Fire Danger Today: High
By: Bailey Maycumber, Wiesbaden, Germany
What can cause a forest fire? All it takes is a neglected cinder from a campfire to set a whole wilderness ablaze. Did you know that 85% of wildland fires in the United States could have been prevented? All it takes is some extra effort on our part to make sure flames are well and truly drenched to prevent destruction. The same can be said about the words we speak. No matter how small or insignificant we may think our words are, they are as dangerous as that neglected cinder. After a forest fire has been set in motion, it can take countless man hours and work to put out. It can even cost lives to put the fire to sleep. After a forest fire is extinguished, what remains? Charred earth, destruction, and ruins. Much of what is left after a forest fire can not be healed for months or even years.
The same can be said about the power of our words. We have all been in a conversation that has left us empty, broken, and wanting nothing more than to take back what was said - by us or by the other person. These situations will need plenty of man hours and work to remedy what was voiced. Sometimes those efforts are not enough; the words have cut too deeply. We can prevent these events from ever happening with continued study and thoughtfulness in the Lord.
Proverbs 13:3 says, “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.”
James 3:5-8 states, “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
What we say needs our constant concentration; we must have a thought for who we are speaking to and a consideration for what they may be going through. How is your audience going to react to what you are telling them? Are you considering them as a soul or potential soul in God’s kingdom? What you say means something, no matter who you are, no matter to whom you are speaking.
A thought for our state of mind when wielding our tongue is necessary at all times. As was stated in James, no human being can tame the tongue; therefore we need to proceed with caution when we are unsettled. This can be difficult when we are feeling attacked and hurt, but we must grip tightly to the arrows we wish to lash out with - not letting them fly in an outburst - so that we may preserve life and prevent unfortunate consequences. Proverbs 12:18 states, “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”
We want to preserve life. We’ve all felt attacked at one point or another - unfairly targeted by another. Once when I was in that situation, I was told, “Their reaction is not a reflection of you.” This kind reassurance has been a constant reminder when dealing with unkind words hurled towards me; I try to remember to turn and ask, “What is this person going through that they feel so vulnerable that they need to say these things to protect themselves?” What can I say or not say to assist them to feel secure within themselves? Pray to God in those moments that He might help guide and strengthen you so that you can glorify Him through your words and actions. Proverbs 18 reminds us over and over that failing to control our tongues makes us fools:
“A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion (2)
“A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul” (6-7).
“Before destruction a man’s heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. If one gives answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame” (12-13).
Sometimes the best way to guard our mouth is by staying silent and using our listening skills. When I first met my husband, he was very quiet, but when he spoke people listened. He always had an amazing skill to say exactly what needed to be heard by those around him, and it was full of meaning and understanding of the situation. This attribute about him is what drew me to want to get to know him more. I wondered how he was so wisely able to know when to speak and when not to.
When we are around someone who talks to hear themselves, they are the only ones listening, but when someone who rarely speaks says something, it usually causes all the ears around to perk up and listen. Why is this? Again, Proverbs provides an answer: “Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise” (17:27-28).
When you speak, understand that every word you utter is being judged. In Matthew 12:36-37, Jesus Himself tells the multitudes around Him, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” This verse can very obviously be applied to words we speak out loud, but it should also be applied to our words spoken in secret, as whispers, and online.
Seeing the critical need to control our tongues, how will you “guard your mouth”? We must make sure we drench the cinders of our wayward tongues with water so that no chaos can come from them. Then we follow up with continued safety by using constant control over the untamable tongue. We must be thoughtful in who we are speaking to and what our intentions are. We are called to humble ourselves and be considerate of our setting before speaking. Is speaking necessary for the situation or does simply listening speak more loudly? Let us preserve life rather than cause chaos, destruction, and ultimately ruin.