In The Word
Read: James 3
3 Do not become teachers in large numbers, my brothers, since you know that we who are teachers will incur a stricter judgment.2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to rein in the whole body as well. 3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their whole body as well. 4 Look at the ships too: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are nevertheless directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot determines. 5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things.
See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our body’s parts as that which defiles the whole body and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one among mankind can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, bear olives, or a vine bear figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.
Wisdom from Above
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, free of hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
There is an old saying, “Fire is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.” James used this example of fire to warn us of the power that the tongue has. “And the tongue is a fire” (James 3:6). God has given us a wonderful servant called the tongue, but if we do not maintain control of it, it can turn out to be a terrible master. Like a fire left unattended, our tongues can get out of control; when we allow that to happen, it can begin to control us.
When we have no control over our tongue, it becomes a fire that is dangerous. Uncontrolled fires burn and destroy. Uncontrolled words can do the same. They can destroy relationships. They can even destroy our witness of Christ. A fiery tongue is so powerful it can determine our future. James says that an uncontrolled tongue sets the course of life on fire, and it is set on fire by hell.
We are called, as Christians, to be the masters over our tongue. This requires us to be on constant alert. You can call it “fire watch.” Of all the things that man has conquered, the tongue will never be tamed except through the power of God. It is our responsibility to use our tongue for the glory of God. In doing so, it will become a wonderful servant. Resist the temptation to let down your guard. Do not let the fire get away from you.