5. "Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze!"The things taught with the spoken word may boast of great things... like, "The Lord gives us a new heart"... or, "God's love does not account for evil", but it's ultimately the living of it out, (the fruit) that proves the teacher and the teaching. If one claims to have been saved, yet never changes the way they perceive their fellow man as God does... or insist that others say they are sorry for a perceived hurt, they really bring more condemnation upon themselves and the whole of Christianity.
In the same way a small spark can set on fire a great forest, in the next verse we will see just how bad a thing can be as a result of wrong teaching.
6. "And the tongue is a fire. [The tongue is a] world of wickedness set among our members, contaminating and depraving the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth (the cycle of man's nature), being itself ignited by hell (Gehenna)."
Misinterpretations and false teaching have devastating effects on the body and dishonor God; and this verse implies that we're inspired by satan. Even saved, we are influence by our old sin nature as well as the devils wiles, whisperings, and deception.
A fire is a wonderful example in that our tongue can cause a great many people to believe something about God that is just not true. This is another reason every Christian must become intimately aware of the scriptures, and the leading, and promptings of the Holy Spirit.
Let's pick up with James verse 3:7 next time.
I love you
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