James also gives the example of a small spark that can start a forest fire. Every year in America billions of dollars of damage is caused by forest fires, and they usually start just the way James says, with a small spark. The Forest Department of the US has a very vivid poster which says, "Only you can prevent forest fires."
That is also true in the spiritual realm. The tongue is like a little spark that can cause a forest fire of vast proportions, causing billions of dollars of damage. Many churches and religious groups no longer exist because one tongue set a spark that burned up the whole thing which could never be restored.
“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. 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.” James 3:5-6 [NIV]
There are many diseases of the tongue: lying, idle and careless words, excessive talking, gossip, boasting, false flattery, criticism, hastiness of speech to name but a few and I know I am guilty of some of these.
God hears our every word. Some words lead to lost friendships, divorce, violence and murder, they can have devastating repercussions. Let no one underestimate the power of words as weapons, they can be just as violent as fists and guns and bombs. But, neither let anyone underestimate the power of words to heal. A word fitly spoken can heal deep wounds, and reconcile enemies, and save souls.
We may like to think we only speak encouraging words, but let’s get honest, when no one is listening do we? Let’s give words their proper, due respect, we must afford them all the importance of physical deeds.
Dawn Milward
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