James drew a couple of parallels to emphasize the potential of the tongue. Preceding immediately before our text, he referred to bits in horses’ mouth as well as the rudder in ships. Horses are fierce and forceful, but with the bits in place they are brought under control. They can be made to slow down or go at a faster pace. They skip and jump all at the instance of a tiny piece of equipment. Similarly, great ships that are subject to great winds are stirred on course by rudders. This also is talking about control. Therefore, comparing the tongue with the bits and rudders is making an important statement – the tongue holds the control of life. A loose tongue is a life spinning out of control. It is a free fall!
The primary way people express anger is by speaking, mostly unguarded words. A city without walls is without protection; it is open to attacks. This is the lot of those who speak volubly.
With this, Proverbs 25:28 makes perfect sense. “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” Someone without rule over his spirit is one who is given to quick temper. The primary way people express anger is by speaking, mostly unguarded words. A city without walls is without protection; it is open to attacks. This is the lot of those who speak volubly. James goes on to show another danger associated with an untamed tongue. This also comes across to us by way of another parallel. A coal of fire or a stick of match can burn down an entire city or a forest. Similarly, the tongue, though little compared to other parts of the body, can consume a life. We may not have the full statistics, but it is safe to say that many lives and homes have taken a fall because of the unguarded tongue. Hell is said to be its motivation, so we need the forces of heaven to come to our rescue.