wild fire

James 3:1-6

The keys words in this passage are tongue, fire and the idea of speaking. James uses a couple of word pictures: a horse controlled by a small bit, a ship steered by a rudder, and forest fire started by a spark. He compares all these things to the tongue.
James has two points in this section: first, that those who teach will be judged more strictly. The implied reason is that we are in a position of authourity and are moulding minds and lives by our words and instruction. The second point is that the tongue, while a small part of the body, can change the whole course of our lives. The implied application is that everyone should be very careful what they say because our words can destroy lives (including our own) very quickly.
I can attest to the truth of that - I don't have to think very hard to remember times when my tongue got me into a lot of trouble. James says that if we can control what we say, we will be perfect. I think his point is that if we have the strength to control our tongues, then we have the strength to control every other area of our lives.
His warning to teachers rings true for me. I need to work very hard to make sure that I am giving my best to my students, to make sure that I have researched what I am saying and that it is true and good and right. I must be very careful not to lead others down the wrong path. The responsibility that I have been given is huge and overwhelming.