I have always had the gift of gab. It can be a good thing if I’m speaking life and spreading encouragement, inspiring people to dig deeper into God’s Word and live by faith over fear. But at the same time, this can be a bad thing. James wrote, “The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.”
When we think of a spark that could set a great fire, we could think of revival. We can think of that teacher who inspired someone who did some grand thing in history. Maybe that one coach who inspired an all-star athlete. But the tongue is often seen as a dangerous weapon. And the small spark that sets a blaze, can set a fire that will burn everything in its path. That is why it’s compared to a forest fire. Think of all the wildfires that get out of control every year and cannot be contained.
Remember today the power of your words. Understand that someone you may say could turn into a forest fire. Be intentional with your words. Speak what is lovely, what is helpful, what is right, what is true, what is praiseworthy—speak encouragement and life into people day. Plant seeds of truth and love; don’t set a forest ablaze.
“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” – James 3:5-6 [NLT]
Tania Gutekunst 