A small fire, a great forest

Tame the Tongue Speak Wisely · James 3

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1Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a greater judgment.

2For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, this one is a mature man, able also to bridle the whole body.

3If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we also guide their whole bodies.

4Look also at the ships: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the one steering wills.

5So also the tongue is a small member, and yet it boasts of great things. See how small a fire sets ablaze so great a forest.

6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is set among our members as a world of unrighteousness, staining the whole body and setting on fire the wheel of birth, and being set on fire by Gehenna.

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