How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Fire and wild animals are two of the most scary dangers we can face in life. They are unpredictable, and they can wreak havoc quickly, if they are out of control. Our words can destroy relationships, deflate enthusiasm, crush spirit. The little tongue does irreparable damage when we do not control it. It really can the the litmus test for our spiritual growth, or lack thereof. James then wraps things up with the question about water: salt water and fresh do not mix - you end up with just salt water. Proclaiming Christ and letting you tongue go rampant do not mix - the evil that comes out totally overshadows your profession of faith. What have you done with your mouth lately?
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