The Effect of the Tongue and the Fire
- Daniel Glimm
- PROPHETIC CHAMBER
As God’s people, we should be able to rule our tongues in all circumstances through the Holy Spirit in the power of self-control. We do this by making sure that everything we utter is in accordance with the Word of God and its essence.
James wrote to the scattered tribes of Israel in chapter 3:1-12 about the power of the tongue, which he compared as a bridle on a horse, an oar on a ship, or a fire in a forest. In this context, the apostle pointed to the power that God has placed on the tongue.
The tongue can have tremendous effects in a good way or in a bad way. Either it can set a ‘forest’ (Note: society of people) on fire to destroy or make a spring sweet or bitter.
James 3:3-6:
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.
4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Being Watchful against Bitterness
=> In Exodus 23:20-21, it says that God sent His angel before the people of Israel to guard them and bring them to the place He had already prepared. In connection with this, the people of Israel were admonished to pay attention to the angel of the LORD and to listen to His instruction without being rebellious toward Him.
Exodus 23:20-21:
20 ‘See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. …’
20 ‘See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
21 Pay attention to him and listen to what he says. Do not rebel against him; he will not forgive your rebellion, since my Name is in him. …’
The angel appointed by God for the people of Israel carried God’s honor, authority and character. Moreover, the above scripture describes the whole victory of Israel if they would obey these instructions.
The word, ‘rebellious’ in Hebrew comes from the word ‘marar’.
The word, ‘rebellious’ in Hebrew comes from the word ‘marar’.
It means, ‘to drip with bitterness like a faucet’ but also, ‘to provoke others to bitterness, or to complain and thereby become the cause of grief and trouble/annoyance.’
‘Marar’ figuratively means ‘to speak out or act out things that provoke the angel of God sent to carry out God’s plans in our lives.’
Therefore, it is important that we do not limit the presence of the angels for our lives by a wrong or evil kind of communication, but practice self-control to get to the God prepared destination.
In Numbers 13 and 14, the children of Israel connected with the intimidating powers over their promised land by agreeing with them (Note: allowing themselves to be intimidated).
They wept, complained, were grieved and mourned. They dripped like a leaky faucet with bitterness and unbelief.
By doing so, they annoyed the angelic powers assigned by God, who had already been gathered and lined up for their sake, namely those who had the name of God in them. This resulted in the people of Israel blocking their entrance into the promised land.
In fact, they had been uttering proclamations and curses against themselves all night long, which included speaking out about not being able to do what was in accordance with God’s will for their lives and to act in it. Thus they made their own promise unfruitful, so that due to this the door was open to the adversary to deceive them. <= (The text placed in ‘=>’ is based on a statement by Anne Tate, GZI from the Prayer Letter of 07/24/2011).
In Deuteronomy 9:2-3, the LORD reveals to the people of Israel the influence of the adversary in the form of the presence of the Anakites, who carried a power in their speech, which can be described as a certain kind of evil fire that spreads quickly among the people or influences them greatly to intimidate them in their purpose.
Deuteronomy 9:2-3 (New Jerusalem Version):
..., 2 to a large, tall people, the Anakites-you know the saying and have heard it many times: who can resist the sons of Anak? 3 Today you will know that the Lord your God, like a consuming fire himself, is passing over before you. He will destroy them, and he will subdue them to you, so that you can immediately drive them out and wipe them out, as the Lord has promised you.
..., 2 to a large, tall people, the Anakites-you know the saying and have heard it many times: who can resist the sons of Anak? 3 Today you will know that the Lord your God, like a consuming fire himself, is passing over before you. He will destroy them, and he will subdue them to you, so that you can immediately drive them out and wipe them out, as the Lord has promised you.
In this context the Holy Spirit revealed the word ‘Sibilus’, which goes along with the term of a ‘little king’ and points to the influence of the adversary in the form of the ‘basilisk’.
