James 3:5-6, So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how large a forest a small fire ignites. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by hell.
When I was a teenager after my parents had divorced, my Dad’s house caught on fire, and all of the family pictures were destroyed. Just like that, in an instant, treasures were gone. We have very few pictures of our early years because of a fire. We have all seen the power of a small flame spreading throughout a forest and devastating everything in its wake, the plants, animals, homes, businesses, and even people have lost their lives.
A small spark can devastate a forest
Consider the small spark that can lead to such devastation as the wind flames it. What about our words? An insensitive statement can be the spark that starts the fire and is flamed to destroy the entire forest with just a few words.
James using fire to illustrate his point with the devastation the tongue can bring is a very powerful visual that we can all relate to. We have witnessed how destructive a fire can be when it is spreading. Fighting a fire is unpredictable and the wind can carry the flames in a totally different direction. Our words are the same, they can be picked up and carried a completely different direction that we didn’t intend or expect. Once the wind(public) gets ahold of it, it is out of our control.
Lord, let me be mindful that my words can spread like a fire, so let them be kind and not evil. Help me to control them. Amen.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Jas 3:5–6). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
