The Department of Commerce estimates the total annualized cost of wildfires at anywhere from $71.1 billion to $347.8 billion. Wildfires leave behind acres of land destroyed where there was once life and structures had been in place for years. It is said one wildfire started because of a gender reveal party that went wrong and most start because of mundane human actions.
James starts this chapter off with, “My brethren”, then lays down some deep truth and within 10 verses finishes that truth off with, “My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” What is that truth? “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” James 3:10
Have you considered we are created in God’s image? Do you know how God created the world? By speaking it into existence. There is great power in our tongues.
I wonder what would happen if the next time we started to say something about someone we stopped and prayed for them instead? There is a record in the Old Testament about Balaam. He is hired to curse God’s people but every time he speaks blessing comes and not cursing (Numbers 22). What if the next time we were about to speak poorly about someone instead we spoke in an encouraging way instead?
James says, “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5). Let’s not cause any more forest fires that leave behind utter destruction and death. Let life and encouragement be what is produced out of our words towards others and about others. You hold a tremendous amount of power, what will you do with it?
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.