Worldliness in the Church
These people create divisions and are worldly, not having the Spirit.
Jude 1:19
Jude, brother of James and also witness of Jesus risen from death, stands with all the Apostles when he urges us, “Contend for the faith.” He cautions, “some have come in by stealth; they are ungodly, turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.
The concern of both half-brothers of Jesus for the saints (those of the church) to whom they write calls for inward discernment. Among us are worldly (false worshipers) who do not have (or know) the Holy Spirit, therefore beware of the divisions they would create.
What is worldliness?
Some versions translate ψυχικός [psychikos] (a root you will recognize in the common thinking of the church today) as worldly-minded (a caution rarely heard from a contemporary pulpit). Other versions translate it as: ‘sensual,’ ‘natural instincts,’ ‘worldly.’
- the principal of animal life, which men have in common with the brutes
- the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion
James cautions the church to beware of the worldly among the sheep, men and women without the Spirit who would devour us. (And what if they are most of the church or among our leaders?) He tells us how to recognize them.
Jude calls them ungodly. James calls them adulterous, comparing the worldly of the church to unbridled horses and rudderless ships. And why is that?
The ungodly (by definition) are destitute of reverential awe towards God, condemning God, and impious. But it goes deeper than that; for examination of the Greek root word for ungodliness, ἄλφα [Alpha] (as a negative particle) literally implies, anti-Christ.
Christ is the Alpha to indicate that he is the beginning and the end. The ungodly do not teach or recognize Jesus in this way and do not have the Holy Spirit.
‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
Matthew 15:9
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’”
Previously in the Letter of James
We introduced James in Witness of a Converted Brother, clarifying that this leader of the church in Jerusalem was likely none other than one of the unbelieving half-brothers of Jesus. A commentator suggests, ‘This book offers sound advice for practical Christian living.” So I have begun today by mentioning Jude.
In Count it All Joy we learned that James writes his letter to several churches, much as we read the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John addressing several churches by a letter sent by messenger.
Then in a Word on Works James encourages followers of Christ to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Now he has something to say about teachers and preaching; but first, more about the tongue.
Our Untamable Tongue
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.
We are sinners, every one of us. All stumble, but as James suggests earlier, watch your mouth. Hold your tongue, some would say.
IF anyone does not stumble — is he kidding? Who does not open their mouth and insert a foot, as the expression goes?
But James suggests that by the Spirit (and not our own natural worldliness) some may be mature enough in Christ to speak for the Lord. He suggests that what we say shows the fruit of justification, but our words could possibly yield fruit spoiled by our sins.
James 3:
3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies.
Those who live by the Law of Freedom may not run wildly. Christ does not give us license to do as we please, but He is our Master who reigns over us and reins us in.
4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.
5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things.
Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire.
The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Every animal can be tamed by mankind, James tells us. Neither your preacher nor I can illustrate this power and control of the tongue any better. In addition to other applications of reason for us to bridle our tongues prior to speaking James continues:
… but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:8 CSB
10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way.
Be SLOW to speak. Does blessing only pour from the spring of your mouth?
Therefore be QUICK to listen. Does your brother or sister in the Lord, even a leader of your church light a forest or produce the wrong fruit of the tongue?
James will address these when we continue, God willing.
To be continued... Preview below
Teachers and Preachers
Some time ago I embraced this verse from Job.
I will teach you concerning the hand of God;
Job 27:11 ASV
That which is with the Almighty will I not conceal.
To this, most everyone I know would say, “Amen.”
Although I include teaching as one of my gifts, speaking for the Lord is a high calling which James addresses.
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
James 3:1 NKJV
