James 3:7-8 - Taming the Tongue

 7 We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish.. 
8 But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison.

Like Taming an Animal - Time and Persistence

V. 7-8 - “We humans are able to tame and have tamed all other creatures—wild animals and birds, reptiles and fish. But no one has ever been able to tame the tongue. It is evil and uncontrollable, full of deadly poison. ” - 

Look at the inconsistencies in these verses - we can train animals, but fail to control ourselves. 

“tame the tongue” - Only God can. God used the tongue (speech, languages) to demonstrate His power (See: Acts 2:1-11). This is a miracle - it demonstrated that something completely unusual and probably impossible happened. Men were speaking; others heard and understood - especially since the spoken language was different and supposedly unintelligible to the hearers. They knew the men speaking were Jewish speaking in Hebrew, yet they heard and understood in their own native language. Note the spread of nationalities listening to the Jewish fishermen - none of them spoke the Hebrew language. 

God used speech to show a miracle, His Holy Spirit!

This is not the only place that God used speech to show a miracle. See Gen 1:1-31, the creation. God spoke to Abraham and Sarah, promising them a child. God spoke to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. The books Exodus through Deuteronomy is the history of God speaking to the Israelites. 

“It is evil and uncontrollable” - Some versions translate this as “restless evil” - It seems that evil never sleeps, never misses a chance to infect our lives. Not we ourselves, but those around us also. (See - “Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; Preserve me from violent men who devise evil things in their hearts; They continually stir up wars. They sharpen their tongues as a serpent; Poison of a viper is under their lips.” (Ps 140:1-3)

Don’t think that I am being negative about speaking and the tongue. There are many instances where ‘speaking’ is good, or very good. God used speech to bring the universe into existence. See Gen 1:1-31. God spoke to Abraham and Sarah, promising them a child. God spoke to Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. The books Exodus through Deuteronomy is the history of God speaking to the Israelites. God commanded Moses to speak to the Egyptians. Moses spoke to a rock to bring forth water. The prophets spoke warnings to the people of Israel so they might confess their sin, repent of their sin and be saved. John the Baptist testified to Jesus as the Messiah. Jesus spoke and several people were healed or raised to life. We are commanded to speak the words of life, that is: “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved “ (Acts 16:31). Paul tells us in Rom 10:9-10, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from death, you will be saved. For it is by our faith that we are put right with God; it is by our confession that we are saved.” Tell me that isn’t good - you can’t! We are told throughout the New Testament, where we are to speak the truth of the gospel so others might be saved. (Acts 4:31; Rom 15:18; 1 Cor 2:6, 7, 13, 13:1; 2 Cor 4:13; Eph 4:25; Phi 1:14; Col 4:3; Titus 2:1, 15, 3:8)

James 3:1-6 – Self-Control - Danger of the tongue

OUTLINE - James Ch. 3 3:1-6   – Self-Control - Danger of the tongue 3:7-8 - Taming the tongue 3:9-12 - Consistency is Required 3:13-18 – Wisdom (Jealousy destroys peace)

Introduction: Applying the Truth from verse 2:26: Faith without works is dead (or, “if it can't be seen, it probably doesn't exist”). James provides another example of living your faith - the tongue. Why does James make such a big issue of this problem? Our conversations, more often than our actions, cause strife in the church.

He makes several main points: 

•  Be careful - v.1
•  The tongue is small, but control is huge - v.3
•  Control requires a 'pilot' - v.5b

James 3:1-6 – Self-Control - Danger of the tongue

1 My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.
2 All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being
3 We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want.
4 Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go.
5 So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame!
6 And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself. 

Applying the Truth

V. 1 - “My friends, not many of you should become teachers. As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.” -

If you are going to be a teacher of the Word, helping people grow in their faith in Christ, be aware that people will be watching to see if you live what you teach. You must be able to “live it” if you are teaching and training fellow Christians.

“As you know, we teachers will be judged with greater strictness than others.” - This is not a warning but a ‘caution’. This applies to more than teaching and preaching. If I tell my golfing buddies about my faith in Jesus Christ, you can bet they are watching to see if I am a hypocrite!

