“So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!” (James 3:5, NASB).

As the Wildfire Chief in a state’s Natural Resources Department for much of his career, my husband was very familiar with the dynamics of fire science. He explained the three key “fire triangle”components required to ignite and spread a fire: fuel, heat, and oxygen (air). The comparison of these with the “wildfire tongue” described in the Book of James is insightful, considering the similarities.

The Fire Triangle

1. Fuel: This is anything flammable including wood, paper, houses, shrubbery, grasses, electrical equipment, and some metals. The drier the fuel, the faster it burns. It’s very difficult to start a fire with wet wood.
   
   In a person’s life, the fuel for a harmful fiery tongue to take hold might be personal grudges, bitterness, hurts, immaturity, low self-worth, selfishness, or a favorite sin. Life experiences or circumstances may dry someone out and predispose them to become easily injured, inflamed or provoked. But Jesus promises the water of life, the Holy Spirit, to those who receive Him as Lord and Savior and meditate on His Word, (John 4:14, 7:37-38; Revelation 22:17; Psalm 1:1-3, NASB). 

2. Heat: This is the ignition point that starts the fire. Wildfires sometimes begin naturally from a lightning strike or heat from the sun. But most are caused by careless human activities with cigarettes, matches, campfires, or arson.  Even one stray spark from a passing train on a track has the potential of causing a huge conflagration with thousands of acres engulfed in flames.
   
   In the same way, words we think are insignificant or harmless can cause great damage to others. A spark may be a sharp word or a thoughtless aside spoken carelessly, intentional or unintentional.

3. Air (oxygen): Air is naturally occurring and necessary to ignite or sustain a fire. However, the direction, humidity, and strength of the wind plays a crucial role in the formula of how far and fast a fire will spread.
   
   Ephesians 2:2 (NASB) describes the prince of the power of the air who is now at work in those who are disobedient. There is a spiritual enemy who desires to spread enmity, harm, and destruction among God’s people. Just as wildfires emit air pollutants, when we follow the ways of this world, we invite the winds of evil to stir up destructive fires in our lives.

To extinguish a fire, at least one of the fire triangle components must be removed. A fire can fizzle out quickly or spread uncontrollably, depending on the characteristics of the three ingredients. For example, the moisture level of the fuel influences how quickly it will spread. High humidity lowers the flashpoint, limits the fire, and suppresses its spread. Removing fuel, heat, or air will extinguish a fire.

The Good and Bad of Fire and the Tongue

Every year wildfires burn millions of acres of land in the United States, kill dozens of people, and cause billions of dollars in damages. But fire itself can be destructive or constructive, depending on how it is controlled or contained. It is a gift of God when it is used for cooking, heating, refining metals, or incinerating garbage.

The tongue is also a gift from God which can be used for good or evil. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” (James 3:9-10a, NASB). With our tongues, we communicate with God and other people, teach, give blessings, confess sin, and praise the Lord. But when uncontrolled, the tongue causes great harm and destroys relationships. 

Such a small muscle has incredible power to bring blessing or curse, life or death, healing or injury. James 3:8 (NASB) tells us “no human can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” Although it is difficult to control, there is hope. The Bible says that with Holy Spirit’s help we can have the power to control our tongues. Self-control over the tongue is one important characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV). This little part of our body that has the potential to cause so much trouble and grief can be redeemed by God. It can be used for good purposes when we allow God’s Holy Spirit to control it. He can tame it and make it an instrument of blessing as we “offer ourselves as living sacrifices….[as] a spiritual act of worship,” (Romans 12:1, NASB).

A person responsible for starting a large wildfire often faces a legal charge or hefty fine as a consequence. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for all the times I’ve misused my tongue, as well as for my other sins, when He died on the cross. I can thank Him for that wonderful gift as I look to Him to be the wildfire supervisor in my life.

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips,” (Psalm 141:3, NASB).

Prayer: Lord, I confess I’ve allowed my tongue to get out of control. I’m sorry for words I’ve spoken that have hurt others or dishonored You. Please help me to allow your Holy Spirit to control my words. 

Amen.