Week 32: Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires
So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire.
James 3:5
When droughts are common, any small spark can ignite a catastrophe. Once during a long Texas drought, an acquaintance of mine was hauling his farm trailer. A simple chain dragged the asphalt and sent sparks flying. The result was a dark haze over our town, and snow in the summer. I recall being in the swimming pool with my little ones and what looked like snow began falling around us. We would later find out that this was a forest fire, and the snow was fallout. It all began with a spark.
Our tongues are like that metal on the asphalt. If we are teaching in a distinctly Christian setting, the taming of our tongue is essential. We can set fires ablaze and discourage someone from the gospel if we are not careful. What can we do to tame our tongue?
First, we have to admit the tongue problem. James says, “For we all stumble in many ways…(James 3:2). How he starts this section on the tongue is where we must begin. We’ve all been there. We have all said things that started a bigger blaze than we realized. No doubt, we wished we could take some of our sparks back. The point is that our words have power. You first have to acknowledge that you have this tongue problem like everyone else. I know no one who is immune from starting forest fires. You also have to agree that this IS a problem. James says, “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so (James 3:10).
Second, we have to practice tongue self-control. James says that if we can apply the Holy Spirit’s power of self-control over our mouth, then we can essentially take care of a lot of other sins. “And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body (James 3:2).” The word perfect here can have two meanings. It can mean perfection, and it can mean maturity. I think it is the latter. No one but Jesus is perfect, but by his grace, every believer can walk in maturity. If you can apply the Spirit’s power to your tongue, then you can see sanctifying success. You cannot muster up self-control to fight this sin. The Holy Spirit has to do it through you. Let’s be honest, gossip and slander are like a juicy piece of fruit. We want to take the bite and impress our friends. We want to be the one in the know. We want to appear superior to others. We want to endear people to us. We think, “If I tell them something good, then they will like me and come to me for all their news.” Let CNN do that and let believers practice self-control.
Third, we have to realize the tongue's power. What we say has extreme potency. I tell you, I have been devastated by words. I have quit because I heard someone say something that took the wind out of my sails. I can also tell you that when I had nothing left in me, an apt word spoken at the right time was like gold (Proverbs 25:11-13). What we say can bring life or forest fires. Proverbs 18:21 puts it like this: “The power of life and death are in the tongue.” James says, “with it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God (James 3:9). Do you realize how powerful your words are?
I will never forget the day a student asked to see me in the hallway. I was about 7 years older than the senior class I taught. At times it was hard for us to know where the line was. One particular day a student was ribbing me, and I was returning some playful fire. Maybe my comebacks were too much? Maybe they were getting too close? A godly young lady asked if she could talk to me. We walked into the hallway and this dear young saint said, “Mr. Livingston, that boy has had a hard time here. He gets picked on constantly. I know you are joking with him, but please be careful. I just want to see him built up.” My heart broke. She was right. I walked back into the class and asked for that young man’s forgiveness.
That story illustrates it well, we have the power of life and death in what we say. We also have the power of life and death in how we say it. What will you say to your students that brings life?
Discussion Questions:
What are some words and phrases teachers can use to build up students?
What are triggers that lead us (teachers) to tear others down?
What tone do you use? Is your tone as edifying as your speech?
