beware of mouth!

Scripture: "3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell." James 3:3-6

Translation: Words have an incredible amount of potential to either edify or destroy. However, their propensity for destruction is 10x more dangerous than their ability to uplift. The reason being is that a few choice words can demolish what took years and years to build up. James is basically saying that it's just like a fire. What took years and a lot of time to build up a fire could take down in mere minutes. The same is true with the words that stem from our tongue.

Example: Build up a solid relationship with a particular family. Then various actions start damaging said friendship. The words that really broke everything down?
"We're simply doing what God wants us to do."

Application: Beware of your mouth.



Note: Being involved with the various damaging implications of ones mouth does not justify one for being bitter. Because James, in fact later in the chapter, talks about the value of heaven-stemming wisdom. And, the conclusion is found in 17 and 18: "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor."