THE TONGUE IS A FIRE!
“The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6, NIV)
(photo credit – believinggodtoday.com)
Throughout the Bible, the authors talk about the destruction caused by our tongues. Just by the way we speak to someone can completely destroy a relationship and turn a friend into an enemy or a client into a former client. We often use out tongues to talk behind another person’s back, to tear them down or to spread rumors about them. When we are upset, we sometimes use our tongues to curse the situation or to curse God for allowing bad things to happen to our loved ones or us.
James is absolutely right! When we talk down to others, when we gossip and spread rumors, and when we curse God or an unpleasant situation, our whole body is affected. Our blood pressure rises, we can’t think straight, we develop ulcers, and we become tense and defensive. Our life feels like it is on fire. The only winner in this situation is Satan. He has brought us one step closer to the fire of hell.
Our workplaces are filled with all types of people. It’s easy to get caught up in situations that are unhealthy and destructive. As Christians, we need to stay vigilant. It’s important that we study the Word of God so that we understand how to deal with Satan when he tempts us to use our tongues for evil purposes. We need to be leaders in the workplace and use our voices to build people up, not to tear them down.
As with most decisions in life, the way we speak to people is a choice! There are going to be many times when that choice is going to be extremely difficult, but you have the power of the Holy Spirit living within you. You have the power to control your tongue no matter what you are feeling inside!
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NIV)
(photo credit – dailygrace.blogspot.com)
Enjoy your day, “Working for Christ”!
Related Articles:
- Lesson 3.4 – Taming the Tongue and Envy (freespiritbaby.wordpress.com)
- We Are All Too Silent (2): Tongues on Fire (follow4biblestudy.com)
- If You Can’t Say Something Nice Say Nothing At All! (promisebook.net)
- Anger … a lesson to self (believinginchristjesus.wordpress.com)
- New Year’s Resolve: Day 2! (1singlefocus.wordpress.com)
- Big mouth, big trouble, big consequences (inspirationalchristiansfortoday.com)
- I Am a Soldier in an Unseen War With an Unseen Enemy (part 3) (coyfeetalksitup.wordpress.com)
- If You Can’t Say Something Nice, Say Nothing At All! (vineoflife.net)
Tags: Bible, Christ, Christian, Daily Devotions for the Workplace, god, HolySpirit, inspiration, James, Satan, spirituality, theology, word of god, work
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January 12, 2013 at 8:49 am
What a lesson this is!!!! I may re-blog this for Sunday’s Morning Story and Dilbert? Is that OK with you? I just re-read it this morning with a good cup of coffee and it’s touching my heart……. Take Care my Friend and God Bless
I Pray all is well with you and your Family! Kenny T
January 12, 2013 at 10:15 am
Thanks, Kenny T! Of course you can re-blog it … anytime!
January 12, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Taming of the tongue…….hard lesson sometimes when we think we are doing good and we are only meddling. Great post! Looking in the mirror is hard to do sometimes and see what we need to correct
! Take care!!! 
January 13, 2013 at 12:22 am
Reblogged this on Morning Story and Dilbert.
January 13, 2013 at 1:11 am
God is always there for us. In order for us to follow God, it takes more than studying the Word. Discernment, reflection, contemplation, prayers are just a few to understand the working of the Holy Spirits. Awareness, be aware of your thoughts. For your thoughts will come out through your speech. Good thoughts, good speech, Bad thoughts, bad speech, too late. Can’t take that back. God Bless.
January 13, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Thanks for the comment, Seeker! I couldn’t agree with you more!
January 13, 2013 at 2:28 am
What a blessing this is.
January 13, 2013 at 8:32 pm
Thanks for your comment, Emily!
January 13, 2013 at 3:12 am
This is a great reminder. I think we all inherently understand this but sometimes find it to be one of those things that’s easier said than done. Our words are so very powerful both in a negative way but they can also be used in such positive ways. Great article!
January 13, 2013 at 8:32 pm
I appreciate your comment, Coffediva! Thanks for stopping by!
January 13, 2013 at 3:18 am
It;s true that so we can so easliy fall into the trap of using our tongue for distruction. I know that I myself sometimes criticise or say something about a person that has done something to irritate me.
As James so wisely states: He who tames the tongue is a perfect man.
It is a daily, conscious awareness on our part to stop our mouths. We have the negative thought first, it is only after that initail stage that we decide whether to verbalise the thought. Once we “speak our mind” it’s out there forever. We can’t take it back.
Maybe we need to make a new step toward perfection and make the decision that “Today, i am truly going to think before I speak. And then only speak that which is edifiying and uplifitng to the hearer.”
Blessings to you all
January 13, 2013 at 8:34 pm
I’m with you, Briantu! I wish I could learn to LISTEN! I’m always way to eager to get my two cents worth in!
January 13, 2013 at 9:50 am
Very true! It’s a daily challenge.
January 13, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Thanks, Colouryourdream! I struggle with this more than in any other area of my life!
January 13, 2013 at 12:32 pm
hysterical photo, LOL!
January 13, 2013 at 8:35 pm
I thought it was kind of funny, too!
January 13, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Thanks for the uplifting message!
It’s so easy to forget oneself, and say junk that ought not be said.
January 13, 2013 at 8:36 pm
I do it all the time! Thanks for your comment!
January 14, 2013 at 12:23 pm
Thought you might enjoy my post from yesterday, it ties in
http://gleaningthenuggets.com/2013/01/13/weekly-photo-challenge-fire-illumination/