Some things ought not to be.......here's one of them.

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

James 3:11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

James 3:12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

James has been talking to those who would be teachers, and was not only warning them of the stricter judgement that they would face, but, then launches into a very, very detailed explanation about the smallest member of our body, and yet it's so powerful for good or evil.

And here in these 3 verses, he tells us what "ought not to be" Specifically, it is that it ought not to be where out of the same mouth proceeds cursing and blessing. So, this was no doubt going on, but again, James says, "these things ought not to be"

James, then gives some illustrations from nature. First of all, springs of water. He asks if a springs sends forth both fresh water and bitter? Of course they don't, and would not, and could not.

Secondly, he asks if a fig tree can bear olives, ( instead of figs ) or if a grapevine can bear figs ( instead of grapes ) No, they cannot.

Then returning to the spring illustration, he says " Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh"

And the point he is making is that we ought not to be having curses and blessings coming out of our mouths.

He will in the remaining part of the chapter teach about the wonderful wisdom of God that can be ours to have, and to give away to others. He will also give us a clear contrast of the wisdom that is from below, and the wisdom that is from above.

Father.......Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. And, give us wisdom Lord. May we shine for You, and bring glory and honor to You, in Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. We can be that one spring, yielding blessing.

2. Our tongues can be used for good or evil.

3. Let our tongues be used for Good Lord.

4. Our words can minister grace to those who hear us.

5. Help us Lord to take this chapter to heart.

6. God forgives our past sins.

7. He does not hold them against us.

8. He also forgets our sins.