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The Tongue — Part 1
Here is some good advice: “Extinguish burning thoughts before they become flaming words.”
It made me think of these verses from the book of James:
“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:5-6).
If not bridled, the tongue can become the means of condemning others and exalting ourselves, for it can boast “great things.” If not controlled, it becomes the source of great mischief, for though “a little member” it is like a little fire which may, if not extinguished, eventually destroy a whole forest. Furthermore, the tongue is described as a fire which not only kindles trouble, but keeps it going. It is capable of instigating every form of unrighteousness and fanning things so that they become completely out of control. By its evil suggestions the tongue can lead to every member of the body being defiled. The evil spirits of hell find in the tongue a ready instrument for their wicked work, which is why it can be said that “it is set on fire of hell.”
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