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! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. 

        James 3:5-6

“Observable Truth” is a study on biblical passages that we can see being played out in our world everyday. Hopefully, when it comes to our lives, we see the godly side of these passages and not the depravity and perversion forecasted in scripture and so widely displayed in our modern culture.

Today, we will make a slight shift and look at something that affects all of us as Christians. Words…they can elevate or tear down. They can build up or destroy. Words are important because once spoken, we cannot retrieve them. How many times have we said something out of frustration or anger, only to find ourselves having to go back and repair the damage caused by those “not so well thought out” words? It’s true of all of us, Christians and unbelievers alike. When emotions are elevated, two things tend to happen. First, when we are in a heightened emotional state, our brains stop processing. Second, our mouths begin to run wild. Once the emotions are brought back under control, then we are more likely to process the situation rationally. But the words unleashed during that episode are already out there. And in our newly restored emotional state, we begin to realize the damage that we have caused. Relationships…it’s all about communication and when that is functioning at a high level, the relationship has all the more probability of success. James gives us some valuable reminders as to just how powerful words can be and hopefully this passage will assist us in controlling what we say and how we say it. 

“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!” Like a single match can set an entire forest on fire, so the tongue can cause catastrophic damage when not brought under control. An interesting observation that we can make in today’s society is that with ungodly, depraved behavior generally comes a tongue that fails to be brought under control. The lifestyle of ungodly people demonstrates that they are operating under their own control which often is no control at all. Void of the Holy Spirit, (and even Christians with the Spirit can loose control of their tongues) these people are unable to control themselves or their tongues. I refer to these people as the loud, angry, and demanding. They want to see a world, a society, a culture not founded on the principles of God’s Word, Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit rather they push for secularism, agnosticism, and an embracing of everything ungodly. And if these attitudes, motives, and behaviors are not from God, well, then we all know from where these ideas originate. So James reminds us first and foremost to get out tongues under control. Then we can assist others in leading them to a superior life in Christ, a life in which confidence, strength, and power are enjoyed through the Spirit of God. 

But it the description of a tongue out of control that should cause us a moment of pause. “And the tongue is a fire…” The first description given to us about the tongue is “a fire.” It’s not difficult to see the analogy here. Fire, while very useful when contained properly can also quickly get out of control and do much damage. Do we ever reach an age when we completely learn to control our tongues? For the person who has matured in his/her faith in Christ, a more control tongue should be a byproduct, at least in most situations. Yet, most of us probably still find ourselves battling this ever present danger known as the fire of the tongue. 

“And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity.” A world of iniquity is in our tongue. As small as it is, it has the power to defile us as we unleash undisciplined rhetoric aimed at destruction, not grace and mercy. Discipline is an interesting concept in or modern culture. When it comes to training, especially in athletics, it would be difficult to find someone who would disagree that discipline is essential if the athlete wants to compete at a high level. What about academics, such as pursuing a college degree? Again, not many would disagree that discipline toward the student’s studies is vital if the grades are to be made, courses passed, and the degree acquired. But when it comes to our spiritual life, what about discipline then? There are days in which the athlete is not going to “feel” like going through the regiment. But the best of the best find their way into the weight room, on the track, or running through the drills anyway. Students don’t always want to stay in and study for the big exam but in order to see success, movies with friends may have to take a back seat to studying in that moment. Our spiritual lives demand no less. The Christian life is one of process, growth, and improvement, just like pursuits in this world. We don’t just give our lives to Jesus and then sit back and watch Him do everything. No. We are to be proactive, in conjunction with the power for the Spirit living within us, in growing in our knowledge of God, intellectually and experientially. So why all of this talk about discipline? A controlled tongue will burst forth in our lives just as athletic ability or straight A’s for the one who takes discipline seriously. 

 “The tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body.” Not only is the tongue a fire and a world of iniquity, as mentioned earlier, it has the power to defile our entire body. Stop and think about that for a minute. An unrestrained tongue is an indication that the rest of our lifestyle is also “out of whack” and not in line with the very instructions found in the Word of God. In other words, what comes forth from our mouths, consistently, is usually an indication of what is going on in our hearts. Defilement is a spoiling, polluting, and impairing of a life. When we live outside of Christ, void of the power of the Spirit of God, and apart from the life-giving instructions of the Bible, we can expect this kind of life. And our tongues will follow suit. Consider  the words of Jesus: 

It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.

  Matthew 15:11

It’s not what we eat rather what we say and how we behave that determines the course of our life (Proverbs 4:23). The tongue, “sets on fire the course of our life…” There it is! A reminder that our speech matters and it matters more than much of what we might fixate on in our lives. 

Finally, the tongue, “is set on fire by hell.” Unrestrained speak and fits of anger are not of God but of the enemy. We would do well to remember that the enemy desires to kill, steal, and destroy what Christ has begun in us. But the power of the Spirit of God, within us, is mightier and altogether powerful to keep us from defilement and ruin. 

So let’s review. When describing the tongue, James mentions “fire” four (4) times. He refers to it as “a world of iniquity.” It has the power to defile our entire body, affect the course of our lives, and is, itself, set on fire by hell because of our fallen nature. So we can use our tongues to preach and teach the gospel so that others can be saved. We can use it to speak the truth and therefore honor God with our integrity of speech. And we can use our tongues to build others up in the Lord and to lead them to the paths of life! The power of words! How will you use them in your life?

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

        Ephesians 4:29-32