A Dangerous Fire
A Dangerous Fire
(Fire - October - 2006) We have watched in sadness as a fire has burned thousands of acres in the San Jacinto Mountains of California. The television news reports cannot possible reveal to us the awful nature of the fire that has swept across the landscape. Several firemen have died trying to control the flames. Homes have been destroyed, people displaced and fire rages on. What is the saddest thing about this fire?
Early reports from the scene tell us that an arsonist deliberately set the fire. Someone either failed to take precautions with a camp fire, a cigarette or a brush fire; or, someone just decided to burn as much property as possible.
It is hard for us to understand the reasoning of an arsonist. But what about the fires we set? Yes, we do create some dangerous fires of our own. Read what James said in James 3:5-10,
"Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so." (NKJV)
Carelessly or purposely we often set fires that burn down the reputation of others. Or, we start arguments (or continue them) that break hearts and fellowship with others. Sometimes we say things that harm our witness and can result in a lost person rejecting Christ because of our words.
Our tongues can set fires in hearts, churches, and homes. Let's put out the fire! Watch your words, for they reveal who you really are.
Matthew 12:34-37 reads,
"Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (NKJV
Dr. J. Mike Minnix
Editor
www.pastorlife.com