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.
(James 3:6) NKJV
The interesting part of this verse isn’t, surprisingly, the reference to hell. In this passage the word translated as hell is gehenna. Jesus uses gehenna, continual burning trash and bodies in the vale of Hinnom, as a picture of what the fire of hell is going to be like. The interesting part is sets on fire the course of nature.
My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
( James 3:1-12 )
The Tongue is a Fire
1.
Be not many masters
2 – 4.
Offend not in word
5 – 12.
The tongue
Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
( Matthew 15:11 )
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
(Mark 9:43-44) KJV
Jesus tells us that the punishment for sin is burning in hell, a fire like in Hinnom. However, hell hasn’t been replaced by burning trash in Hinnom. Hell is expanding, it’s the cause of global warming.
And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.
(Revelation 8:6-7) KJV
And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth. And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshiped his image.
(Revelation 16:1-2) KJV
In what may be a departure from the norm we’re going to consider that three descriptions of catastrophes coming upon the Earth in the book of Revelation are three versions of the same events.
Matty (Headwind) 