The big sins that manifest within us can be easy to recognize but it is the subtle sins that can cause significant damage in our lives. This is because they can be overlooked and even seen as acceptable behavior.
Darkness. It is all around us. We see it, we feel it, and we spend our lives bearing the weight of it. The world has been in darkness since the Garden but one night 2,000 years ago a great light entered this world changing everything.
Most people hate conflict, but it still happens. James takes the issue of conflict head-on by calling out the source. We can spend our whole lives engaged in the wrong conflicts and never get into the fight that matters most.
At the beginning of his letter James calls believers to ask for wisdom. Now he dives deeper into what wisdom from above looks like and accomplishes in our lives. When we look at our lives are we walking in the wisdom from God or the wisdom of man?
It is small but powerful. It can heal and destroy. It can build up and tear down. It can give love and hate. Unite people together and tear people apart. James keeps his attention on how living faith produces works in our lives by addressing the importance of taming the tongue.
There are many who proclaim belief in Jesus today but is that the same as having faith. Throughout his letter, James continues to address how we live our lives and at this moment it comes to the climax of his message. Faith is shown genuine by the actions that follow it.