1. “The Tongue is a Fire 2” James 3:2-6
PRACTICING A CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN WALK:
A Study in the book of James
“The Tongue is a Fire 2” James 3:2-6

2. The Tongue is a Fire
2  For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3  Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

3. The Tongue is a Fire The Outline for the intro to chapter 3:1-6
The Tongue has Power to Instruct: (vs.1)
The Tongue has the Power to Control: (3:2-4)
The Tongue has the Power to Consume: (vs.5,6)

4. The Tongue is a Fire
THE POINT: The purpose of James letter is to get Christians to bridle, control, reign in, regulate.
The Tongue has the Power to Control: (3:2-4) [To Influence]

5. The Tongue is a Fire
WE have 3 illustrations of “bridling”: Bits in the horses mouth’s – Obedience to the Rider (vs.3) Small rudder turns the ship – Guided by the Pilot (vs.4)

6. The Tongue is a Fire The Tongue has the Power to Corrupt: (vs.5,6)
Spark begins a forest fire – Consumes the forest (vs.6)
A fire of iniquity – the tongue contributes to immorality.
A fire of physical defilement – bodily consequences.
A fire of damnation for eternity – soul damage.

7. The Tongue is a Fire
THIS IS THE STRONGEST STATEMENT WARNING FOR THE TONGUE:
6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.