A teacher is someone who has a mastery of their ‘subject’ and a knack for conveying the truths to others. I don’t know who said, “It isn’t taught if it hasn’t been caught.” If the students can’t grasp and apply the concepts you are teaching to their lives, then you’ve been talking, talking, and talking - not teaching.

V. 2 - “All of us often make mistakes. But if a person never makes a mistake in what he says, he is perfect and is also able to control his whole being ” -

A key phrase in both sentences is ‘make a mistake’; translated in other versions as ‘slip’, or ‘stumble’ (e.g.: NASB). This is not about planning and then committing a ‘mistake’ (which is a definition of intentional sin). It is about slipping and losing control, or, unintentional sin. The concept of ‘slipping’ and committing an unintentional sin is not a New Testament phenomenon. Look in the Pentateuch where God gave the Israelites laws about intentional versus unintentional sin. (See: Num 15:22-31)

“he is perfect” - Who is the perfect man? The mature, the one who can control. We sometimes tend to think of ‘perfect’ as without blemish, untainted, spiritually holy. The word used here is more like ‘complete’ or ‘mature’. This thought is fleshed out in the next phrase:

“also able to control his whole being” - James has narrowed the focus from just general living to a specific part of your life - your speech. How is the tongue related to the whole body? - the mouth (tongue) can only say what the mind is thinking. (Does this lead us to no such thing as "I didn't mean it"?) Matt. 12:34ff., Matt. 15:3-11. Controlling what you say is demonstrating obedience to the Lord. I read today in a daily devotional book the following: “If you get an emotional experience out of a worship service but aren’t willing to obey, you are using Him without giving yourself to Him. Christians are saved by faith, not by obeying the law, but the law shows us how to please, love, and resemble the one who saved us by grace.” (See Note 1, below)

Note: this concept ‘what you say can hurt others’ is overcooked in the “woke” movement. (See: Note 2)

One of the conclusions we can draw is: Everyone fails to do what is right.

V. 3-4 - “We put a bit into the mouth of a horse to make it obey us, and we are able to make it go where we want. Or think of a ship: big as it is and driven by such strong winds, it can be steered by a very small rudder, and it goes wherever the pilot wants it to go. ”

Control is ‘Doable’

What great illustration about control. Horses are much bigger than we humans, but we can train them to respond to our control. The bit fits in their mouths - just a small piece of metal - and the animal does what we want. Likewise, a ship can be steered with a rudder that is vastly smaller than the vessel. The horse must be trained to obey - the term is ‘broken’ - and will go where the rider desires. A wild horse will not respond in the same way, even a ‘tame’ horse must be taught how to respond to a bit in its mouth.

V. 5 - “So it is with the tongue: small as it is, it can boast about great things. Just think how large a forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame!” - 

Control Requires a Pilot

The bit is small and the big horse can be guided by it. The rudder is very small and can turn the ship. Note the key words repeated in verses 3-5: “BIG”, “LARGE”, “STRONG”, “GREAT”, versus “SMALL”, “VERY SMALL”, or “TINY”. A tiny rudder can steer a ship into a safe harbor, or onto the rocks and destroy the vessel. The influence of the bit or the rudder is much greater than the size would suggest.

“the tongue: small as it is” - Thinking of the relative size of the rudder to the ship, James is leading us to see that the tongue, your speech, can have the similar relative impact on those around you.

“It can boast about great things” - Just because the tongue is small does not mean it does not have a large impact. From where does boasting come? It starts in our minds and fueled by either evil conceit or pride and is put into words we speak. Both evil conceit and righteous pride can lead to trouble. If the thought behind the boasting is “How could they do this to me, don’t they respect me?”, then we have let evil have its way in our hearts and minds. Pride can come in a couple of forms: “Look what God has done for us!”, or “Look what I have done!” Giving praise to the Lord is not bad, unless we are ‘praising God’ to diminish others.

“A forest can be set on fire by a tiny flame!” - The picture is that of destruction spread rapidly from a seemingly tiny thing. Think of all the “Smokey Bear” advertisements you have seen on TV. “Only you can prevent a forest fire.” “This forest fire was started from a single match.” A big, physical man can hurt a lot of people with his brute force. A small comment from a tiny person can lead to emotional and spiritual damage that is as devastating as forest fire. The tongue itself is not the problem, the control is the problem!

