What Did You Say?
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Straight to the Cross
COLUMN: Fidelity
What Did You Say?
by Mike Benson
The figures are staggering:
* At least 3,300+ homes, 30 businesses, and 700
other structures were charred.
* Financial analysts estimate losses to exceed $2
billion.
* Thus far, 22 people have perished including one
fire fighter, while dozens have been injured.
* Over 100,000 people were displaced; thousands
were without electricity.
* At one time, roughly 15,600 firefighters were on
the scene trying to control the conflagration.
* More than $9 million was spent each day in fire-
fighting efforts. Services included 1,900 fire
engines, 203 water trucks, 43 air tankers and 105
helicopters.
* Some 800,000 acres of land were scorched. The
effort stretched over 180 miles in six counties.
The destructive force of these fires is difficult
to grasp. Even those who have witnessed the actual
loss of life and property find it hard to
articulate the magnitude and enormity of the
devastation. Entire forests and towns have
literally been engulfed in flames. In many
instances, little is left but glowing embers and
white ash.
Just think. A single match -- barely three-quarters
of an inch in length. A thin piece of rigid paper
with a small dab of white phosphorus on the end.
But watch what happens when that tiny entity is
ignited. Notice how that minuscule spark grows
into a flicker, and then into a yellow flare. Then
consider the ravages of those eleven fires in the
Golden State. Remember the toll in terms of human
life. Ponder the scale, if you can, of the damage
wrought on citizens across California. Then
remember...
The tongue is capable of this kind of ruin and
more! The Bible says, "...See how great a forest a
little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a
world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our
members that it defiles the whole body, and sets
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on
fire by hell" (Jas. 3:5b-6). With all of that
blackened landscape "burned" into our
consciousness by the news media, it's impossible
to miss the James' point. Despite it's relative
size, an uncontrolled tongue can wreak
unimaginable havoc in our lives.
Imagine how many relational ties have been severed
because of tactless speech (Prov. 25:20). Imagine
how many friendships have ended as the result of
gossip (Prov. 11:13; 16:28; 18: 8; 20:19; 26:22;
Eccl. 10:20; 1 Tim. 5:13). Imagine how many
marriages have been "seared" by hot-tempered and
inflammatory language (Psa. 37:8; Prov. 14:17;
27:4; 22:24-25; Eccl. 7:9). Imagine how many
congregations of God's people have split because
of lies uttered under the veil of envy (Jer. 5:1-
3; 30-31; 9:1-9; Hos. 11:12; 12:1; cf. Prov.
12:22; 16:16-19; Psm. 5:6; Micah 6:13; Eph. 4:25;
Col. 3:9-10). Imagine how many sound preachers and
elders have lost their influence due to false
rumor and slander (Ex. 20:16; Ezek. 22:9; Jas.
4:11-12; cf. Prov. 21:28; Jer. 6:28; 9:4; Ezek.
22:4; Psm. 101:5)./1 Imagine how many new converts
have been led from the faith by deceitful and
fallacious talk (Psm. 12:1-3; Rom. 16:17-18; Eph.
5:6; Gal. 6:7-10). Imagine how many young women
have sacrificed their virginity on the altar of
empty flattery (Prov. 26:28; 29:5; cf. Psa. 12:3-
5). Imagine how many once-valuable leaders in the
Kingdom have been brought low because of arrogant
boasting (Luke 18:9-14; 1 John 2:16; 1 Cor. 3:1-4;
13:4; Phil. 2:2-3; Jas. 4:13-17; Rev. 18:11, 15,
19). Imagine how many Christian teens have
invalidated their example by foolish and course
jesting (Eph. 5:4). Imagine how many tender hearts
have been crushed by mockery and ridicule (Prov.
14:31; 17:5; cf. 1 Sam. 1:7; Gen. 21:1; Job 30;
Psm. 35:21; 40:15; 2 Kgs. 2:23; Jer. 20:8; 1
Thess. 2:2).
Yes, "the tongue is a fire." Dear Christian, each
of us needs to pause and reflect on the harm our
tongue can inflict during a simple conversation./2
Our words are powerful (Prov. 18:21) -- they can
help (Prov. 12:18), or they can consume. "Where
there is no wood, the fire goes out; and where
there is no talebearer, strife ceases. As charcoal
is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a
contentious man to kindle strife" (Prov. 26:20-21;
cf. Matt. 12:34-37). "An ungodly man digs up evil,
and it is on his lips like a burning fire" (Prov.
16:27).
Let me close with an admonition from that esteemed
theologian, Smokey Bear, "Only YOU can prevent
forest fires."
"Who is the man who desires life, and loves many
days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from
evil, and your lips from speaking guile" (Psa.
34:12-13; cf. 1 Pet. 3:10).
__________
1/Ancient rabbis taught that slander is capable of
killing three people in one thrust: the slanderer,
the person who listens to and accepts such, and
the innocent victim whose reputation is
irreparably damaged in the public eye.
2/ Timothy D. Hall, "Firestarters," HEM-Lines,
Oct. 30, '03, Vol. 7, No. 17.
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