I think we can all agree that burning your tongue is the absolute worst. It ruins the whole drink, the entire meal, and sometimes the entire day. Yet we never learn, do we?

I mean, really! How many sips of hot coffee or hot chocolate does it take before you finally get it? Your tongue does not like steaming hot liquid poured on top of it. In fact, it makes your tongue mad.

But that doesn’t deter you, does it? You’re tough! You have a tongue of iron! It can handle the heat!

I know this because if you’re like me when you burn your tongue, you get mad at the drink as if it was to blame. And then you pretend that you really didn’t burn yourself. I’m fine, you say, but the pain tells a different story. 

You might not know it, but just like hot coffee burns your tongue, so can your words.

The Bible says, “The tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. (James 3:5-6)

If you ever wondered how important your words are, now you know. Your tongue is a world of evil, and your comments are the gasoline.

In fact, “It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!” (James 3:8-10)

This should cause us all to take a moment and evaluate what we say. How many times have you set your life on fire with your words? If you’re like me, it’s way too many.

What you say affects your life way more than you think. Even for good. James 3:2 goes on to say, “Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” Who doesn’t want that?

If you want to know what kind of words you should say to keep your life from burning, James gives us a clue. He said, “Wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” (James 3:17-18)

Here’s my challenge to you today. Before you speak:

1. Have pure things to say, things that align with God’s word.
2. Make sure your words are pursuing peace.
3. Be gentle in your tone and demeanor.
4. Stop having to be right all the time, especially when you know you’re wrong.
5. Let people know you care by the sincerity of your words.
6. Don’t play favorites.

If you do this, you will plant seeds of peace in your life with your words, and you will receive a harvest of righteousness. It’s a win, win.

Think about it:

• How can you better say what you’re going to say?
• Are your words glorifying to God?

Verse of the Day:

“Wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17-18