The Tongue is like a Spark
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
James 3:1-12, James 1:19, Philippians 4:8
1 My friends, we should not all try to become teachers. In fact, teachers will be judged more strictly than others. 2 All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body. 3 By putting a bit into the mouth of a horse, we can turn the horse in different directions. 4 It takes strong winds to move a large sailing ship, but the captain uses only a small rudder to make it go in any direction. 5 Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! 6 The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed. 8 But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. 9 My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right. 10 11 Can clean water and dirty water both flow from the same spring? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives or a grapevine produce figs? Does fresh water come from a well full of salt water?
James 3:1-12
19 My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.
James 1:19
8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don't ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8
Memory Verse
James 3:5-6
5 Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! 6 The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person's entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself.
Think for a minute and make a list of ways people can use fire. Then, go through your list and mark whether each item is a good thing or a bad thing.
Even though fire can be useful, it can also cause a lot of damage. We must be cautious around fire. You must never play with matches or a lighter. We always make sure living room candles will not get knocked over, and we put out the fire before leaving a campsite.
When James says “The tongue is like a spark,” he’s comparing our words to fire. Just like how a tiny spark can start a cozy campfire or a devastating forest fire, your words can help or hurt those around you. You can choose to say either nice things or mean things to your sister or brother. With your words, you can choose to encourage your friend or make fun of your friend. Just like with fire, we need to be careful with our words.
After showing how our words can be like fire, James points out that when we use kind, loving, and true words, we reflect how God speaks to us. Isn’t it amazing that we can speak the words of the God who created the stars and planets to our friends and family? Just like how a parent can teach you how to use fire safely, your words can help teach others about God: our God comforts the hurting, loves his creation, speaks the truth, and guides the lost.
Prayer
Dear God, help me use my words to build up those around me today. May the words of my mouth be pleasing in your sight. Amen.Related Resources
Philip Vander Windt
Philip VanderWindt is the pastor at Champlain Valley Christian Reformed Church. In his free time he enjoys building “tall-tall towers” with his kids, analyzing worldviews of films and music with his wife, photographing the beauty of God’s creation, dabbling in leathercraft and woodwork, and writing.