3 Now if we put bits into the horses’ mouths to make them obey us, we guide their whole body as well. 4 And look at the ships. Even though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the impulse of the helmsman determines. 5 In the same sense, the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See [by comparison] how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark! 6 And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by [a]hell (Gehenna). JAMES 3:3-6

Satan can use the tongue to destroy peoples lives and relationships. The tongue is a raging fire that sets a fiery, blazing path of inextinguishable rage against Elohim, Ourselves and our Loved ones, if we do not repent. This is because the words that we use are very powerful, we have the authority to impact the course of our lives, and others for the use of Elohim’s goodness, or Satans evil depending on the choice of words that we choose to use.

19 Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; 20 for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. 21 So get rid of all uncleanness and [a]all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. JAMES 1:19-21

We of course have the right to take a stand for ourselves, and others as well when in the position of someone trying to dominate in a evil, and disrespectful manner. I’ve observed that this is (and, even personally for me in the past), are the times and situations where heated words can easily be exchanged. For example, have you ever been around a person who is negative all of the time ? they are consistently rude and uptight, and nothing is ever good enough no matter how hard you try to make them happy. These particular types of personalities can be extremely difficult to cope with, especially when you are walking in the Spirit of the Lord, at times they are intentionally hateful and argumentative, they also usually tend to sway the conversation towards hate and the worst thing that a Christian and do is to try to make sense of a person like this, or try to have a rational conversation with them.

I had to learn this through growth, trial and tribulation. We live in a world and time where people are desperate to be heard, millions of people a second are dumping their deepest emotions, thoughts and feelings all over the internet and social media; and yet, most of the stories shared are hateful ones, that are disrespectful and extremely un-loving. How do you express positivity when the bullies of the world have taken over every platform? Well, the answer is clear, we must continue to fight evil with good.

NEVER LOWER YOUR MORALE

I’ve also learned to consider all who are suffering, and trust me there are many who are, and very deeply. Our tongue, and how we use it is a clear expression of what we are dealing with eternally, we cannot run from ourselves, in fact, we are either our own worst enemies, or we are not. Even for a believer, a truly bitter and resentful person can become unbearable, (I’ve learned that not every battle is for us to try to fight, sometimes its best to walk away and dust our feet of that situation); Yahshua, himself had to go into the wilderness to separate himself from the perils of this world and unsettledness of those who engulfed him everyday. The amplified bible states in: (LUKE 5:16), But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.

I’m using this particular verse to point out that we all, no matter how strong we believe we are need time and space to be in solitude and prayer. Our greatest battles as believers are won on our knees in prayer. I have personally failed numerous times trying to prove my side of story, while arguing back with someone who could care less about having peace, you cannot win a argument with a person who has “tongues of fire,” with a “tongue of fire,” yourself, right? RIGHT, as Christians, we can only win through the power of Jesus Christ.

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and sea creatures, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the human tongue; it is a restless evil [undisciplined, unstable], full of deadly poison. JAMES 3:7-8

In our personal journeys, as a believer, and for even those who aren’t a believer yet, but may become later in their lives we tend not to remember many details about a person, especially if they are met by a chance encounter, but, this speaks to those who we have a personal on-going relationship with as well. What we do remember about a person is their WORDS, their LOVING NATURE WHEN USING THOSE WORDS, and THEIR COMPASSION TOWARDS OTHERS. This is exactly what made Jesus so powerful when He was here on earth, those who he had personally encountered were taken by his kindness, and his gentleness and mostly but the WORDS HE SPOKE. We have the power to heal with compassion; but, if we are not careful we can also scorch everything with our tongues of fire, even beyond personal reconciliation.

No matter who you are, Justice must be served for what we say. this must be done because without justice and punishment for our actions we will never change. If a person believes he or she can beat the system, do you think they’ll really change? No, they will continue to abuse it, because this is human nature, and why so many are being led into the pit of hell, death and destruction.

!CONVICTION IS WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE. IF YOU DO NOT FEEL CONVICTED; YOU WILL NOT CHANGE!

8 Above all, have [a]fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. 1PETER 4:8

Without love, we have nothing; and all we do (as Christians), serves no true purpose. Now. never confuse this with who, and what we should tolerate. If a particular person is driving you down a dangerous path; mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. Please separate yourself from these persons, or person (if immediately possible), because just because you have good intentions, does not necessarily mean that they do, and they can become a danger to you.

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God. 10 Out of the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. These things, my brothers, should not be this way [for we have a moral obligation to speak in a manner that reflects our fear of God and profound respect for His precepts]. 11 Does a spring send out from the same opening both [a]fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce [b]fresh. JAMES 3:9-12

The tongue is very damaging and lethal. Even as children we were at times deceived about the impact, and trauma that words can cause, we’ve almost all have heard this saying; “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but, words will never, (or not) hurt me.” Now as a mature adult, do you consider this an appropriate lesson for children? I personally do not. If any one needs to understand the power of words more, its the Children, what we teach them as youth, will impact them forever, this is our responsibility, because as a mature adult we know that words do hurt, even children can comprehend when they are being spoken to in a hurtful manner, If you yell at a child, they will cry, & they will cry because they understand that someone has said something very hurtful to them and most of the times with children, they are so innocent that they do not understand how to respond to such evil, so I believe its the Holy Spirit leading them and guiding them, instead of lashing out in a angry response, they cry because they are innocent, this is how we should be as Christians, instead of responding back to evil tongues, we need to allow the Holy Ghost to lead and guide the situation. In the end we must understand that the words we choose to use can hurt a person far more than a stick or stone ever would in many peoples lifetime.

When we fall int the sin of a fiery tongue, it should cause us to feel conflicted, torn, ashamed and remorseful, and as a Christian we should very well seek repentance and forgiveness,

THIS IS WHAT SEPARATES US

I love how GALATIANS 5:22-23, is the roadmap Jesus has left for us; a sort of a blueprint that, if studied carefully and with pure and righteous intentions, can and will lead us to what need inside to take our fiery tongues.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

SELF-CONTROL, is of course much more easier said, than done, right? we must understand, when we practice self-control we are submitting to Elohim’s will and not mans. Once we understand that, the enemy will not be able to defeat us. Do not be shocked to know that the enemy will assign specific attacks to you, to try to destroy you; he’ll do anything to will over the souls of Yahshua’s chosen children, and he will not stop, the only way we can stop him is with Elohim, and with the written word He has given us.

8 Finally, all of you be like-minded [united in spirit], sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted [courteous and compassionate toward each other as members of one household], and humble in spirit; 9 and never return evil for evil or insult for insult [avoid scolding, berating, and any kind of abuse], but on the contrary, give a blessing [pray for one another’s well-being, contentment, and protection]; for you have been called for this very purpose, that you might inherit a blessing [from God that brings well-being, happiness, and protection]. 10 For, “The one who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not],
Must keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from speaking guile (treachery, deceit).
11“He must turn away from wickedness and do what is right. He must search for peace [with God, with self, with others] and pursue it eagerly [actively—not merely desiring it]. 12 “For the eyes of the Lord are [looking favorably] upon the righteous (the upright), And His ears are attentive to their prayer (eager to answer), But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil.” 1 PETER 3:8-12