James 4:1 (LSB)

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?

James Outline (thus far):

* Audience (1:1)

* Teaching on Trials (1:2-4)

* Words to the Wise (1:5-11)

* Trial/Temptation Explained (1:12-18)

* Living the Word (1:19-27)

* Avoid Favoritism (2:1-13)

* Right Relation of Faith and Works (2:14-26)

* Watch the Tongue (3:1-12)

* Wisdom’s Source (3:13-18)

* Closeness to God (4:1-12)

James 3:17-18 (LSB)

But the wisdom from above is first purse, then peaceable, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruits, without doubting, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James 3:15-16 (LSB)

This wisdom is not coming down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil practice.

James 3:14 (LSB)

But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth

James 3:13 (LSB)

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good conduct his works in the gentleness of wisdom.

James Outline (thus far):

* Audience (1:1)

* Teaching on Trials (1:2-4)

* Words to the Wise (1:5-11)

* Trial/Temptation Explained (1:12-18)

* Living the Word (1:19-27)

* Avoid Favoritism (2:1-13)

* Right Relation of Faith and Works (2:14-26)

* Watch the Tongue (3:1-12)

* Wisdom’s Source (3:13-18)

James 3:9-12 (LSB)

With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a fountain pour forth from the same opening fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can saltwater produce fresh.

James 3:7-8 (LSB)

For every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.

But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

James 3:6 (LSB)

And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our existence, and is set on fire by hell.

James 3:5 (LSB)

So also the tongue is a small part of the body and yet it boasts of great things. Behold how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!

James 3:3-4 (LSB)

Now, if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot wills.