A Small Part

James 3 says, Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

I’ve heard this verse quoted many times, but it seems the focus on the tongue wagging was that of gossiping.  But this verse says the tongue makes “great boasts.”  And what follows that boasting is catastrophic – a great forest is set on fire!

In fact, the tongue is a fire, a “word of evil” among the parts of our body because an entire body can be destroyed by it, if let loose to boast incorrectly.

I’ve seen this happen in churches, where leaders start boasting in numbers, travels, programs and people, and pretty soon the church goes under much like a house in flames, and many are hurt in the process.

This happens in families or among friends when one person achieves success and begins to boast in their own abilities, their own smarts, and their own achievements, so much to where they belittle and shun those “beneath” them.

I’ve realized through these past several days of devotions how serious a matter it is, if we boast in anything other than God and the love of others shown to us.

It’s downright dangerous and destructive.

There’s no room for self-exaltation in the kingdom of God.  Just look at Jesus.  He was exalted…but it was by his Father…after he submitted himself to his Father’s will.