James: A Handbook on Holiness

The Rejection of Compromise

James 3:10-13

General outline:

1. The Way to Holiness: The Divine Perspective 1:2-27

   1. The Trial-Temptation Complex 1:2-18

   2. The Word of God 1:19-27

2. The Principles of Holiness: The Biblical Framework 2:1-26

   1. The Law is the Structure of Holiness 2:1-13

   2. Faith is the Dynamics of Holiness 2:14-26

3. The Implementation of Holiness: The Christian Experience 3:1-4:10

   1. The Obstacle to Victory: Human Impotence 3:1-9

      1. The Fact of Human Impotence 3:1-5

      2. The Root of Human Impotence 3:6-9

   2. The Nature of Victory 3:10-18

James 3:10-13

The Impropriety of Compromise

10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

The Impossibility of Compromise

11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

The Challenge of Compromise

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

Discussion Questions:

1. V. 10 – Are we morally obligated to be consistently gracious in our speech? _______________

2. Vv. 11-12 – Springs and plants produce fruit “according to their kinds” (Gen. 1:11); according to their nature. From what kind of heart does blessing come? ___________ Cursing? ________ Which kind of heart does a Christian have? Consider Matt. 7:15-20.

3. Springs, figs, olives, and grapes provide us food & drink. How do words of blessing & cursing “feed” other people when they take them in? Consider Prov. 18:21. _____________________
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4. James says this inconsistency is impossible in nature. Is it impossible in the Christian? Consider John 15:1-17; 1 John 1:8-10; 3:6, 9; 5:18.

5. V. 13 – Notice the ministerial trajectory of a life-producing tongue: by the Spirit, a heart of wisdom speaks godly words humbly accompanied by works so others are blessed.