Verses to Abide In
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:6-8 ESV
Digging Deeper
From Grant Richison
and it is set on fire by hell
The word for “hell” here is Gehenna, the word that Jesus used most often for hell. This is the only occurrence in the New Testament use of this term outside of Jesus’ use of the word.
Gehenna was originally the garbage dump in the valley of Hinnom outside Jerusalem to the southeast. They dumped every kind of filth imaginable into Gehenna. They threw dead animals and unburied criminals there. They even sacrificed children there in the name of the god Moloch. The idea of “set on fire by hell” means that the devil uses the tongue to do his damage.
Pr 16:27 “An ungodly man digs up evil,
And it is on his lips like a burning fire.”
Pr 26:21 “As charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire,
So is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
PRINCIPLE:
An evil tongue finds its inspiration from hell.
…When a person throws mud, he dirties his own hands in the process.
James 3:6c | Bible Exposition Commentary
Gilbrant on restless evil - The tongue is an "unruly evil," literally, an evil which cannot be held back. It is like a wild animal restlessly wanting to make an attack. It is like an enemy that cannot be contained by military force. Phillips translates it, "It is an evil always liable to break out." (Ibid)
https://www.preceptaustin.org/james-3-commentary#3:6
From the Heart
I feel like James 3:6 is one of those verses that you do a double take with: “Wait. Did that just say, ‘…set on fire by hell’?”
Adding the commentary and historical context about Gehenna really fills out my understanding of the satanic influence and old self (the sin nature we were all born with) components in dealing with the tongue.
I have also been thinking a lot about how our unchecked emotions can trigger thoughts that trigger words with lightning speed. I can think of times when I have had fear or anxiety trigger thoughts, assumptions, and ultimately words or actions that the devil has taken the opportunity to use.
Ephesians 4:27 in the English Standard Version says, “and give no opportunity to the devil.”
I have been helped by the knowledge that emotions are signals that God gives us to check our thoughts and hearts to make sure they match what God has for us in the Bible and, in turn, keep the devil from getting those opportunities.
One book that is great at explaining this is Search for Significance by Robert McGee.
What sets you off?
What triggers you?
What makes you afraid or anxious?
What makes you angry?
What do you find yourself complaining about?
These are the questions I ask myself because I know Bible verses that say how I should keep these emotions in check in ways that can bring truth, peace, and joy and iron out the internal troubles—or rather—put out the fire, often even before the fire can spark.
Below, I will share one that happened this past week…
My tongue was that caged wild animal, pacing back and forth, looking for an opening.
It saw a target via my fingers quickly texting the words through my phone…
The Holy Spirit intercepts!
I deleted what I began typing.
My emotions still felt neglected.
I still sat there sad and rejected.
The Spirit brought to mind, “Consider others’ interests above your own.”
My mind and fingers fought to ignore the call of the Word.
I began typing again.
“Consider others’ interests above your own.”
It was a little louder in my mind this time.
A not-so-great photographic memory of the words in black-and-white text showed a little clearer from the Bible my mom gave me back when I was in Junior High School.
“Consider the interests of others above your own.”
I deleted the text again before anything was sent.
I kept praying.
I asked God for help in the battle.
I waited.
I rested in God’s love.
He gave me peace in not sending the text, and I committed to not confronting anyone about what I felt at the time.
And then…God changed what I felt.
God gave me joy in obedience.
God gave me love for the others involved.
God gave me contentment in the purposes he had for me instead.
The Holy Spirit tamed the wild animal that was my tongue.
God Almighty,
We consider and acknowledge your power after a storm came and Jesus awoke, and he rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm (Matthew 4:39 ESV).
In the same way, we acknowledge that you have given us weapons and the Holy Spirit, who carry the same power (2 Corinthians 10:2–5 NIV).
Please still the tongue that is like a wild beast that rages in the cage of our mouths (James 4:8).
Reveal to us if there is any sin blocking our way to you (Isaiah 59:2)…
Show us if we have any unconfessed sin (1 John 1:9)…
Show us if we have lost self-control with our tongue (2 Timothy 1:7)…
Forgive me, please, for…
Thank you for your forgiveness (Psalm 103:12).
Thank you for your grace (Ephesians 2:8–9; 2 Corinthians 12:9).
Thank you for your mercy (Ephesians 2:4–5).
Thank you for your understanding (Hebrews 4:15–16).
Strengthen us to, in humility, value others above ourselves,
not looking at our own interests, but each of us to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3b–4 NIV).
When we are angry, help us to stop and seek you and your righteousness (James 1:19–20).
When we are anxious, help us to come to you and talk with you about it (Philippians 4:6–8).
When we are afraid, help us to trust in you (Psalm 56:3).
May the responses that we draw from within be by your Spirit in the Truth of your Word, and not of our sin nature, the old self.
Help us to be in the habit of renewing the spirit of our minds, putting on the new self (Ephesians 4:21–24 ESV).
You are compassionate.
You are gracious.
You are slow to anger.
You are abounding in love (Psalm 103:8 NIV).
We trust in you. You are our trust (Jeremiah 17:7 ESV).
In the name of Jesus, Peace (Ephesians 2:14).
Amen!
I pray that from God's glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you of inner strength through his Spirit,
Laura
laurabreece.com
Upcoming Dates
Sunday, May 24, 10 AM
Leading Worship Music at Crossing Community Church Service
80 Lower Silver Lake Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Rain Date: Saturday, June 13
Saturday, May 30, 2026, 1PM
(for a 20 minute set)
Music Festival and Motorcycle Show
Crossing Community Church
80 Lower Silver Lake Road
Newtown, PA 18940
Rain Date: Saturday, June 13
Friday, June 5, 2026, 7:30
No More Chainz Recovery Church
Michael Teaching and we will do a song!
316 Durham Rd. Penndel, PA 19047
(Parking in lot across from church)
Saturday, August 1, 2026, 7-9pm
Acts of Grace Coffeehouse
1609 Woodburne Road
SUITE 403B (very back of complex)
LEVITTOWN, PA 19057
Monday, August 3, 2026, 7-9pm
Karen's Place Outdoor Concert
Doylestown Mennonite Church
590 N. Broad Street
Doylestown, PA 18901