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The Tongue Is a Fire

^1 (C1)Not many of you should become teachers serving in an official teaching capacity, ^(C2)my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who are teachers will ^(F1)be judged by a higher standard because we have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly.² For we all ^(C1)stumble and sin in many ways. ^(C2)If anyone does not stumble in what he says never saying the wrong thing, he is ^(C3)a perfect man fully developed in character, without serious flaws, able to ^(C4)bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature taming his human faults and weaknesses.³ Now ^(C1)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 ^(C1)boasts of great things. ^(C2)See by comparison how great a forest is set on fire by a small spark!⁶ And ^(C1)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 ^(C2)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 ^(F1)(C3)hell (Gehenna).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 ^(C1)deadly poison.⁹ With it we bless ^(C1)our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, ^(C2)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 ^(F1)fresh and bitter water?^12 (C1)Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce ^(F1)fresh.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and intelligent? ^(C1)Let him by his ^(C2)good conduct show his good deeds with the gentleness and humility of true wisdom.¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C1)jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be arrogant, and as a result be in defiance of ^(C2)the truth.¹⁵ This superficial wisdom is not that which comes down ^(C1)from above, but is ^(C2)earthly (secular), ^(C3)natural (unspiritual), even ^(C4)demonic.¹⁶ For where ^(C1)jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder unrest, rebellion and every evil thing and morally degrading practice.¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(C1)from above is first ^(C2)pure morally and spiritually undefiled, then ^(C3)peace-loving courteous, considerate, ^(C4)gentle, reasonable and willing to listen, ^(C5)full of compassion and good fruits. It is ^(C6)unwavering, without self-righteous ^(C7)hypocrisy and self-serving guile.¹⁸ And the ^(C1)seed whose fruit is righteousness (spiritual maturity) is sown in peace by those who make peace by actively encouraging goodwill between individuals.