V. 6 - “And the tongue is like a fire. It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies and spreading evil through our whole being. It sets on fire the entire course of our existence with the fire that comes to it from hell itself.” - The tongue itself is not the problem, it is the words spoken by your tongue. Words can build up another person. Words can destroy another person. Be careful what you say.

“It is a world of wrong, occupying its place in our bodies” - The tongue, the things we say, are a window into the world in our brain. Evil speech comes from our minds, our hearts (emotions), our self-control.

We can split families because of hurtful things said. (My Mom had a brother who refused to speak or spend time with the rest of the family. I don’t know the whole story, but there was some serious anger there!) We let anger overwhelm our control and spew hateful and invective. Politics is rife with speeches and advertisements that are not only wrong, but hurtful causing pain and anger in others. At times it seems that all politics is lies. Arguments between races can flare into violence because of what is said. An activity such as a football game can turn into a riot because of things said. Wars are started by what is said, threatened, or lies spread unjustly. Hurt feelings are nursed, people are whipped into a frenzy. Thousands upon thousands die over these arguments.

Our natural self must be controlled by letting the power of the Holy Spirit work in us completely.

“spreading evil through our whole being.” - There is an old proverb: “Don’t let your mouth get you into something your body can’t back up.” (That’s how I remember it; probably from a Flip Wilson routine, or maybe the movie ‘Top Gun’.) In other words don’t let the things you say to others get you into trouble, especially with someone bigger, stronger and more vicious. The tongue itself is not the problem, it is the vehicle that transports our thoughts into physical being - where others can hear and react. It reveals our ‘being’ - whether it is natural or controlled by the Lord. ‘Natural man’ does not have a positive image in the Bible. Natural man is opposed to the Lord. See Jam 1:3, and “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.” (1 Cor 2:14).

The tongue does not make us evil, nor does it cause us to be evil. It does reveal our present spiritual condition. Are you controlled and empowered by the Holy Spirit or not? What comes out of your mouth, your speech, is controlled by your brain and spirit.

“It sets on fire the entire course of our existence” - It is not just your speech that is revealed as problematic, but that your whole being is under the influence of evil. Jesus Christ died, and the Holy Spirit was given to all people who would confess Him as Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit is in us to help us grow into the person Jesus wants us to be.

The entire course of our life is the circle of people around you - family, friends, neighbors, your sphere of influence. How you live your life - either in the power of the Holy Spirit, or under your own power always with the possibility of being influenced by evil forces - will affect those around you. (remember sermon on Deut 6:4-6)

What is the corrective action? Repent and be healed! Confess your sin, and ask the Holy Spirit to fill and control you.

“The fire that comes to it from hell itself.” - This is a reference to ‘Gehenna’, which was the valley of Hinnom. This place was where evil religious practices of pagan nations were performed. Human sacrifices, often children, were done here, and their bodies were burned. In some cases it seems that children were sacrificed on fiery altars. Their bodies were thrown into the valley where fires consumed them. Some of those pagan practices had ceased, and now the valley was a garbage dump - no one wanted to live in the valley where children were sacrificed. It was a defiled place, polluted and contaminated - the endless fires there became a picture of Hell.

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Note 1: T. Keller; “The Songs of Jesus”; Viking; 2015.
Note 2: “Wokeism” tends to say that certain words can harm people, and in some cases they are correct. But it seems so arbitrary. Some curse words appear to never be avoided. Other words are ‘evil’ only if certain people say them. Perhaps even the word ‘evil’ is bad only if certain people say it. Some words make no sense: “American”, “immigrant”, “man”, “woman”. This is too deep a subject to go further here.

***

James 2:20-26 - Examples of Faith

20 You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless?
21 How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.
22 Can't you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions.;
23 And the scripture came true that said, “Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.” And so Abraham was called God's friend.
24 You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by our faith alone.
25 It was the same with the prostitute Rahab. She was put right with God through her actions, by welcoming the Israelite spies and helping them to escape by a different road?
26 So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead. (GNB)

James returns to the premise stated in verse 17, above.

