“FIRE!”

Me-Maw Thoughts

Number 682

May 7, 2024///

The news last night was showing the results of fires in an apartment and a house. The destruction was devastating.

Fires can keep us warm, cook our food, burn our garbage, and through candles can light our way.

But a fire also can destroy a home, a business, a forest, the sentimental items we all have, and take lives.

What is the difference? One fire is controlled and has boundaries, the other is out of control and goes where it can go and destroys all in its place.

This brought up in my mind what the Bible says about our tongue and the words we speak.

James 3:5 (KJV)

Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Our words can bring great hurt and offense or great blessings. We can kindle a fire of Love and Compassion or a fire of hurt and destruction of the self-esteem of others.

We must remember our words are powerful. God spoke the world into existence and created us in His image and we can speak encouraging words and make our world a better place.

Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)

Death and life are in the power of the tongue:

Have you ever had someone speak death to your dream, idea, or confidence, or put down who you thought you were? They spoke death!

One the other hand has someone spoken encouraging words to you, about you, your desires, your situation? They spoke life!

Matthew 12:34 (KJV 1900)

how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Jesus spoke these words as He was teaching the multitudes.

This tells us the condition of the heart controls the type of fire we start. Our words can start fires of vision that will result in someone changing the world around them, or our words and start a fire of discouragement that will destroy their future.

We have our opinions and desires, and we say things we really do not mean at the moment, and regret later, but they have started a fire of destruction.

So how do we change? I go back to the point I made earlier: it is a matter of the heart. If our heart is full of self, of anger, and of hurt, that is where our mouth will speak from. You have probably heard the saying, “Hurting people, hurt people”! But take that a little further: “Prideful people put others down thinking they are putting the other person in their place”, when indeed they are speaking words of death.

But Jesus gives us the answer!

Matthew 11:29 (KJV 1900)

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

When release our hearts to Jesus He gives is rest in our souls which allows us to speak life into others, encouragement to the discouraged, and joy to the despondent, because we have a trust in the creator God that gives us peace.

When we have no rest in our spirit and are angry or bitter or self-absorbed we project that onto others by our attitude and our words.

However, if you run into others who are walking in that type of attitude and hurt, remember they have no peace inside. Respond with the peace you have, and it can start a fire of peace within them.

Remember our words can start a fire of good, or a fire of destruction!

Psalm 19:14 would be an amazing prayer to pray each day. This will allow the creator God to control our mouths and our mind.

Psalm 19:14 (KJV)

  Let the words of my mouth,

 And the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight,

 O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

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Father, our words have such power! Power for good and bad can come forth from us and unless our hearts are set on you and understand your love for us, we can destroy with our tongues. I ask you to place in each person’s heart that reads this to pray Psalm 19:14 each day, several times and day. You will help us to start productive fires with our words, not destroy with them. Amen!

Love, MeMaw!