Faith In Action
“Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”
Your screen lights up in the middle of the night. You pick up your phone to see comments, likes, and shares popping up on your notification panel. It feels good, right? Comments are a major confidence booster. While this isn’t bad, it goes to show the power of people’s words. A positive comment can make your head spin, and a negative comment can make your heart sink. Words have weight.
James echoed this thought by saying that the tongue is one of the most powerful parts of your body. Yes, it’s small, but it’s also significant. James uses the analogy that the tongue is like a small spark that can set fire to a forest. Sparks can be both helpful or hurtful. In one context, they can light a campfire to give you warmth and s’mores. On the other hand, a little spark can lead to a rapidly spreading wildfire.
Knowing this, how do we ensure the words we share are positive sparks? We must let God guide our words. You are one person with one perspective. God is all-knowing and wise. We must look to God and make Him our focus. If the Spirit of God guides your words, then your conversations will be more constructive.
The best way to nurture this way of speaking is through prayer and diligent study of the Bible. You can’t get to know someone if you don’t spend time with them. Let spending time with God be your focus. Start small by committing to a devotional every day or a few minutes of prayer time before you go to bed at night. By committing to these small steps over time, you will see a change in your conversations with others. Your positive sparks will fly and become contagious!
Your life radically changes when you filter your words through God’s Word.
Reflection: What are some practical ways you can use your words constructively this week? Who can you encourage? Write down their name, then reach out to them.