The Tongue like a Raging Fire

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. James 3:6

We can all identify when someone has said something hurtful or that makes us embarrassed to say the least. But I want to consider the truths of what James is saying here, in particular the idea of the tongue like that of a fire. 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. James 3:5

Like a small spark that starts a forest fire, so too does boasting that starts a course for disaster. But what is the connection you might say? The connection is simply this; any boasting is an elevation above another person. And the initial boasting sets a course for further boasting and self-pride. But I believe there are more truths involved in the likeness of a forest fire here. Imagine for a moment a forest fire; live in Australia for long enough and you’ll know all about forest fires. A forest fire is dangerous in it of itself and it takes not only time to extinguish but also time for the forest to produce regrowth.

So what is James also saying here? In boasting, in elevating yourself above anyone else and in doing so with insult or foolish talk, can take time until trust is repaired. I don’t believe the focus is purely on the fire but also on the forest, for the forest in itself is the victim of the fire. And thus James gives us an insight into the effects of boasting with this one simple example of a forest fire through cause and effect.

What else does James teach us about the tongue? But no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ We praise our^[d] Lord and Father with it, and we curse men who are made in God’s likeness with it. ¹⁰ Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way. James 3:8-10

In the above passage James teaches us a simple truth, that the tongue cannot be tamed. How true it is for James to say that we praise God and yet curse men with it. But James emphasises a great truth here “who are made in God’s likeness.” Despite our anger toward anyone we forget these simple yet great truths, but I believe James tells us this plainly as a harsh rebuke for us to be reminded that before we speak evil of anyone, we are speaking to someone who is made in the likeness of God Himself!

These things should not be says James, we all agree and yet we all know that the tongue cannot be tamed. We will say things that hurt others, we will express our heart with our tongue (Matthew 15:18) and we will continue to praise God and curse men. We would do well therefore to consider very carefully the words we speak to others prior to saying them. We would do well to examine our hearts, our motives for saying such things. Is there boasting in you? Get rid of it! It is a fire of great destruction. Is there cursing in you? Get rid of it! For the person you curse is made in the likeness of God! Let us be humbled by these simple and great truths and examine closely the way in which we use our tongues for the glory of the Lord.