Please make sure to read and comply with our Copyright Statement if you plan on using these devotionals for any type of publication (including websites).

TONGUES OF FIRE

So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life. It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself. – James 3:5-6 (NLT)

            The power of the tongue is absolutely incredible. It has the power to build up and tear down, the ability to encourage or belittle, the opportunity to make friends or enemies, the choice to praise God or curse Him, and the strength to make us succeed or fail. It is in the spoken word that we demonstrate what kind of people we really are.

            This is something that most of us do not learn early enough in our walk with the Lord. Often we speak before we think, and once the words have departed our lips it is impossible to retrieve them. It is only through constant discipline that we learn to control our tongue in a way that is pleasing to the Lord. When we commit our life to Him, we commit all of our life to Him, tongue included.

            Some helpful questions to ask ourselves before speaking are these: 1) Will saying this bring glory to God? 2) Would I say this if I were speaking directly to God? 3) Will these words edify the person I am speaking to? 4) Would I want someone to say these same words to or about me?

PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, extinguish the fire my tongue is capable of spreading. May my words bring glory to Your name.