“Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit; The poison of asps is under their lips; Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” (Romans 3:13-14)

A forest fire can start by very simple means. All it takes is one small spark landing on dry timber and quickly lives are displaced or even destroyed. James reads,

“Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5)

When I was a young boy I lived in Northern California, The forest was incredible and so were the infamous “California Redwoods” Trees so massive that they were as big as round as a full size pickup is long.. One of the scariest things I remember the about living there is the massive forest fires. If you have ever witnessed a forest fire like I have, then you have probably noticed that the embers can soar to incredible heights and travel enormous distances – far greater distances than you would think.

The words that come out of our mouths also can do the same. Words of gossip and cursing travel far and wide causing destruction wherever they go, whether to the heart of a child or to the ears of an adult. Words of grace; however, build up, encourage and glorify God. Our words can hurt people; they can derail lives, ruin reputations and sidetrack the work of God. They can also glorify God and lead people to Him. The things that we say carry much farther than we may ever know and once we speak them, we cannot take them back. Speaking again of the tongue, the book of James continues,

“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.” (James 3:9-10)

“Do you speak words that build up or words that destroy? I think we are all guilty of that at times. We should however seek to glorify God with what we say.”

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, Thank You for loving me. Please give me the power to speak grace into the lives of others. By my own strength, my words are polluted. By my own strength, my words can destroy. By Your strength, my words can build and encourage. I want to glorify You in my speech. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Rob Lavallee

Scriptural Seeds Ministries 

http://www.scripturalseeds.org