“Look at ships too: Though they are so large and driven by harsh winds, they are steered by a tiny rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination directs. So too the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it has great pretensions. Think how small a flame sets a huge forest ablaze. And the tongue is a fire! The tongue represents the world of wrongdoing among the parts of our bodies. It pollutes the entire body and sets fire to the course of human existence – and is set on fire by hell. For every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and sea creature is subdued and has been subdued by humankind. But no human being can subdue the tongue; it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse people made in God’s image.”

James 3:4-9 NET

Tongues of Fire

O true and living Word,

Forgive my lava words,

Words which would burn and destroy.

Cleanse and heal the anger, fear, and bitterness from which they come.

Cleanse and heal the wounds of others’ searing words in my heart.

Fill my mouth instead with words which sustain the weary,

Hearten the discouraged,

Give good news to the suffering,

Offer grace to the burdened and shamed,

Lighten the darkness,

Speak truth with love,

And teach Your words of life accurately.

When the true, kind, and necessary words must wound to heal,

Make them also loving, tender, and gentle,

Binding up the pain with comfort and blessing.

Fill my heart at all times with Your love and goodness,

That the words which overflow may revive and strengthen the hearers

To love and follow Christ in the power of the Spirit.

“May my words and my thoughts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my sheltering rock and my redeemer.”

Psalms 19:14 NET

Amen.