=> The basilisk (Greek: basiliskos lat. regulus = ‘little king’; also Sibilus) is a mythical animal. It is considered the ‘king of snakes’. In medieval animal books, basilisks are often depicted as hybrid creatures with the upper body of a rooster, a crown on its head, and the lower body of a snake (Note: indicating pride, false rulership, and deviousness). His gaze petrifies or kills. His breath is deadly poisonous. <= (The text placed in '=>' is based on an explanation from https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilisk_(Mythology))
=> Furthermore, the word ‘basilisk’ comes from ‘basilsikos’ meaning ‘royal’ and is a mythical reptile hatched by a serpent (Note: cunning, lying) from the egg of a rooster (Note: pride; narcissism, vanity). In the Bible, ‘basilisk’ is sometimes translated as 'adder' or 'viper' (cf. Psalm 91:13; Proverbs 23:32; Isaiah 11:8; Isaiah 14:29; Isaiah 59:5; Jeremiah 8:17).
The basilisk is the illustration of the devil himself, whose primary purpose is death and destruction. He is bent on destroying the relationship among saints through false accusations, which is akin to the realm of the accuser of the brethren (cf. Revelation 12:10). <= (The text placed in ‘=>’ is based on an explanation from a prophetic word by Paul Keith Davis and Bob Jones).
Based on the Bible passage from Deuteronomy 9:2-3, it is clear that the LORD Himself opposed the Anakites as a consuming fire to minimize them in their power so that God's people were given the opportunity to rule sovereignly over the Anakites, to drive them out and completely exterminate them.
The figure of speech of the Anakites, as mentioned earlier, has a demonic origin (Note: like that of the basilisk) and can seem very overwhelming at first to saints who continue on their journey with Christ deeper into their promise. Therefore, it is necessary that we be positioned in the center of the Heavenly Father’s love and will. Insofar as we are in this center of God, His essence becomes active in the form of the consuming fire that encompasses His zeal for us as His people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:24).
Deuteronomy 4:24:
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
It is the fire of God that acts like a protective wall around us as we recognize ourselves in the structure of the Bride of Christ, which is the heavenly Jerusalem, and reciprocate His first love for us toward Him (cf. Zechariah 2:5 i.c.w. Revelation 21:2.9-10).
Zechariah 2:5:
5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the Lord, “and I will be its glory within.”
5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the Lord, “and I will be its glory within.”
Revelation 21:2.9-10:
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. …
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. …
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
The Communication of Jesus and the Destruction of Evil
It is no coincidence that in the book of Revelation Jesus’ tongue is described as a sharp, two-edged sword that darts forth from His mouth (cf. Revelation 1:16).
Revelation 1:16:
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
16 In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
This passage of Scripture just mentioned reveals to us that Jesus speaks the Word of God in a vividness, power, and sharpness that is formed by His tongue (cf. Hebrews 4:12-13).
Hebrews 4:12-13:
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Based on the prophecy of Isaiah 11:4, it can be seen that Jesus Christ establishes divine justice and destroys all evil with the vitality of His word (cf. Isaiah 11:4 i.c.w. 2 Thessalonians 2:8).
Isaiah 11:4:
… 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
… 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
2 Thessalonians 2:7-8:
7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming.
7 For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.
8 And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendour of his coming.
Dealing with people who are under this demonic influence of ‘Sibilus’ can therefore feel disturbing, intense and sometimes confusing, in that the accusations made are often explained with the motive of ‘open and direct address’, ‘higher claims’ as well as ‘truthfulness’.
This merely represents a trap of deception that the enemy sets up to paralyze us. We are to ponder the truthfulness and acknowledge the plausibility of the statements, while the poison of cruel disparagement of others or the work of God, which is doubted therein, itself, is to slowly work its effectiveness in our hearts.
We may remain focused that even saints in the Body of Jesus who speak openly and honestly about something in the Holy Spirit can never sound cruel, accusatory, and belittling (note: by extension, also ungrateful, arrogant, disapproving).
Truth, which is worked by God’s Spirit, remains sober in everything, loving in every rebuke, and caring. It is also communicated out of respectability to the persons concerned and not to several circles of persons beforehand, in order to preserve an order within a community, according to Matthew 18:15 ff.
We recall James' revelatory words on wisdom following the verses on the use of the tongue, which is also revealed in two dimensions and shows characteristic differences in its effect (cf. James 3:15-17).
James 3:15-17:
15 Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
15 Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
Therefore, let us be centered in the consuming nature of God and go forward in the revelatory truth of God’s Word in order to enter more deeply into our promise in Christ Jesus.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
