Clean that fountain at it's source

     This week we studied James 3. James once again gives us very clear illustrations that communicate exactly what he means. He is talking about our tongues and says we both bless God and curse people with our words. "This should not be." He isn't saying, don't do this, he's saying, this should be an impossibility.
    The illustration? A fountain can't shoot out both clean and foul water. A grapevine can't produce olives. An olive tree can't produce figs. All of these things can only produce what they are.
    Which makes the real question about the source of the things that come out of us. Are we followers of Christ? Are we redeemed? Are we new creatures? Then the things that come out of us should be Christ.
     We find ourselves drawn into James' never ending discussion about single mindedness. He nails that down in verses 13-18. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life." How logical is that? A good person should live a good life. A good life should flow out of a person redeemed by God and indwelt by the spirit. Once again James moves from an illustration of the truth to the opposite of the truth he wants us to see.  [And we're nearly to the crux of the argument here... chapter 4 will take us to its conclusion.]
    The opposite of Heavenly wisdom is earthly wisdom. Bitterness and selfish-ambition in our hearts. Earthly. Unspiritual. Demonic! Where you find envy and (again) selfish ambition, you find disorder and every evil practice. [vs. 16] How much of the trouble we find ourselves in is the result of  a) wanting what someone else has, or b) just plain wanting our own way.
    I've been so convicted of this during my study of James that I've looked back and wondered whether I've ever followed God at all! Have I just had my own ideas of what God wanted and pursued those... my own ideas... believing myself to be following God? Self is a persistent master. James has clearly brought home that truth.
    Opposites. Earthly wisdom. Heavenly wisdom. First of all, as Betty pointed out, heavenly wisdom is pure. Nothing double-minded here. Pure devotion to God is where godliness starts. It is as impossible to be devoted to both God and Self as it is for a fountain to produce both clear and polluted water. As impossible as a plant producing a different fruit than what it is. Impossible.
    So why do I find it so very possible? The sneaky self, posing as godliness, is always there. What did Sue say about the lie... oh, verse14. "If you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth." Don't say you're devoted to God! Don't boast about what great things you've accomplished for him! Not when you've only been trying to get what other people have and what you want most. Devotion to God can only be single minded. He does not share.
    Double-mindedness tries to have it both ways. It tries to follow God without giving up following self. One foot in both camps. As impossible as a fig tree growing olives.
   Well, as I said, this discussion continues in Chapter 4. So we will continue it next week. "What is the source......" [4:1] and finally, what is the solution.