James 3:2

"For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body" (James 3:2).

The third chapter of James begins with a 12-verse emphasis on taming the tongue. As we previously learned in verse 1, pastoral teachers (and we as well) are held to a higher standard of judgment because of the responsibility that comes with conveying (via our words) and representing (via our actions) the authority of God's Word.

Verse 2 shifts attention slightly though by focusing on our frailties, proving James' point that judgment awaits those who are irresponsible with Scripture.

I find James' phrasing amusing because he states, "We all stumble in many ways," but immediately provides an escape route by then saying, "And if anyone does not stumble" (thus appeasing the devil's advocate argument).

Of course, we all stumble in our words and actions though! Who dares to say they don't? The fact that James feels the need to address the issue in this fashion, however, points to the self-deception in our hearts that thinks more highly of ourselves than we ought.

We all stumble because our genealogy dates back to Adam. Therefore, we are born into sin from the beginning whether we like it or not. Fleshly desires are part of our DNA and thus we cater to them repeatedly.

There is no denying that fact, yet we seem to live our lives with a balance scale mentality weighing our bad choices with our good works in hope that our good outweighs the bad and we find favor in God's sight on judgment day. 

But as we studied previously, good works give evidence to our faith and count ZERO toward salvation. Consequently, it is futile to solve our constant addiction to "stumbling in many ways" with good works. Only Jesus remedies that cancer.

What we are responsible for (as we will learn over these 12 verses) is that exhibiting self-control is within our sphere of influence. We are enabled by the Holy Spirit to act in response to sinful tendencies with the perspective that our use of self-control is a work that testifies to our faith but does not take the place of it.

In the end, James' point is that we all make mistakes and sin, and we all need self-control to bridle our body and make it submit to the Spirit rather than the flesh. For our words and actions can get out of control very quickly like a forest fire, and we are wise to heed James' warning ahead of time versus after the fact when we are wallowing in our guilt, shame and regret.

Otherwise, we will remain deceived by our own doing and imprison our hearts from the true freedom found in relinquishing control to the Spirit who guides, convicts and aids in our sanctification.