Good morning, everybody!
Today we are faced with the picture of a fire--spread by our tongues. I got to thinking about the smoke of that fire and how people far away can see it. If we don't want our neighbors and faraway friends to hear the words we are saying in a small space, then we shouldn't say them at all, because "the words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts" (Proverbs 18:8). This is true. Words can fester in a man or woman's belly. They leave burn marks.
But this passage is talking more about great boasts. There are times when I am given a compliment and I say "thank you." But if I do not give thanks to God right then and there, I am not giving him the credit for my accomplishment. What a great opportunity to glorify HIS name. I need to see these opportunities. And "boast in the Lord," instead. Also, sometimes I boast to my husband like this: "Honey, do you appreciate what I did...blah...blah..." How embarrassing to have to tell you that and to reflect on that arrogant statement. We are to "let someone else praise [us], and not [our] own mouth; an outsider, and not [our] own lips." Proverbs 27:2
I liked Becca's post about our hearts being right. If our hearts our humble (like Jess's emphasis yesterday), then that spark for the fire will not be there. What I need is a change of heart, "for out of the overflow of the mouth, the heart speaks" (Jesus words in Matthew). It is a change of heart that I need, that my tongue would be gentle, humble, and true, and uplifting to those around me.
Frail and broken are we like the pots, but God is gentle and powerful to hold us up in one piece. He will make something beautiful out of us after all, this humble Savior...
ReplyDeleteooo, I love that beautiful phrase!