Figs, Olives, Vines and Fountains James 3:12

James spent a large section of his letter describing the destructive nature of the “tongue”. Though it is a small member of our bodies, it has great impact upon our surroundings. Not only are others affected by our words, but we are stricken as well. In chapter three and verse twelve of his letter, James used “figs, olives, vines and fountains” to demonstrate how our speech should be. We read:

Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?

so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

The verse begins, “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs?” James began with the word, “Can” or “is it able and does it have power whether by virtue of it's own ability and resources or state of mind or favorable circumstances or permission of law or custom and is it capable” “the fig tree” which means “the tree bearing the fig fruit”, “my brethren” which refers to “James' fellow believers who are united to another by the bond of affection in Christ”, “bear” or “make, produce, construct, form or fashion” “olive berries” which means “the fruit of an olive tree”? “Either” or “else, nor or than” “a vine” which refers to “a vine which coils around a support” “figs” or “the ripe fruit of a fig tree”. James asked his readers to consider whether “fig trees” bring forth “olives”.

The verse goes on to say, “so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” James continued, “so can no” or “in this manner no one or not any” “fountain” which means “a spring or well fed by a spring” “both yield” or “make, cause, make ready, prepare, produce, shoot forth, acquire and provide a thing” “salt water” which refers to “briny rivers, pools, deluges or water in any of the earth's repositories” “and fresh” or “sweet and not bitter” water. James concluded that “fountains” do not bring forth “sweet and bitter” water from the same source.

When we consider these words of James, we are reminded that our mouths are to be like “sweet flowing fountains” and bitterness should never be within them. This charge is difficult. We are prone to complain, argue, speak wickedly and spitefully with others, and thus must our “mouths” come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Only with His help are we able to overcome “bitter” words which divide, separate and alienate us from others. May we fully understand James' exhortation and submit ourselves to the work of the Holy Spirit of God who is able to do what we shall never carry out.

Next time James refers to “a wise man and endued with knowledge”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.