Works are Faith's Partner

V. 20 - “You fool! Do you want to be shown that faith without actions is useless?” -

His response to those who say good works will get them to heaven is blunt, even harsh! It is not that you have a slight misunderstanding of how salvation comes about. He is accusing this 'believer' of being deliberately uninformed. Bear in mind James is writing to a church. They should know better. It might be understandable for someone who has not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ to think that if they are 'good' God will allow them into heaven. For James, good works are a product of God working within you through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. James gives a couple of real life examples to contrast living and dead faith. 

Example No. 1 - Abraham

V. 21 - “How was our ancestor Abraham put right with God? It was through his actions, when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.” -

Abraham is used by both Paul (See: Rom. 4:16-23) and James as a good example of faith. James and Paul approach faith and works differently. James’ approach is mainly pastoral, Paul’s is mainly missionary. James is discussing what God requires of people who already are Christians. Paul is referencing what God requires for a person to become a Christian. - What is the basis for Abraham to be 'declared' righteous? Paul indicates that it is Abraham’s faith (or, belief) that God will do what He said He will do. James uses a different event for his emphasis of Abraham's righteousness. He use the example of Abraham showing his faith by offering Isaac as a sacrifice as commanded by God. (See Gen. 22:1-18).  Many years earlier,  Abraham had been 'declared' righteous; his obedience was the proof of the declaration. (See: Gen. 15:6).

For our discussion, Rom 3:21-29 looks at the 'root' of righteousness, and James 2:14-26 looks at the fruit.  

V. 22-23 - “Can't you see? His faith and his actions worked together; his faith was made perfect through his actions. And the scripture came true that said, ‘Abraham believed God, and because of his faith God accepted him as righteous.’ And so Abraham was called God's friend.”

Premise: Saving faith is not mere intellectual assent.

“His faith and his actions worked together;”- (a quote from Gen 15:6). Why does James stress 'actions', or 'works'? His actions demonstrated the genuineness of his faith. 'Actions' - not an isolated incident, but an accumulation. Paul and James use Gen 15:6 differently. Paul declares Abraham faithful before the circumcision; James says offering Isaac demonstrates his faith. That is why James says, “Scripture was fulfilled…” (cf.: Gen. 15:6, and 22:1-18). James quotes Gen 15:6, but  God's command to sacrifice Isaac is in Gen 22.

“his faith was made perfect through his actions.” - What is James focusing on? The implication of 'perfected' is that faith is not a change from ‘imperfect’ to 'perfect' - but grows into maturity. The Greek word for 'perfected' has a meaning of "to bring to completion, maturity, to perfect, consummate", e.g., a tree is ‘perfected’ by its fruits; works do not animate faith; faith produces works, and works completes faith.

V. 24 - “You see, then, that it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by our faith alone. “ -

The teachings of James and Paul do not disagree. It is a matter of 'focus'. Abraham was called a “friend of God” because he believed and obeyed. As we read through Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy we find a repeated command - Listen and Obey.

How are we called "a friend of God"? When we obey His commands.

Example No. 2 - Rahab

V. 25 - “It was the same with the prostitute Rahab. She was put right with God through her actions, by welcoming the Israelite spies and helping them to escape by a different road?” -

What a contrast - righteous Abraham and Rahab the harlot (who obviously was not ‘righteous’)! It seems a stretch to place Abraham and Rahab on the same pedestal. But she is remembered - she is in the ‘hall of heroes of the faith’ - see Heb. 11:31. Prostitutes were considered the lowest class of the lower classes (along with tax collectors). Yet, she is used to underscore vital, useful faith. She saw God's work, and recognized the truth, and demonstrated her faith. That is what led her to hid the Israelite spies. By-the-way: Rahab's last name seems to be "the harlot". Whenever she is mentioned in Scripture, or our conversation, it is as “Rahab the harlot”.

We now see how Abraham (Gen 22), and Rahab (Josh 2) proves James 2:24. Both demonstrated their belief in God by their obedience.

