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James 3:5-8 (JDV)

James 3:5: Although the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Think about how a small fire kindles a large forest.
James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is set on fire by Gehenna.
James 3:7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish can be tamed and has been tamed by humankind,
James 3:8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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If no one can tame the tongue, should we despair? No, notice that the tamers mentioned in verse 7 are humans. There is an exception to the “no one” in verse 8. The tongue can be tamed by its creator.

The fire of Gehenna that sets the tongue on fire can be put out by God.