The Tongue is a Fire
... See how great a forest a little fire kindles! (Jas. 3:5)
A forest is a place of beauty and peace. If we had never seen the devastating affects of fire, it would be hard to believe that in just a few moments it could all be changed to dust, ash, and desolation. Before fire all is green, fragrant, shady and peaceful. It is a safe haven for animals, birds, insects, and man. Fire will destroy and kill everything in its path. A forest reveals the potential of fire when the natural beauty of God’s creation comes under the assault of its destructive force.
What is fire? It is an energy created when the molecular structure of wood, coal, oil, etc. breaks down. Some elements were created by God to be unstable and can be ignited by a “little fire.” Once ignited these elements release energy. For the most part, fire is our friend. We use it to heat our homes, power our cars, cook our food, and light our homes. The world would be a dismal place without fire. The problem with fire is: “fire never says, Enough!” (Pr. 30:16). In a home or a forest so much material is offered to fire that it becomes uncontrolled and turns into a raging inferno.
The more we understand about the fire in a forest the better we will see the terrible power of our tongue. As the Holy Spirit revealed, “the tongue is a fire” (Jas. 3:6). The tongue has the same nature and ability as fire.
Think about the similarities. First, the tongue does the same things to emotions and attitudes as fire does to wood. Words formed by the tongue exert a powerful force on the mind, both for good or for destruction. Our tongue can warm the hearts of our friends and family. We can enlighten minds, comfort souls, inspire with enthusiasm, train in wisdom, and “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2Tim. 4:2). Words are a powerful source for good and the tongue makes these words possible. Even our “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17).
Second, like a forest, a pure heart made in the image and likeness of God is a place of peace and serenity. Words spoken wisely work as a controlled fire bringing warmth and pleasure. But words of folly can create an uncontrolled fire. The tongue can apply energy to the heart and soul as a “little fire” does to a forest. Through an angry outburst or bitter words, the love and trust of another can be turned to hatred, jealousy, or strife with explosive power! “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Pr. 26:20-21).
All the woe in our world came through the tongue. Satan used it to create the fire of lust and deception that led to the murder (Jn. 8:44) of Adam and Eve and the destruction of our home in Eden. With the tongue people deceive, tempt, seduce, and provoke. Through the tongue people sow discord with slander, gossip, and lies. Often these fires smolder in the emotions, slowly eating away the good and leaving behind the ashes of vengeance or the emptiness of bitter despair. Sometimes they explode in blind rage that sweeps away all in its path.
Just as we have been told from our youth not to play with matches, God warns us not to be careless with our tongue. “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, I was only joking!” (Pr. 26:18-19). “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (Jas. 1:26).
Our words possess a wonderful and terrible power over those who love and trust us. If we are careless, we can create a lifetime of grief and sorrow. Though Job had faced terrible blows as he lost his possessions, children and health, it was the words of his friends that crushed and led to his downfall. “How long will you torment me, and crush me with words” (Job 19:2)? In the end God condemned them for all their words.
Only after we witness the terrible consequences of a careless act on a beautiful forest can we really comprehend the terrible impact our words can have on others. Every forest fire started from a small spark or flame and led to devastation. In the same way careless and idle words can also do great damage. Again, God warns us to be careful. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:36-37). With the powerful force of even “idle” words, we have to be so very careful. Each word carefully weighed before it is spoken. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).
An angry word, a foolish retort, an exaggeration (lie), or just plain old gossip can start a fire. It may burst into flame immediate with a force that frightens us, or it may smolder for years slowly destroying pleasant emotions. We have to be careful.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pr. 18:21)
A forest is a place of beauty and peace. If we had never seen the devastating affects of fire, it would be hard to believe that in just a few moments it could all be changed to dust, ash, and desolation. Before fire all is green, fragrant, shady and peaceful. It is a safe haven for animals, birds, insects, and man. Fire will destroy and kill everything in its path. A forest reveals the potential of fire when the natural beauty of God’s creation comes under the assault of its destructive force.
What is fire? It is an energy created when the molecular structure of wood, coal, oil, etc. breaks down. Some elements were created by God to be unstable and can be ignited by a “little fire.” Once ignited these elements release energy. For the most part, fire is our friend. We use it to heat our homes, power our cars, cook our food, and light our homes. The world would be a dismal place without fire. The problem with fire is: “fire never says, Enough!” (Pr. 30:16). In a home or a forest so much material is offered to fire that it becomes uncontrolled and turns into a raging inferno.
The more we understand about the fire in a forest the better we will see the terrible power of our tongue. As the Holy Spirit revealed, “the tongue is a fire” (Jas. 3:6). The tongue has the same nature and ability as fire.
Think about the similarities. First, the tongue does the same things to emotions and attitudes as fire does to wood. Words formed by the tongue exert a powerful force on the mind, both for good or for destruction. Our tongue can warm the hearts of our friends and family. We can enlighten minds, comfort souls, inspire with enthusiasm, train in wisdom, and “reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2Tim. 4:2). Words are a powerful source for good and the tongue makes these words possible. Even our “faith comes by hearing” (Rom. 10:17).
Second, like a forest, a pure heart made in the image and likeness of God is a place of peace and serenity. Words spoken wisely work as a controlled fire bringing warmth and pleasure. But words of folly can create an uncontrolled fire. The tongue can apply energy to the heart and soul as a “little fire” does to a forest. Through an angry outburst or bitter words, the love and trust of another can be turned to hatred, jealousy, or strife with explosive power! “Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife” (Pr. 26:20-21).
All the woe in our world came through the tongue. Satan used it to create the fire of lust and deception that led to the murder (Jn. 8:44) of Adam and Eve and the destruction of our home in Eden. With the tongue people deceive, tempt, seduce, and provoke. Through the tongue people sow discord with slander, gossip, and lies. Often these fires smolder in the emotions, slowly eating away the good and leaving behind the ashes of vengeance or the emptiness of bitter despair. Sometimes they explode in blind rage that sweeps away all in its path.
Just as we have been told from our youth not to play with matches, God warns us not to be careless with our tongue. “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, I was only joking!” (Pr. 26:18-19). “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless” (Jas. 1:26).
Our words possess a wonderful and terrible power over those who love and trust us. If we are careless, we can create a lifetime of grief and sorrow. Though Job had faced terrible blows as he lost his possessions, children and health, it was the words of his friends that crushed and led to his downfall. “How long will you torment me, and crush me with words” (Job 19:2)? In the end God condemned them for all their words.
Only after we witness the terrible consequences of a careless act on a beautiful forest can we really comprehend the terrible impact our words can have on others. Every forest fire started from a small spark or flame and led to devastation. In the same way careless and idle words can also do great damage. Again, God warns us to be careful. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned” (Mt. 12:36-37). With the powerful force of even “idle” words, we have to be so very careful. Each word carefully weighed before it is spoken. “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers” (Eph. 4:29).
An angry word, a foolish retort, an exaggeration (lie), or just plain old gossip can start a fire. It may burst into flame immediate with a force that frightens us, or it may smolder for years slowly destroying pleasant emotions. We have to be careful.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pr. 18:21)