My comments on the left and in the text, within brackets
James 3 [WEB]:
1 Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment. 2 For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also. 3 Indeed, we put bits into the horses’ mouths so that they may obey us, and we guide their whole body. 4 Behold, the ships also, though they are so big and are driven by fierce winds, are yet guided by a very small rudder, wherever the pilot desires.
According to James, when ‘Christians’ wish evil on people they’re clearly driven by Hell, itself.
5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature, and is set on fire by Gehenna [HELL – KJV]. 7 For every kind of animal, bird, creeping thing, and thing in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But nobody can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
A spring can either produce fresh or bitter water — not both. ‘Christians’ can’t curse people and also bless God in Spirit and in truth. Such ‘Christians’ are hypocrites (v. 17).
9 With it we [‘Christians’ – ed.] bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who are made in the image of God. 10 Out of the same mouth comes forth blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, yield olives, or a vine figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh water.
When ‘Christians’ have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their hearts, this isn’t from the Holy Spirit, but demons.
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition IN YOUR HEART, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is NOT that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and DEMONIC. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Jesus in Matthew 5:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
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It’s also interesting how jealousy is in Paul’s who-does-NOT-go-to-heaven list in Galatians 5. James calls it bitter jealousy, which is probably also the case in Paul’s list.
And hatred is a key component to James-3-cursing.
19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
And Paul’s who-goes-to-heaven list, that follows, is very similar in terminology to what James says in verses 17 and 18 of James 3.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Related:
(prophesy) A Gift that Will Set Many Free! (A Death Warrant is Out for Your Souls) — “I’ve given you the gift of tongues from My heart to you”
The Remedy for James-3 Cursing & Partysville in Today’s Church is James 4
Can a Christian Have a Demon? Absolutely! Most Have Many!
WordPOWER: Repay No One Evil for Evil — Don’t Curse — Give Place to God’s Wrath
Martin Luther Cursed from His Heart Catholic Leaders, ‘Every Day’
[WordPOWER!] Romans 12: Repay No One Evil for Evil — Don’t Curse — Give Place to God’s Wrath
Nightline: Speaking in tongues medical study PROVES Holy Spirit praying
How to speak in other tongues as the Holy Spirit leads you
How to speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit enables you
Jim Feeney: Why Speak in Tongues? (Is Speaking in Tongues of God? Is It for Today?)
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