Don't Play with Matches!

Someone has observed: “How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?” [source: bulletin clipping]

If you have ever gone camping or tried to light a charcoal grill you may find it easy to relate to that concept. Unfortunately it can also be true with our words. As each match contains the potential of GREAT POWER and far reaching affect, so do our words depending upon how and where they fall.

Remember James’ warning…
“(5) 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! (6) And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” ( James 3:5-6 ESV)

Words, carelessly tossed out can create as much devastation as a burning match flicked thoughtlessly onto the ground. However, words carefully struck and placed to touch where they are intended, even if they have to be spoken more than once, can produce the result for which they are intended. Matches are nothing to play around with. We need to carefully consider our words and how they match up with the situation and individuals involved so as to produce something beneficial.

May we continually be mindful of the way in which we direct our words, never underestimating the potential POWER in them to spark GREAT things.

Have a great day BEING WISE IN WHAT OUR WORDS SPARK!
Carl

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