Forest Fires, Sinking Vessels, and Hope

After considering yesterday's blog about a fool and his folly, I feel compelled to write about the vomit in my life that I continually return to. Not that this is my only struggle, but it is the area of my life that needs the most work; at least that is how the Spirit convicts me the most these days. But despite the continual conviction, I continue to continue on this hurtful pathway of not watching what I say. Actually it is more along the lines of talking when I know that I should just remain quiet; I watch what I say most of the time, I just ignore the Spirit when he tells me to just be quiet because my silence would do much more for the Kingdom of God, rather than my words doing much to aid the work of Satan.

And I realize that it sounds dramatic and maybe exaggerated when I say,"aid in the work of Satan", but when I really think about it, that is sadly what I am doing.

James writes much about the tongue. He writes about it being difficult to tame. He writes about big ships being steered by a small rudder just as a small amount of flesh in our mouths guiding our larger bodies. And fewer words seem more true. We may not often think of it in these terms, but the things we say are reflections of our heart.

We can rationalize it, as I do too often. We can consider ourselves to be so complex that mere words are only small mirrors of our psyche and our being, and attempt to lessen the degree of damage caused by our tongue. But these courses of action eventually end in aiding the work of Satan, rather than edifying the body of Christ.
There is no other way to consider it.

Even if we do consider what we say to be trivial and "for the most part" harmless, James has an answer. He writes that a great forest fire is started by a small spark, just as a small word can cause great damage. "The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell", James writes in chapter 3, verse 6. Pretty strong words for a little white lie or just some harmless gossip.

James continue to write in chapter three, verses thirteen through eighteen, Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Do you find any of these words to be interesting when considering the tongue? Words such as wisdom, envy, selfish ambition, heart, boast, deny, earthly, spiritual, disorder, evil practice, and the like. Do we consider all of this when we flap our gums about a lazy coworker? Or is it ok to say what we feel just as long as we don't use profanity? Is just a little gossip ok as long as it is not a lie? After all, we are repeating the facts. When we agree with others as they vent about frustrations with their spouses, coworkers, siblings, etc. are we sincerely trying to do God's work and aid a brother, or just rationalizing away our own sin? We are suppose to help those in need and if their need is to vent, shouldn't we facilitate and help them air it all out?

...most of the time I am guilty of these things. And I am not proud to admit it. But in a response to honest and direct words written by James, I feel compelled to do such. He leaves little wiggle room as he writes these Spirit inspired words about the tongue and it's evil. He says what he means and means what he says. He doesn't mention technicalities or gray areas. He doesn't even mention profanity, which is the sole guideline for how many Christians gage the wholesomeness of their speech.

But what he does mention hits me hard; because even though I may not technically use profane language ot intend to spread idle gossip, I still aid in that that is earthly, unspiritual, and of the devil. Regardless of how I rationalize it.

I am guilty of selfish ambition and empty boastfulness. Pride too often dictates my words. I cannot pass up an opportunity to be funny or make myself part of the crowd. I want people to realize the extent of my intellect and I overcompensate for my shortcomings with long words and fluffy thoughts. I joke about being grumpy to soften the reality of the bitterness and selfishness that lives in my heart. I do all of this in the name of humanity and self-preservation. With every small, empty word I set the great forest on fire with a small spark.

Like a dog to his vomit...I just can't seem to stop.

But I do find solace in this passage as well. This is not a passage to condemn or leave without hope. In the last couple of verses James writes, "But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."

That tells me that I have a choice in the matter, that the wisdom of heaven is attainable; and that it is pure and peace-loving. The verses talk of good fruit and mercy and sincerity. Good stuff! Not just fires and envy and hurt.

To begin to wrap this up, I want to point out that James does here what most Jewish teachers did, give a point and counterpoint. He makes his words real by showing the contrast in good and evil, black and white.The style he uses here places us in a position to choose how we use our tongue and how we guide the vessel that is our body. Again I write, James leaves no wiggle room, and after reading these verses it is time to decide our own pathway.

I would like to think that this is the part where I write that these words have changed my life and that these words inspire me to never return to my folly. But I know that most likely I will be found guilty of running my mouth again. But I can honestly say that I am getting better and that God is working in my life in this area. I can say that I realize that I may err again, but that I have real hope in heavenly wisdom. I can also honestly say that my heart's desire is to have purpose and to seek truth and peace.

I ask that we all pray for each other in this area. I pray that as Christians, we can stop the fires and right the vessels. I pray that together, we can all make a difference in our communities; just as we can spark a great fire with an evil word, we can spark peace and lovingkindness with a syllable of heavenly wisdom.