In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna). (James 3:5-6)

What do a bit, rudder, spark, and tongue have in common?  Well, James 3 shows us that each is small but powerful and effective as a controller.  The bit in a horse’s mouth helps him obey his master.  The rudder on a ship is small but steers the boat wherever the captain wants it to go.  A small spark can start a forest fire.  And our tongue can set the whole course of our lives on fire, if we do not learn how to control it.

My tongue is definitely full of poison and has the power to start many forest fires in a day.  I tend to see that I have the power to stop a small forest fire or ignite it.  Every conversation is a new opportunity to breathe life or destroy life.  I want so badly to breathe life into others through my words.  I pray that every word I speak will come under the full authority of my Lord and Savior.

“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Proverbs 25:11)

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