James 3-4 continues the overall theme of practical advice for living a faithful life, and especially how we interact with each other. He lists the dangers of the tongue, boasting of great things, “setting on fire the entire course of life … no human being can tame the tongue”.
We also find the wisdom from above contrasted with earthly wisdom. “Jealousy and selfish ambition” is the outcome of natural wisdom, “but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere”.
The focus on earthly wisdom had caused “quarrels and … fights among” the ecclesia, so James offers advice on this issue too. “Submit yourselves therefore to God… Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you”.
In all of these ideas, James is setting our focus on God rather than ourselves. This is a challenge for all of us, but let’s follow James’ advice to “humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you”.