerning human relationships.

Brotherhood

"Human brotherhood is not just a goal. it is a condition on which our way of life depends. The question for our time is not whether all men are brothers. that question has been answered by the God who placed us on this earth together. The question is whether we have the strength and the will to make the brotherhood of man the guiding principle of our daily lives" (John F. Kennedy)

The New Testament And Brotherhood

      The New Testament is literally filled with commands and exhortations for those in Christ Jesus to treat one another in a special way. While saints are "to do good to all men," they are to do so "especially to those who are of the household of faith" (Gal. 6:10). Now "household" implies family, and family presupposes "brethren." It is interesting, and certainly not just happenstance, that this chapter begins with, "Brethren." Paul apparently intended all that followed in the chapter to be applicable to brethren.

      Have you ever considered how much of the New Testament is written in the context of "brethren?" There is a "mountain" of command, exhortation and pleading build around the idea of brother working with brother, and each being in bondage to the laws of brotherhood because of their spiritual relationship with God the Father and the "only begotten" of God, our elder brother.

   Among those commands in the New Testament associated with the word "brother," or, "brethren" are the following:

Brethren must not be "angry" with another, call a brother "stupid," or a "fool" (Matt. 5:22). Brethren must not "judge" another brother lest he be judged, and should remove the beam from his own eye before attempting to remove the mote from another's eye. (Matt. 7:1-3.) Brethren must not "judge" or "set at naught" the "weak in the faith," nor "put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in another's way," or to "offend," or "make weak." (Rom. 14:1,10,13,21.) If a brother trespasses against you he is to be "rebuked," and "forgiven" if he repents, indefinitely. (Matt. 18:15-22; Luke 17:3,4.)

Brethren must not use liberty in Christ if in so doing it causes another to "offend" and thereby "perish," and must "by love serve one another." (1 Cor. 8:11,13; Gal. 5:13.) He should "abound in the grace" of assisting poor saints "as a matter of grace and not of covetousness." (2 Cor. 8:7; 9:5.)

Brethren must "restore" those overtaken in faults and sins. (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19,20.) Brethren must not "defraud" other brethren in any matter. (1 Thess. 4:6.) Brethren must "be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love," and increase in the same, in order to, or for the purpose of, accomplishing divine love. (Rom. 12:10.) Brethren must "love" and not "hate" other brothers. (1 John 2:7-11; 3:14.) Brethren must "withdraw themselves" from every brother that walketh disorderly," "note" him and "have no company with him, that he may be ashamed; yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother." (2 Thess. 3:6,4,15.)

Brethren must "know them which labour" among him and the others, and are "over him in the Lord, and admonish him;" and they must esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake." (1 Thess. 5:12,13.) Brethren must "be at peace among" the rest. (v.13.) Brethren must "warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, and be patient toward all men." (v.14.) Brethren must not "render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among his own brethren, and to all men." (v.15.) Brethren must "rejoice evermore and pray without ceasing." (v.16,17.)

Brethren who are slaves or servants of unbelievers must "count their masters worthy of honor," and brethren who have believing masters must not "despise" them, but rather "do them service," "because they are brethren." (1 Tim. 6:1,2.)

Brethren must "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works, not forsaking the assembling of themselves together . . . but exhorting one another" (Heb. 10:24,25.) Brethren must not "speak evil one of another." nor "grudge against one another." (vs.9,11.) Brethren must accompany their faith with their works in time of need of others, for "faith without works, is dead, being alone" (James 2:17.) Brethren must learn to control their tongues. (Chap. 3.)

Brethren must "speak the same thing, that there be no divisions among them, and be perfectly joined together in the same mind and same judgment." (1 Cor. 1:10.) Brethren must learn "not to think of men above that which is written, that no one be puffed up for one against another." (1 Cor. 4:6.) Brethren must not "glory in men." (3:21.) Brethren must not "go to law" against another brother for in so doing they "do wrong, and defraud." (See 1 Cor. 6:1-8.) Brethren must not use their estate in Christ to further their earthly estate. (1 Cor. 7:24.) Brethren ought to be considerate of all others as pertaining to the communion in the Lord's Supper. (11:33.)

      One simply cannot but be impressed by these many commands pertaining to brotherhood in the family of God.

The Art Of Fitly Chosen Words

      In our efforts to fulfill the demands of brotherhood, fitly chosen words are extremely important. As David said, "A word fitly chosen is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear" (Ps. 25:11). And again, "A word spoken in due season, how good it is!" (Ps. 15:23). And in answer to the question, “Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart; he that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. . . . He that doeth these things shall never be moved" (Ps. 15:1-3,5)."

      In the NT we read of communication that is "good, and "with grace."

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth - this is the negative side - but that which is Good To The Use Of Edifying - this is the positive side - that it may minister grace to the hearers - this is the result. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Eph. 4:29ff).

"Let your speech be Always With Grace, Seasoned With Salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:6).

      And so we conclude, that there is a significant connection between what a man says, and how he says it; "fitly chosen" words, "good to the use of edifying" words, and "graceful, seasoned with salt" words, and peacemaking. This would seem to be an inescapable conclusion, considering the Scriptures.

Let Us Consider One Another

      Smooth words by hypocrites do harm

PRO 6:17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

PRO 6:24 To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.

PRO 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

PRO 10:31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

PRO 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

PRO 12:19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

PRO 15:2 The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

PRO 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

PRO 16:1 The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

PRO 17:4 A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.

PRO 17:20 He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

PRO 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

PRO 21:6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.

PRO 21:23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

PRO 25:15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

PRO 25:23 The north wind driveth away rain: so doth an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.

PRO 26:28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

PRO 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

PRO 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Insincerity

(The parrot story here?)

      What a terrible commentary on the power of negative talk, "corrupting communication," Paul says. Is it not applicable to much of the negative conversation freely given by the prophets of doom and gloom today?

get definition of "brother." Do "masons" call one another brother? Do trade union members?

Brotherhood

VB Visitor: If your mother gave you two apples and told you to give one to your brother, would you give him the little one or the big one?

Johnny: Do you mean my little brother or my big one?