Years ago, many school children received a special visit each year from a certain character. An individual dressed as a bear wearing the uniform of a forest ranger spoke about the dangers of forest fires and how many such fires start with a single, small spark. This Smokey the Bear character used the slogan, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
James 3:5-6 also speaks of great fires, but instead of fires started by a spark, the fires James speaks of are started by the tongue. “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” The word “matter” in verse five comes from a Greek word that indicates a forest or grove of trees (Biblesoft’s). Just like a small spark can start a forest fire, a small word can cause a great deal of problems. The verses preceding James 3:5 describe how small things can control large things; James uses the examples of a bridle controlling a horse and a rudder managing the movements of a ship. The tongue is a small part of the body, yet it greatly influences the actions of the rest of the body. How many arguments between individuals and nations have begun with just a few words? How many more times do children, and adults, receive consequences for their words than for their actions?
It is not just great writers and public speakers that have a way with words. Every individual has a way with words that creates or divides friendships, builds others up or tears them down and helps a situation or hurts a situation. Spoken or written, our way with words should reflect our relationship to Christ. Consider two areas where our words demonstrate our Christian walk.
Lies are words that do not tell the truth. The first recorded lie in the Bible is found in Genesis 3:4. “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.” Satan stated the first lie when he spoke to Eve about God’s command not to eat of the tree in the middle of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-3). In fact, John 8:44 calls Satan the father of lies. On the other hand, God is unable to lie (Titus 1:2). Who would we rather be like, Satan or God? Christians should prefer, in fact claim by their very name, to be like-Christ. John 8:32 tells us that “the truth shall make you free.” The apostle Paul instructed Christians to put away lying and instead speak the truth (Ephesians 4:25) and 1 Corinthians 13:6 reveals that the love we should have for others “rejoiceth in the truth.” Some speak of “little white lies” and “fibs” as though those types of words are not the same and are more acceptable than “real lies.” The Bible does not make such a distinction. Revelation 21:8 states that “all liars” will receive the same consequences as murders, the unbelieving and the sexually immoral.
People often use words to hurt those around them. Children and adults frequently use words to make fun of those who are different in the way they dress, the way they talk, the color of their skin, the amount of money a person has or does not have and for a number of other reasons. This way with words is the exact opposite of the teachings of the New Testament. Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32 that Christians should be kind to each other. When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, He instructed the listeners to use their words to “bless them that curse you” and to “pray for them which despitefully use you” (Matthew 5:44). Luke 6:31 records Jesus’ instructions to treat others the way we wish to be treated; this would include how we use our words when dealing with others. Words that hurt and tear others down do not reflect the meaning of Ephesians 4:29. “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Our words should edify and build others up. Philippians 4:8 instructs Christians to think on good things. If our thoughts are so focused, we will not speak the negative words that destroy the hearts of those around us.
Words are important. The way we use our words can influence the world for Christ or turn people away from Christ. Our spoken and written words should encourage others and reflect a Christ-like attitude.
Works Cited
Biblesoft’s New Exhaustive Strong’s Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. CD-ROM. Seattle: Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, 1994.
