We burn firewood to heat our home in our long, cold Minnesota winters, and something that always amazes me is how fast a fire can spread from just a tiny match. Provided that you load your stove with plenty of dry wood, the time that it takes to turn that tiny match flame into a full roaring fire is often just a minute or two.
It can happen that fast, and for this reason the forestry departments will often place fire restrictions during the driest times of the year, in an effort to try to prevent large forest fires from developing. But that sometimes isn’t enough, as just a spark from the dragging chains on your trailer, or a lit cigarette can burst even the tiniest of dry leaves into flames, and those flames if left unchecked can soon develop into a very dangerous problem.
Which is exactly the same that can happen when it comes to the tongue, and the control of our speech. Words are powerful things; with a few words wars can start or stop, friendships can be made or broken. But to truly control one’s speech is an ability that no one on Earth can achieve, without the help of the Holy Spirit.
James 3:2-12 “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.”
So many times I have read stories about people who had gotten themselves into trouble because they couldn’t keep themselves from speaking out when they should have been quiet. Or times when a person uses their speech in a injurious manner towards others in a fit of rage and anger. This use of speech does not help others, or seek to edify them, but it is used to try to hurt them or tear them down.
The tongue, if guided by the Holy Spirit, can be used to speak many great things. The tongue can be used to sing hymns and spiritual songs to the Lord as we praise Him for His many wonderful blessings. It can be used to preach God’s truth to others and used to speak many beautiful things, but this is only possible through the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit.
The Apostle Paul wrote that we need to be filled with sound speech, which means speech that is free from flaw, defect, or corruption. Instead, our speech needs to be used to edify others in love.
Titus 2:7-8 “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”
Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”
It takes the Holy Spirit to tame the tongue, as we cannot accomplish this by ourselves. Give the control of the reins of your tongue over to the Spirit and “Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt…” Colossians 4:6.
In Christ,
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 