When addressing the matter of controlling the tongue and seeking wisdom from God, James urges his readers to recognise the weight of their words. He reminds them that speech has the power to either heal or harm, and therefore must be governed by godly wisdom. According to James, anyone who considers themselves religious yet fails to keep their tongue in check is only deceiving themselves, for such religion holds no real value before God.
Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
James 1:26-27 (NIV)
Many religions across the world seem to operate on this guiding principle — “Do good and you will please God.” But is that truly an accurate understanding of what God desires from religion? This belief is evident across various faith communities. The Catholic Church, for instance, places strong emphasis on charity and has made remarkable efforts to uplift communities through education and social service. Similarly, Gurudwaras tirelessly serve langar meals to the hungry, feeding the poor daily, regardless of background or status. In their own ways, numerous religions strive to help the downtrodden and make the world a better place.
Yet, does this kind of religion necessarily lead us closer to God? While such deeds are noble, they cannot be mistaken as a substitute for seeking God Himself. Doing good for others is not the same as pursuing God. Just as a book club exists for the love of literature or a bike club for the joy of riding, religion too exists — for the sake of doing, rather than an act of devotion directed toward God. Today, many equate goodness only with material acts — feeding the hungry, offering jobs, or providing basic necessities. Others believe that sharing the gospel is the highest form of doing good unto others. Each of these has value, yet none should replace the deeper pursuit of knowing God Himself.
Taming The Tongue
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1 (NIV)
It is quite ironic that James, the very first leader of the church, was warning others not to follow his own path of leadership. There is a clear difference between someone who genuinely helps others draw closer to God by showing them what is needed, and another who judges and points out flaws, saying, “You need me to go to God.” We cannot judge who lacks what or who needs what, for we cannot see the heart. James had become the head of the church, but sadly, he began diverting people to approach the chosen apostles and leaders as though they were the ones through whom they could reach God.
This resembles the priesthood of Aaron, where priests interceded on behalf of the people. James, being well-versed in the Hebrew Scriptures, seems to be leading the church back to the laws and traditions of Aaron’s time. This is what happens when the heart is not fully transformed—we tend to cling to what is familiar for guidance instead of coming directly to Jesus. It is striking that James was cautioning others against becoming informal teachers when his own brother was a travelling rabbi rejected by the religious establishment.
We are all called to be a royal priesthood, yet even today, there are some who restrict others from walking in that calling. Speaking from their own experiences, they recount their difficult encounters—not to magnify the grace of God, but to discourage others from taking the same path. Many warn against getting involved in church, taking up leadership, or even teaching God’s Word in a personal setting. Perhaps jealousy or possessiveness drives such actions, but in doing so, they withhold the grace freely given to them and blind others with fear, turning them away from what God intends for them to do. In essence, they end up doing the work of the evil one.
…the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
James 3:5 (NIV)
Rather than taming the filth that comes from their mouths, people often end up taming the conviction of God, silencing what He wants them to speak. The real issue is not the taming of the tongue, but the taming of the heart. If our hearts truly loved God and His creation, then how is it that, in the anger, rage, and curses flow from our lips toward our fellow men? It is because of the wickedness rooted in our hearts.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
James 3:10 (NIV)
People speak in tongues — uttering words of worship — and yet, in the same breath, they criticise others and speak curses. How is such a contradiction possible? If what we believe and practice is true, then why do we allow such hypocrisy to flow from the same mouth that praises God? If we are truly a chosen people, a royal priesthood set apart for God, then why do we continue to do the same with our ordinary tongues? The problem is not in the act of speaking, but in the condition of the heart that guides those words.
Worldly Wisdom Vs Godly Wisdom
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom
James 3:13 (NIV)
James insists on showing wisdom and understanding because he is leading a church, and people naturally follow the example of their leader. Why does he emphasise outward demonstration? Because he knows that when someone appears righteous, others will imitate that behaviour and try to be righteous as well.
However, James seems to believe that his own righteousness and closeness to God come from his deeds. This may be why he feels it is not possible for everyone to reach the same closeness to God — he measures it through actions rather than through the transformation of the heart.
Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:15-16 (NIV)
James asks a hard question through his words — is the wisdom of the world demonic? It certainly sounds like strong language, yet it makes sense when we consider the nature of the world we live in. This is a fallen world, operating by the “manual to success” written by the ruler of this world. What it calls “wisdom” is often driven by envy, competition, and selfish ambition — attitudes that oppose the heart of God.
This is why James calls it earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. The tragedy is that such worldly wisdom has now found its way into the church. Envy and selfish ambition no longer stay outside but have crept into leadership, ministry, and fellowship, bringing confusion and every kind of evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 (NIV)
The wisdom that comes from heaven teaches us to let go of selfish ambition, while the wisdom of the world thrives on it. Worldly wisdom is driven by desire, by comparison, and by the constant need to have what others possess. In contrast, God’s wisdom calls us to humility, peace, and purity. Yet if this wisdom from above is so pure, why do people not desire it? Because we often love the world more than we love God. We want what the world offers — recognition, success, power — and therefore we fail to value what God’s wisdom brings. We do not see immediate gain in living by it, and so we settle for what seems practical and rewarding in the present.
We ask ourseleves that does heavenly wisdom have practical value in our daily lives, or is it only for our spiritual growth? The truth is, when we begin to see the true worth of God’s wisdom, we naturally start to disregard the wisdom of the world. Until we discover the richness of His wisdom, we will keep settling for the counterfeit version the world offers. James began his letter by linking religion to righteousness, but he ends here by showing that true righteousness belongs to those who who use God’s wisdom to pursue peace.
Discussion Topics
- Why does James, the first leader of the church, seem to warn others not to follow his own path of leadership?
- Is taming the tongue more important, or taming the heart?
- Why does James insist on showing our wisdom and understanding?
- Is the wisdom of the world demonic?
- How is wisdom from God different from worldly wisdom?
The Jordan Valley 
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