V. 26 - “So then, as the body without the spirit is dead, also faith without actions is dead.” (GNB) - James repeats verse 17. A living faith cannot be separated from the deeds which are the evidence of  that faith. Put your faith to work. Faith and works are two sides of the same grace provided by God.

For some perspective: Paul is discussing the beginning of the Christian life; James is discussing its continuance and consummation. Look at this table to see how Paul and James handle the same concepts. This is not saying either is wrong, but their emphasis is different. 

*** .

Usage of Terms by James and Paul, Compared.
Term	James	Paul
Faith	Intellectual assent to the facts, and barren of good works is therefore useless.	Saving faith in Jesus, which naturally leads to works of righteousness.
Works	Acts of ministry, mercy love done in obedience	Acts performed legalistically in obedience in order to earn salvation.
Justification	Final acceptance by God at the last judgment.	Immediate acceptance of any sinner who repents and believes.

For Paul, works that precede faith are renounced and are dead. 

For James, faith apart from works is dead.
***

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end of chapter.

James 2:14-19 - Dealing With Works

14 My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?
15 Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat.
16 What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life?
17 So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.
18 But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.”
19 Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear.

No Salvation in 'Works'

V. 14 - “My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you?“ -

The relationship of faith and works has been the source of debate and division since the first century. Are you a 'doer' or a 'thinker'? (i.e., “Actions speak louder than words”; or “My belief is personal and my business, I don’t need approval from anyone else”.)

What is the underlying problem James is addressing?  Not needing to work their way to approval from God was a new experience for these new Christians. It was a new religion for those who converted from non-believers. By ‘non-believers’ I mean that those who did not convert from Judaism, and had little experience with the Lord our God. Plus, salvation without working for it would be new for the Jewish converts also. Consider the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy - these are major lists of what the Jews were to do.

Perhaps James is addressing the mistaken notion that works were not necessary at all, since righteous works does not save you. Salvation by faith, not by works was Paul's primary message. Almost every religion of that time had things you had to do if you were to be a proper acolyte. I can almost hear a person saying, “I don’t need to DO anything but believe to be saved?”

Is James saying that a person is saved by works? No, I believe this is a continuation of arguments about how we show our faith.

V. 15-16 - “Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, “God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!”—if you don't give them the necessities of life?” -

This is a continuation of the discussion started in 2:7 and continued in 2:14. Can you seriously claim to be a follower of Christ if your life does not show it?

James gives three examples showing the futility of faith without works (vss 15-16, and 19), and two positive examples (vss 21-26).

Is James talking to us? 

If "No", why not? Are you saying, "But I go to church. I sing in the praise and worship services. I take notes of the pastor's sermons. I pray, that should be enough!"?

If "Yes", how so? Perhaps the Holy Spirit is speaking to your spirit, calling you to examine your life with respect to being a follower of the Lord. This is for you to decide, and not me. Talk with the Lord, and make your decision known.

What is the main point? Premise: What we do reveals what or who we are.

"suppose" - James' presents a test case. (Example no. 1) The ‘suppose’ is an ‘If statement’ that ties into to the previous discussion in 2:1-7 and 2:14-15. Here the believer is uncaring, offering platitudes and well-wishes rather than help. James is asking how can the love of God be in this believer? John also wrote to this same issue - see: 1 John 3:17-18  But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

V. 17 - “So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.” -

This is the underlying problem: anybody can claim to be a Christian, but how is it demonstrated? James describes a man; the question: is he saved? It is not for us to say. James is emphasizing mind-oriented (mental acceptance) ‘faith’ vs. a whole-life commitment showing evidence of faith. James is actually asking, "Can that kind of faith (mind-oriented only) save?"

V. 18 - “But someone will say, “One person has faith, another has actions.” My answer is, “Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.”

But someone will say, ‘One person has faith, another has actions.’ - Let’s look at the argument of this imaginary critic, and think of the problem with this claim. This is the same 'man' James describes in verse 14 (he says he has faith). The imaginary critic is saying, "You have works only. I have faith only". The critic is basically saying, "both are praiseworthy"

Let’s breakdown James’ example:

• "someone will say" - They claim to have faith, but does the person have it? 
• "faith" - Their claim is an intellectual affirmation; but not an acceptance of the truth, or gospel. 
• "without actions" - Which shows a continual lack of evidence, that is:
• "deeds" (or works, actions) - these show ethical behavior - acts of compassion, based on Christ’s teaching..

