And the Tongue Is a Fire

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.” Jas. 3:6. He goes on to write that no man, or human nature, can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. This is such a remarkable and unique teaching that we have every reason to stop and ask ourselves some questions: How do I use my tongue? “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Prov. 18:21.

How many people have I “killed” or damaged with my tongue? How many people have been refreshed, encouraged, and blessed by my tongue?

When Paul describes the nature of a human being—especially the part of a human being that is connected to the tongue—he writes: “Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” Rom. 3:13-14.

It’s quite amazing how a person can manage to dress up their wretched deeds with words and phrases to make them appear to be something noble, as if they cared for their surroundings. You can wrap yourself in beautiful words so that you appear to be an angel, whereas the truth is pretty much the opposite. At the same time, you cast suspicions on your neighbor and their intentions, so that those who happen to hear you are made to struggle with critical, destructive thoughts—perhaps for years. Those who hear you become almost paralyzed when it comes to doing something good for the person who is being discussed. There was deadly poison in what you gave them to eat. By being curious, you can gather a whole warehouse of information about things that don’t concern you at all, and you can feed this to others as being “reliable” information concerning all sorts of topics without verifying if what you say is actually true. You set the course of nature on fire, and perhaps cause many people to have their day of work ruined because they are forced to “put out fires” instead of using the day for something far more useful and edifying.

Using the little rudder called the tongue, you steer your ship and you steer your life in a completely wrong direction—away from fellowship and brotherhood—and you perhaps end up keeping company with people you never intended to be with.

So, what should you do? Well, first you have to repent thoroughly. This includes asking for forgiveness for evil and thoughtless words that have been said. Next, you have to enter into a determined and enduring work on your own salvation. You have to watch and pray! Even Paul, that great man of God, was so poor in himself that he asked the Ephesians to pray for him, that words would be given to him when he opened his mouth. This is quite a contrast to the average person who “babbles” about all sorts of things—a bit of this and a bit of that—so that the ones around them become worn out and drained of motivation and energy. Most of it is all about themselves, about their own greatness and excellence, or about the foolishness of others—what they have said and expressed, things, that on closer examination, were neither said nor meant in that way. “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matt. 10:7. Is that what I bring to others? A kingdom consisting of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit? Or is it the futility of my mind that controls my tongue? Do I have a purpose with what I’m saying? This is a good yardstick: “Let all that you do be done with love.” 1 Cor. 16:14. We should also take these words of James to heart: “If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.” Jas. 1:26. Do I contribute something of value to the others, or am I someone who steals and consumes their time through worthless chatter? How often do we pray this prayer of David? “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Ps. 19:14. John the Baptist put it this way: “. . . he who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.” John 3:31. The majority of all speaking, also among believers, comes from the earth. Nonetheless, this is better than the speaking that comes from tongues that have been set on fire by hell, fueled by hatred and contempt for others.

But what Jesus spoke was from heaven. His tongue was freed from the earth and from people. It was set on fire by heaven. He lost His life in this world. For this reason, there was heavenly power and authority in what He spoke. No one could tear down the strongholds of Satan the way He did. No one could break through the darkness the way He did. No one could build up those who were poor in spirit the way He did. He was above all. His humiliation that went under all has given Him such power that He will consume the lawless one with the words of His mouth when the time comes. He stood before God in the days of His flesh and heeded this word: “. . . If you take out the precious from the vile, you shall be as My mouth . . . .” Jer. 15:19.

By loving righteousness and hating lawlessness, a fountain came forth that was so pure and undefiled that “all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth.” Luke 4:22. “No man ever spoke like this Man!” was the testimony that the officers gave Jesus. John 7:46.

We need to come into contact with this same fountain. When we use the cross to shut off the old fountain that springs from the lusts and desires of the flesh, we come in contact with the Spirit of truth. The Spirit draws from the storehouse that is with the Father, which Jesus gathered up in His Spirit during His sojourn down here. “All things that the Father has are Mine” Jesus said. John 16:15. What a fountain of wisdom and living water! Even when Paul warned against Alexander the coppersmith, his speech was pure—pure water for the preservation of the body of Christ. 2 Tim. 4:14-15. In this way our speech becomes good, and for necessary edification. Our words become well-chosen, and our tongue is transformed from an uncontrollable evil to an invaluable good. The mouth of righteousness, the tongue of righteousness and the words of righteousness spoken at the right time are not plentiful here on earth, not even in the church.

All tongues that have been set on fire by hell and all speaking that puts our own “I” in the spotlight will come to an end. Then all of heaven will sing with liberated tongues and with a loud voice: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing! . . . Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Rev. 5:12-13.

Our tongue is to be trained in this Spirit. Then it is not our sin—our “ego”—that controls our tongue. Goodness, mercy and thankfulness have instead received an instrument that spreads blessing and hope. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.” Prov. 12:18.