Fire has been man’s friend for many years, it has kept him warm in the cold of night. It has cooked his meals and given him light, it’s given some comfort in its flickering flame and kept dangerous animals at bay. It has also burned down his house and the crop in the field, it has burned many fingers and singed many eyebrows. It’s a helpful tool but MUST be controlled. Fire may be a small as a candle flame or a large as a forest fire! ALL flames have to be watched and controlled because the smallest flame can start the largest fire, they cannot be left unattended or
unsupervised.
The Scripture likens the tongue to a flame. It can be used to do tremendous good and also, if uncontrolled, it can cause irreparable damage. Our words can encourage, educate, correct, communicate, discuss and express our most innermost thoughts. Good things.
But the other side of the coin is;
James 3:6
The tongue also is a fire, ......, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
NIV
The wickedness which flows off of our tongues comes from the Devil himself. These flames come in different forms, they may be in the form of gossip, or lies, or slander, or malicious talk, or flattery, criticism, negativity and host of other forms.
But what is it that causes us to lose control of our tongues? Is it not either our inattention, or maybe anger, or jealousy, malice, envy or maybe even just ignorance. Whatever the cause we MUST be aware and on the lookout for the small spark, which if left, could grow until it is almost impossible to subdue.
Once again, we do not intend to ‘run’ your life for you. The choices are yours to make, but you need to know all of the facts to make a good decision. Do not just accept what has been written, read the scriptures for yourselves and see what God has said.