PUT OUT THE FIRES

         Although some of us seem to have a perpetual match in our hand when, at the sound of someone’s dream or need, we can seldom stop ourselves from igniting their fire for good or for bad.
         We are not to ignore the fact that someone has done them wrong because we’ve learned that it is wrong to call evil good and good evil. We must not make light of another person’s pain.
         Yet, we need to get away from the habit of putting one person down in order to lift another. I see this as stepping on one brother or sister in order to lift another. We are using comparisons to help our friend and God says that He is no respecter of persons.

DESTRUCTIVE FIRES

         James 3 speaks of the dangers of the tongue. Verse 5 says, “…Behold (look, see, consider) how great a matter a little fire (word) kindleth.”
         Verse 6 says that “The tongue is a Fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members (of the Body of Christ), that it defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature: and is set on fire of hell.” (by Satan in verse 15). 
         This whole chapter is productive in understanding the path one negative word can set to destroy the peace of many.
         All children of God long for the fruits of the Spirit: long to walk in them consistently with others. (Galatians 5:22-23). 

LOVE  is the willing, sacrificial giving of oneself for the benefit of another Without thought of return.
JOY   Gladness of Heart.
PEACE  Tranquility of mind, freeing one from worry and fear.
LONG SUFFERING  Patience with others and self.
GENTLENESS   Kindness
GOODNESS      Generosity
FAITH                Dependability
MEEKNESS       Courtesy and consideration of others
TEMPERANCE  Self-control, ability to harness (at this point…the tongue).

         These fruits are not cultivated over night, but our desire to walk in them will cause us to Practice. They will help us put out many a fire. As we become more aware of small fires that have been started by other people’s tongue or by our own, we can become Fire Fighters instead of Igniters.
         Oh, how we protect ourselves from natural fires. We know how destructive they can be. We’ve been well trained about lighting a match near a combustible element. We’ve even been trained on how to put out a fire in the natural.
         What safe lives most of us live today from natural fires…that we would cause. But how safe are we from the fires ignited by Satan (James 3:15) through the use of our tongues; by words that would destroy ourselves or others? One careless word like one careless match can spread like a wild fire.

                   

         James 3:8 says, “The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”
         Notice again, our need for God, because without Him, our tongues cannot be tamed. But with Him…ALL things are possible.
         Luke 6:45b says, “…for out of the abundance of a man’s heart (for good or evil) his mouth speaketh.” So we can follow the direction of Proverbs 4:23 which says, “Keep thy heart will all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

         I have a young friend who has tried many times to become certified as an earthly Fireman…a Fire Fighter. He has all the abilities to do this. He has a great desire to Put Out Fires and Save Lives. I have admired his tenacity in taking his exams over and over. Are we willing to do the same? It takes training and Practice. And not every fire will be put out…but, by the Grace of God, we can become one who does not Start the Fire.
         When this young man visited me, I recognized that he is a Spiritual Fire Fighter. He has the wisdom to prevent fires by guarding His heart and mouth.
         I have been blessed to know many spiritual Fire Fighters and I have admired their self-control. Because of their example, I desired to be more like Christ whom I saw in them. They are called Peace-Makers. And I can assure you, there is abundant peace and joy, when a destructive fire has been put out or prevented.
         I pray that wherever you are today, that there will be a new awareness of potential dangers of destructive fires that come from Satan himself. And that we will have a Holy Delight in Putting Them Out. I pray that God will increase our awareness of the danger of Playing with Matches. This is NOT a safe game.

         The words of our mouth come from our heart and they can heal and bless, or destroy what God intended for good.
         I pray that you will search the scriptures for yourself and read the importance and power of our words. And that God grant us all the Grace to control our tongues. Practice!  Practice!  Practice!