Tongues of Fire or Studied and Spirit Led?

James 3:1-6 

1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

We who teach the doctrines of scripture must approach the task with fear and trembling, for we are accountable as to how we convey truth that builds up or error that trips up.  Here James tells us plainly that we will answer for what we teach, so the inference is that we are to use good interpretation principles and ensure that we are led by God’s Spirit by prayer in our study and preparations.  Yes, we all will make mistakes, stumbling in areas we do not know fully or rightly yet.  But this then means we are to speak with authority on certain matters, and with caution by stating only what we believe might be so when uncertain.  Our tongues are like wild horses with bridles in our mouths at times, having to reign in our presumptions and boastful knowing, which is pride.  They are also like a ship’s rudder that can keep us to the right course of sound doctrine or cause is to veer off into reefs of damage and destruction to those we plot the course of sanctification for.  This tongue of ours can burn up the work God is doing in others by our lack of control and guidance by God’s Spirit according to His word if we do not consider well our gifts and calling before teaching others and building them up in love and truth.  Simply meaning well and jumping in to speak without God’s working and leading in us will only let our words loose to harm instead of edification.  The adversary loves to set our tongues aflame to stoke the lake of fire according to our old sinful nature, but we are warned here to be vigilant in watching and praying, studying to show ourselves approved to God instead.