The Telephone Game — Gossip vs. Praise - Friday
Today’s Verse
James 3:5b-6a
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. (NLT)
The images we’ve seen of recent California wildfires are heartbreaking. At one point, over 200,000 people were under evacuation orders. Thousands of acres and structures were destroyed by the fires that burned for a month before being contained. While no official cause has been identified yet, below-average rainfall and fierce winds are understood to be contributing factors.
Although it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause of a wildfire, there’s no doubt that the tongue can be a spark that brings raging destruction when fueled by heated hearts and heads. James described some characteristics of fire that follow the same patterns as our harmful words. Words, like fire, can quickly spread. Words, like fire, can cause pain. Words, like fire, can kill. I’ve heard that for every word in Adolph Hilter’s Nazi manifesto, Mein Kampf, 125 lives were lost in World War II. Words matter.
But I’m grateful that the same tongue that tears down can also build up. Jesus said, “For whatever is in your heart determines what you say” (Matthew 12:34b). The more we surrender to Jesus, and reflect His character and nature, the more our words will be filled with life.
Everything we know about Jesus comes from the memories and writings of others. Have you ever wondered why Jesus just didn’t choose to write down for Himself everything He wanted us to know? He trusted that the hearts of His followers, surrendered to the Holy Spirit, would provide the right words to represent Him through the ages. What a responsibility we have! This is something we must get right.
REFLECTION
Reflect on Proverbs 18:21a, “The tongue can bring death or life.” Which will you choose today? Desiring more of God’s Word and yielding to the Holy Spirit will help you with that choice.
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