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"The tongue is a fire..."

Text: James 3:6

THE DEADLINESS OF AN UNTAMED TONGUE

James went on to describe how deadly the untamed tongue can be.

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.
The tongue is so set among our members
that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire
the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.”
James 3:6

1. “And the tongue is a fire”

a) James was probably thinking of how destructive fire can be on a hot summer day.

b) Great forests may be destroyed by raging fire; it starts with a little fire.

2. “A world of iniquity”

a) The tongue can be deadly.

b) It may be compared to “a world of iniquity”.

3. “It defiles the whole body”

a) The word “body” in this context may not be a reference to the human body.

b) It is likely that James was making a reference to the body of Christ.

i) False teachings can affect the body of Christ badly.

ii) False doctrine can bring about schism in the church.

iii) It can have a corrupting influence in the body of Christ.

4. “It sets on fire the course of nature”

a) Once a fire has started it is difficult to control it.

b) Other factors will set in (these are all part of nature).

i) Dryness of the wood

ii) Dry winds

c) These add to the problem of “wild fires”.

5. “And it is set on fire by hell”

a) James switched his attention to the community of believers.

b) “Hell” is a reference to Satan and his hordes of demons.

c) They would take advantage of any situation that could hurt the body of Christ.

d) The untamed loose tongue can cause havoc to the Church!