This claim means that you get to decide what will save you. You are taking the place of God. You are deciding what is acceptable to God. But there is a problem with this claim. For example: Can you believe that a professional athlete actually loves this country when he or she refuses to honor the flag during a national anthem, or doesn't honor the United States? You must suspect such a claim. Likewise, we can suspect a claim of belief in Jesus if the life does not show it.

Note: If not shown in the lifestyle, then it is non-existent. Your belief system provides the framework of your activities and lifestyle. If a person does not believe in God or Jesus, do you expect that person to be worshipping and praying in church or synagogue? You would not.

James continues his reply:

“My answer is, ‘Show me how anyone can have faith without actions. I will show you my faith by my actions.’” - What is the answer? Can you see another person's faith by observing his works? This is example no. 2. Yes, maybe. Can you see another person's faith without the presence of works? No. You may ask what is the difference. If the person believes that what he does will earn his way into God’s grace - you won’t know his relationship with Christ. But, if the behavior consistently violates Scripture…

James has the antidote to wrong thinking - "Love your neighbor as yourself."  (See 2:8) He is teaching what Jesus said, and  the apostles also preach this. See (2 Pet 1:5-9)

V. 19 - “Do you believe that there is only one God? Good! The demons also believe—and tremble with fear. ” -

This (example no.3) is a seemingly odd statement in a discussion of faith in action. What do demons have to do with this? James is emphasizing that mental assent is not sufficient. The demons - former angels - know God, but that did not stop them from rebelling! Did they think there would be no repercussions? Perhaps they thought it was likely they might be able to withstand the judgment. They are much like us - thinking they might be able to skate by on this one.

Note: demons BELIEVE THAT God is.  But demons do not BELIEVE IN God.

Thought question: "If you were tried in a court of law for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?"

James 2:9-13 - The Law is a Whole

9 But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.
11 For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
***

Judgment is Merciless

V. 9 - “But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. ” -

“But if you treat people“ - The word “if” could be translated "since" in this verse. James is stating they are doing this: treating people according to their appearance (whether it is clothes, or speech patterns, or race and ethnicity). If you show “partiality”, that is: treating people differently… You are committing sin.
In this case, James is not referring to a single slip, but actions that happen continually.

Don’t think that I am saying one “oopsie” doesn’t count as a sin. Making value judgements of a person’s worth based on appearance is a sin. It means you are not seeing that person needs Jesus for salvation just as you need Jesus. Neither of you will spend time in eternity if you don’t believe and accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. It is too easy to value someone who arrives at church in a Mercedes SUV differently than others; or wears a nice dress and jacket rather than blue jeans and a sweat shirt.

We Americans pride ourselves as being one of the most egalitarian communities on earth. But we still are swayed by our perceptions when we see the house where someone lives, or their clothes, or their automobile. It is especially easy to look “down” on someone obviously less wealthy than we or our friends. This shows a lack of compassion for others and their circumstances, and a heightened estimation of our own personal self-worth.

Why is this not just a matter of credit/debt with respect to law? As a result of the rich people's actions the “royal law” is violated.  The attitude is a case of ‘money plus grace’ saves us. In this instance, James is addressing the actions of some of the rich people in the church.

This is a call for mercy. Mercy for the well-off who show disdain toward others, and mercy for the resentment and envy the poor may have toward others. Mercy saves us all - dollars and possessions get you nothing.

V. 10 - “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.”

This statement is significant! The Law of God is a whole, not detached (isolated) injunctions. In our legal system, there are gradations of offenses - e.g., First or Second degree murder, etc. The penalties if convicted vary with the seriousness of the crime. To be sure, there were gradations in the Law - different offenses required different sacrifices to ‘pay’ for those sins. Minor offenses required minor sacrifices, etc. There was even a sacrifice if you had committed a sin (offense) that you weren’t aware you had offended the Lord. (You broke a law you weren’t aware existed.) However, if you were told that the thing you were going to do was a sin, and you did it anyway - there was no recompense available.

