James is deeply concerned about speech....by the teaches in his congregations and by the influence of the tongue set on fire by a world view that is unrighteous. Drawing on familiar marketplace illustrations and Palestinian images, James teaches his flocks that the tongue can be so out of control as to be fired by hell, doing vast damage. Our own culture of criticism, innuendo, fake news, and slander is right up to date with James' warnings, and we have great needs for Holy Spirit power to be in control of our own tongues.
