We have all seen the devastation caused by wildfires that are out of control in the western part of the country. Those fires that cover thousands of acres are usually not caused by a huge flame or by lightning. They are often caused by a small spark that quickly and easily gets out of control.

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.

How great a forest is set blaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. James 3:5

So often we say words in the heat of a moment or argument. We say something hurtful without thought about how they might affect the person we are talking to. A spark starts a forest fire. A word spoken corrupts the whole person.

Often, it is not what we say, but how we say it that is so hurtful to the person.

We’ve all been there. We’ve said things in a smart tone when that wasn’t our intention. It may be because we are under a lot of stress, having a bad day, or just in a bad mood for some reason. Sometimes, it is caused because of the way we were raised. You may have heard nothing but hateful tones, so to you that is normal to you, but it is not. We can’t say “Well, that’s just the way I am.”

Why can’t I tame my tongue? Because our humanity and, old ways and self get in the way. It may be a generational thing in your family, where it was a tone that has been heard in your family for some time but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way.

Paul said something about this in Galatians 5:22:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (emphasis mine).

If your tongue and old self is getting in the way, pray that God will help you tame it. Ask Him to show you when you hurt others, even unknowingly, or unintentionally, and then ask Him to change who you are.

From ministry friend Pam Rehbein