V. 11 - “For He who said, “DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY,” also said, “DO NOT COMMIT MURDER.” Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.”

“Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. “ - All that is a ‘minor detail’. It does not matter if the sin was ‘little’ or ‘huge’; you broke the Law. You do not have the wherewithal to cover your sin. You come up short, period.

V. 12 - “So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.” -

What is the “law of liberty”? Look back to Jam 1:25, “But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.” (NASB95) The same law is called the law of liberty and perfect law. We have been set free to live and act because we want to do it, rather than being forced to obey.

The commentary by Jameson, Faucet and Brown said it this way, “that is, the Gospel law of love, which is not a law of external constraint, but of internal, free, instinctive inclination. The law of liberty, through God's mercy, frees us from the curse of the law, that henceforth we should be free to love and obey willingly. If we will not in turn practice the law of love to our neighbor, that law of grace condemns us still more heavily than the old law, which spake nothing but wrath to him who offended in the least particular.” (See note 1)

What is the goal? Pursue the physical health and spiritual well-being of neighbors with the same intensity as for yourself. The ‘old system’ required knowing the Law and obeying it. Well, actually that is only partially so. Yes, there were lots of rules beyond the 10 Commandments. But God also knew that it was going to be almost impossible to keep those myriad laws. God instituted a sacrifice for those who unknowingly broke a law. That is, if you broke a law and you didn’t know you sinned, there was a sacrifice to cover that sin. Almost every person who brought a sacrifice to the tabernacle or temple came with that baggage.

Jesus simplified it: Do this one thing - Love the Lord your God. See: “‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ And He said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.’ “ (Matt 22:36-40 )

That does not mean what Jesus has commanded us to do is easy. But it is not hard or impossible to do. God has given us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will lead and guide us in our daily Christian life.

We can’t say we didn’t know what we are to do. Our actions show what we believe. Jesus does not need to judge and convict us. Our disobedience demonstrates our unfaithfulness, that we have rejected Jesus and what He commanded. See: “He who rejects Me and does not receive My sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at the last day.” (Jhn 12:48) The Father compares our actions to Jesus’s commands - that is the judgement.

V. 13 - “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James has the antidote to playing favorites (which is sinning) - "Speak and Act..." Show mercy! No mercy shows that you have not responded to God's mercy. Paul said in the letter to Philippians: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Phil 2:3-4 )

Don’t be confused, showing mercy - in this instance, treating people the same way no matter how they are dressed, or how much money you may think they have - shows that you have accepted what the Lord Jesus requires of you. No matter how rich you may be, you are a pauper with respect to God Almighty. You are so poor you cannot buy your way into heaven. You may be the child of a king or a president. Too bad, that means nothing if you do not have Jesus as Lord and Savior. Being a child of God, a believer in Jesus as Savior is the only credential needed. But you did not earn that credential. It is a gift, unearned, in spite of your sin.

Do not make judgments. You are not able to determine what God thinks about another person, whether He has forgiven that person. Your lack of forgiveness - that is what James is talking about - shows that you don’t see your need for forgiveness from the only One who can actually forgive your sin. See: “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.” (Mat 6:14-15) And: “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.” (Matt 7:1-2)

God is compassionate and forgiving, and expects us to be forgiving also. See, for example: Mat 18:32-35 - “Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”

We live in the United States of America where life is mostly not harsh or cruel. We do not know true cruelty and oppression. And as we progress in our Christian faith, we can become self-satisfied in our spiritual condition. A slight by a non-Christian, such as a raised eyebrow, a grimace causes us to be offended and oppressed. We live in a country that recognizes Christianity as a valid religion or faith. We are unaccustomed to persecution or torture. When trouble does come we waver because we are weak. Our emotions and feelings take our focus off of the Lord and on our circumstance. Paul said this to Timothy: “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” (2 Tim 3:1-5)

What is the highest principle? Mercy triumphs over judgement.

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Note 1: Jameson, Faucet and Brown, “Bible Commentary”, pub, date ***