James 3:4

The design of our apostle, by this and the former similitude, is to shew, that little things well governed can govern great bodies; as the rider by. small bit can govern the horse at pleasure, and the pilot, by. small rudder, can manage the ship with ease; so the government of that little member the tongue, is. special mean for governing the whole man.

Next he compares the tongue to fire, in regard to the danger that attends it: Will. spark of fire set. house,. town,. city in. flame, and lay it in ashes? In like manner will. fiery tongue inflame. family,. society,. church,. kingdom: Yea, the whole world, by strife and contention, putting all into combustion; such. tongue being set on work by the devil, and kindled by that fire which came from hell; but verily,. tongue set on fire from hell, shall, without repentance, be set on fire in hell.

Learn hence, that. wicked tongue is of. hellish original, the fire of such. tongue is blown up by the breath of hell; let us abhor contentions, revilings, and reproaches, as we would hell itself.