What a great chunk of advice that is. In addition, you know how we all like to take credit for enlightening someone about ... well, practically anything. And then you get that momentary rush of pride, when you feel like sitting up a little taller because you inspired someone. Well, it was Christ working through you. Don't forget to give credit where credit is due. You are a friend sharing the incentive that Christ gave you through the Holy Spirit, so remember who you are. Humility is so important.

          Now, James points out that we should also be careful of the things that we say because we also stumble and during our fall, we hurt other people. Have you ever done that? Or rather, I should ask, who hasn’t? Let me give you an example of this. You’re talking about something that you’ve never really, truly, studied. You don’t have a clue what your opinion about it is, yet you continue to talk, just to talk. Then later ... Oh my! What have you said? You can’t believe the things that you uttered. When you get a good grip on your foot and yank it out of your mouth, you go through that little pride thing where you make excuses for what you said, and then finally you decide to reach up for the forgiving hand of God and just admit, I was wrong, and I’m sorry. Whew! Why do we do it over and over again?

          A spoken word is an invisible thing, yet it can do so much damage. James shares this in his letter.

          In many things we offend all. If anyone doesn’t offend in word, he is a perfect (complete) man, and is able to control his entire body (self). We put bits in the horses’ mouths, so they’ll obey us, and we turn about (control) their whole body.

          Also the ships, even though they’re massive, and driven by fierce winds, yet they’re turned around with a very small helm, wherever the steersman wishes.

          Don’t forget also, that you’re a part of the body of Christ, which means that your words can start a fire that can consume other Christians as well.

          Every kind of beast, bird, serpent, and things in the sea, are tamed, and have been tamed of mankind (Genesis 1:28), but the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

          I like the way the King James Version Bible interprets these three verses of James letter.

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil,
full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even
the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are
made after the similitude of God. Out of the same
mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not so to be.
 

          Don’t you just love TRUTH?

THE TONGUE IS A FIRE INFORMATION WITH THE TONGUE IS A FIRE MEANING

          James goes on with more for us to ponder. Does a fountain send out at the same place, sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my friends, bear olive berries? Or a vine, figs? Neither can a stream produce salt water and fresh water.

         Who is a wise man and has knowledge among you? Let him show with good conduct, his works, with meekness of wisdom.

          Notice that James comes back to his original point about works, but he warns, don’t let your own words get in your way. Be meek.

          If you have jealousy and quarreling in your hearts, don’t be proud, and don’t fight against TRUTH. This kind of wisdom isn’t from above, but is earthly, fleshly, devilish. Where jealousy and strife (dissension or selfishness) is, there is disorder and every evil work, but the wisdom that comes from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle and easy to be dealt with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

         And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.