James 3:3-12

These past number of years have brought a stark reminder to us, living here in Alberta, of the power that a small spark can bring to a dry forest. We have fire bans, advertising campaigns, and consistent communication from the government to ensure we know how an inadvertent spark can cause immense and irreparable harm.

James knew this in his day as well. He uses this and other metaphors to demonstrate the power of our tongue and the words we speak.

³ We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. ⁴ And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. ⁵ In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.

But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. ⁶ And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

⁷ People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, ⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰ And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! ¹¹ Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? ¹² Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.

James 3:3-12 NLT

Though small, the tongue holds the potential for both great good and great harm.

At times we can catch ourselves using our words to praise God and then tearing down someone made in His image. This inconsistency reveals a deeper issue: our hearts. Just as a spring cannot produce both fresh and salty water, our words reveal the true condition of our soul. If we speak blessings and curses from the same mouth, something is wrong.

As believers, we are called to reflect Christ not only in our actions but in our speech. While we cannot fully tame the tongue on our own, the Holy Spirit can transform our hearts and guide our words. Imagine the impact you can bring to a life or a community through this one area alone! People are longing for encouragement. They are desperate for kindness and community. You have the power to meet that need.

May our tongues be used to bless, encourage, and build up, reflecting the love of Christ in all we say.

“Heavenly Father, fill our lives with your presence afresh today. May our hearts be filled with your compassion and let our words reflect your heart. Amen.”

7