“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” (James 3:5).

James paints a powerful picture about how our little tongues can have a very big impact. He illustrates this with the horse’s bit (3:3), the ship’s rudder (3:4) and the little spark that ignites a massive fire (3:5).

Engines 7, 9, 12 and Rescue 8 were racing to the scene of a reported fire spreading across the dry grassy field. Other units from neighboring communities were being summoned and were beginning to respond. Unfortunately, a couple of young boys had found some matches. They were intrigued with the “little fire” their matches could produce. Before they knew it, the fire was out of control.

What a powerful picture of a careless, thoughtless, untrue or unkind word. Our tongues can be used to impact many for good or harm.

Here’s a thought for us today: When it comes to being harmful, I need to view my tongue as that match in a dry field and not strike it!