A great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
—James 3:5
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire” (Jas 3:6).
R.C.H. Lenski, Bible scholar and commentator, wrote about the above sentence, “Nothing stronger was ever said about the tongue. . . . among the members of our body, no other member can be compared to it for the range of evil influence.”
Uncontrolled tongues set nations afire and fan flames into wars. Malicious words cause enormous, often irreversible damage, killing churches, wrecking relationships, and destroying families.
“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless” (Jas 1:26).
Closing your mouth cages your tongue.