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The Tongue Is A Fire

The Tongue Is A Fire

Jul 09, 2023

Passage: James 3:1-12

Preacher: Rob Holster

Series: The Rules of Following Jesus

Summary:

Fire is amazing. It is both helpful and destructive. It contributes to beneficial production and has been used as a tool for work in many different capacities. But it also causes catastrophic damage. It can be used for both good and evil. The same is true for the tongue–or our words–which is the point James makes in our passage (James 3) this week. He says the tongue IS a fire. And that's very fitting because we use our words to both work and waste. We can use our words for both good and evil. To help and to hurt. To build up and to tear down. We've been learning about using the gift we have in Jesus Christ–receiving that gift and opening it–discovering what our new life in Him yields. James emphasizes the works we will do–the works we were re-born to do. And in chapter 3 he speaks of the power that exists in our speech. Sure, we can use it for good–to praise God–to build up others–to remain quiet when we need to. And when we're walking with Jesus–and leaning into that relationship–our words can be a spring of fresh water. But when we retreat to our fleshly desires–our human nature–our words can damage and destroy. It only takes a small spark to start a raging fire. It's a really great reminder and wake up call to control our tongues, as they have great power to both help and hurt–to do good and to do evil.

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