When we camp, we gather around the fire. We cook on the fire, and we warm ourselves at the fire when the wind blows so cold. This is where we sit and talk and laugh until late at night.

Have you ever sat around a fire and watched people? As they talk, they don’t actually look at each other, but stare at the fire. Their faces look blissful, and the problems at home and work are forgotten for a moment.

Campfires tend to bring people together. It’s therapy. It opens one’s mind and provides warmth against the cold that life sometimes blows over you.

The tongue is also like a fire. It can bring life and support to freezing people. It ignites the heart, and people reach out warmly to others in the dark, cold world, bringing the warmth of the life-giving gospel.

But like a box of matches in the hands of an evildoer, the same little flame can start wildfires. That small flame can cause a big, ferocious, destructive fire.

The flame can bring life and light, warmth in the cold, and cozy times with friends. Or it can bring absolute chaos and destroy lives. It just depends on who controls it. Can I say that again? The one in control of the tongue determines whether it has a positive or negative impact on the lives of others.

It depends on who strikes the match …

⁶By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.

And as we said before, when people open their mouths, the story soon tells what is going on in their hearts. But it actually reveals more. It also tells who is the one who struck the match.

If the picture people show to the world with their tongues doesn’t look so pretty, chances are the one behind the match is the devil himself, and destruction will soon be everywhere.

We must understand the power of words. We need to understand what big-fire words can ignite and what the impact can be on the people around us.

We must also realize that we must keep our tongue under control. As soon as we don’t have control, the devil automatically shows up and fills the vacant position, and catastrophic consequences follow.

That’s why we need to take control and make sure that the fire lighting our tongue provides warmth, care and calm to the people around us.

Scripture
James 3:1-12

Reflection
Who is in control of your tongue?
Always?
Where can you bring warmth?

Prayer
Father, I know that sometimes I let go of control of my tongue, especially when things are a little chaotic and I’m tired. Please help me to keep control and sow warmth, care and calm. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.