THE POWER OF THE TONGUE

THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
James 3:1-6
"Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire...." (vv.5-6).

THE HUMAN BODY IS MADE UP OF so many organs and parts. But one surpasses the rest as the key to a person's perfection, namely, the tongue (v.2). Using it is easy. Using it wrongly is equally easy. We must never under-estimate its place and importance.

Firstly, it holds power out of proportion of its size (vv.3-5a). Like the bit we put in a horse's mouth, or the rudder we fix to a ship, it is small by comparison to what it directs. The tongue is a small part of the human body, but it steers and determines the whole destiny of its owner. One wrong word could plunge him into a downward course of no return.

Secondly, the tongue is lethal. Not only does it hold power, it holds power to destroy. It is said that a tree may make a thousand matches, but it takes only one match to destroy a thousand trees. A tongue is that single match, kindling a solitary spark, to set aflame an entire forest (v.5b). Words can devastate lives, relationships, and communities. The tongue can wound, maim and destroy as surely as any gun, missile and nuclear warhead.

The worst part of words is that, once set loose, they cannot be recalled. Its work of corruption, once begun, cannot be stopped. Words eat into a person. Like a virus, it ravages from within. Like the bullets that hit the victim and explode to bits inside the body, the words of malice, hatred, ill will, and wrath cause similar havoc. Ultimately, such a vicious scheme can only have its origin in hell (v.6) and the devil. Those who use their tongue in such a way are partners with Satan. They themselves will also be consumed eventually.

We must therefore watch our tongue. Teachers, according to James, will be judged more strictly (v.1). They use words more than, say, a mechanic or an accountant. They are also in the position to influence others with what they say. The same is true, we may add, of other walks of life.

All of us would be wise to take note of the warning about the tongue. Like the psalmist, may we resolve, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth...." (Ps 39.1). Let us think, pray, and think again, before we speak. If words be power, let us make sure it is power to build up, not to destroy.

What words will I speak, or have I spoken, today?