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congregation, explaining that the tongue that blesses God and curses His children is
contrary to the new nature they have in Christ.

Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are
made after the similitude of God.

Therewith (with the same tongue) bless (eulogomen: extol) we God, even the Father; and
therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God.
The tongue is probably more closely linked to the two natures of the believer than any part
of the human anatomy. With one breath the tongue, under the control of the Holy Spirit
and human spirit, can bless God. With the next breath, under the influence of the flesh, it
can curse man. After praising God, it is hypocritical to curse our brothers and sisters who
are created in God’s image, both spiritually and physically. How can we praise God and then
curse what He has made? How can we curse the same creation He sent His Son to die for
and redeem?

Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these
things ought not so to be.

The tongue is an enigma; it is an indicator of what is in the heart. No man can truly bless
the Lord while feeling hatred toward his brother in the Lord (1 John 4:20). Yet James had
observed many in his congregation praise God and then turn around and carve others up
with their tongues. James has seen the Pharisees, under the control of religious zeal, doing
this very thing (John 7:47‐49). James does not want his congregation to be taken up with a
religious spirit that comes from the author of the curse itself, Satan. In one breath, James
both loves and chastises his congregation. He says, “My brethren, these things ought not
so to be.”

James is addressing a group of people who come to church, enjoy the praise and worship
service, and lift up their hands to bless the Lord. During this same service, they use the
same word to malign, ridicule, and judge their brothers and sisters in the Lord. They are not
long‐suffering and patience with the faults of others in the way the Lord is long‐suffering
toward them. They do not realize the Lord will deal more harshly with their sins of maligning
others than with the sins of those they are judging (Matthew 7:1‐5).

Jas 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

When a traveler comes across a fountain of water gushing from the rock, he would not
expect that at one moment the water would be sweet and suddenly find it replaced with
bitter, salty, and rusty water. If this repeatedly occurred, the traveler would be shocked.
This is how God feels when we first offer Him praise from our mouth and then immediately
backbite others in the church. Both statements are directed toward Him, whether we
realize it or not (Matthew 25: 34‐40). James is saying nature is more consistent than some
Christians.

Jas 3:12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no
fountain both yield salt water and fresh.