Thomas Riccardi Supporter Warrior Spirit

We are born into sin, imperfect. But through Jesus Christ we are made perfect and seen as perfect in the eyes of the Father! As it states in Hebrews 10:14 

Your sins are not just hidden, buried, beneath a white garment. No! In Christ, you are truly made perfect. The Bible says that by “one offering He has perfected forever and completely cleansed those who are being sanctified [bringing each believer to spiritual completion and maturity].” Praise the Living Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

March 06 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

I would say that James was not using the word "perfect" in the sense of "sinless". (As James himself said in the verse cited in the question, we all stumble.) Instead, he was using the word in the sense of "complete".

One of the main points that James was emphasizing in his epistle was the importance (as well as the difficulty) of controlling the words one speaks (as symbolized by the tongue). In my opinion, James was saying that the tongue is so difficult to control that, if people (particularly Christians, such as those to whom James was writing) can achieve control of their speech, they are also capable of practicing similar control in every other area of life, making them complete with respect to their relationship with both God and other people.

March 02 2020 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

James 3:2: For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one, for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Rom 3:10,23) For in many things, we offend “ALL” Jesus sends His Holy Spirit upon us to guide us and lead us in our ways (John 16:7); then why do we have to boast with our tongues that we have achieved the goal through our might and power where the scriptures say the inner nature of mankind has no self-control over the tongue that leads them to stumble and fall?

The wisdom which is given by the Holy Spirit of God should not be led astray by the slip of the tongue, for no one is perfect but should be led to pray for them who condemn and offend you (Mat 5:44). For all are as an unclean thing and all our righteousness are as filthy rags. (Isa 64:6) If any man among you seems to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, he deceiveth his own heart and this man’s religion is in vain. (Jam 1:26) 

The Lord looks into the inward part of a man and that is his heart (1 Sam 16:7). Heavenly Father chose David because he saw that his heart was good (1 Sam 16:13). God gives more grace to the humble but resists anyone that is proud, for the scriptures command us that we should humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand so that He can lift us up in due time. (1 Pet 5:6) David humbled himself under the hand of God, and the Lord lifted him up when the time was right to be the King. 

Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

April 15 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

NO! No one can attain perfection. Yes, James 3:2 states that 'If anyone doesn't stumble in word, he is a perfect man.' That's a big IF. But it doesn't take too much more reading of James' letter to get to verse 8. In verse eight James states that 'No man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.' 

There's the answer right there. The tongue can't be tamed, and since James makes having control of your mouth the standard for perfection, perfection is therefore unattainable. What's strange, is that the tongue is so small but can control the whole body. James says it "defiles the whole body." (vs 6)

What body is he referring to? I think he's saying something really significant to the body of Christ. 

Let's consider the first two verses of chapter 3: "My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body." 

Could he be warning them (us) about teaching error, and by so doing, defiling a "whole body" of believers? The last verse of James 2, the verse that leads to the first verse of chapter three, talks about "the body." It says, 'the body without the spirit is dead...' 

A body of believers without the Spirit is as good as dead! And a body that is made impure by false teaching "is set on fire by hell." (vs 6) 

I think more is being said here than something about the common everyday person watching what we say. He's talking about how a church can be infected by persons who shouldn't be teaching. 

Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. (vss 11&12) Who is wise among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. (vs 13)

This chapter is definitely about being careful of who we allow to teach. The reason is because the tongue can burn a church down to nothing but ashes!

12 days ago • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report