My words hold a particular power to steer in my relationships with my children, people in my ministry groups and my spouse. It's really challenging to drill it down to specific people as anywhere we are, we are representatives of Christ so our words can steer anyone we come in contact with either in person or even online. I believe I can navigate these relationships or situations in light of James' wisdom by being quick to listen but slow to speak. This is particularly challenging for me as I am always ready to respond, and by ensuring that my words are bringing life not negativity.
Every human being alive has sparked a fire through their words, I am guilty of that. The best way to respond after igniting such a situation is to be humble and take responsibility for my words and for the situation that followed. Communicating what I feel I said to spur the situation and the way I should have reacted or spoken or perhaps the solution was that I should have not responded at all! Asking for their forgiveness and for the forgiveness of my heavenly Father.