November 4, 2026 -Fire Starter
“[5] Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ”
James 3:5 NIV
I know that this verse and the ones to follow talk about how the tongue can be difficult to tame and will spread destruction like a fire, but the last few days I have had a good kind of fire spreading from the tongue. I have over the last couple of days experienced such good kind and encouraging words from multiple people. People I barely know and those who I know well. God has spoken a word to me through a visitor to our church that filled me with a fire of passion to press on and continue the work that God has called me to. Then He confirmed it through the words of various church members which has helped to keep my heart and mind open and sensitive to His prompting. That prompting caused me to use my tongue to check on someone who it turns out really needed to be checked on. Then today He has used that prompting and His Spirit to guide me to use my tongue to start a fire in the hearts of others. I trust that this fire will burn in love and concern to meet the needs of others. Because we also read yesterday that faith without action is dead. We can use our tongue to pray for and speak blessings to those who are in need but if we are not willing to act and physically show the love of Christ it is useless. So not only can we cut people down with our tongue with evil words, even when we use it for things that are good like prayer, encouragement and blessings, if there is no action associated with it as God provides then the good of it is useless.
What kind of fire will your tongue start. A forest fire that will steal kill and destroy or a Holy Spirit fire that will spur one another on to love and good deeds?
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