Wednesday: Damage Control
We’ve all experienced it. Something we said gets magnified, perhaps even exaggerated, to the point that we don’t even recognize it anymore. As James says, See how great a forest a little fire kindles
(James 3:5, NKJV).
James 3:5-6
Wildfire in California from Wikimedia Commons
Read prayerfully and carefully James 3:6. What is he saying about the power of our tongue, of our words, to defile
everything about us? Why should this verse make us tremble before we speak?
While fire, when used symbolically, can signify cleansing (Isa. 4:4, Zech. 13:9), it more frequently refers to destruction (see, for example, Josh. 6:24; Josh. 11:9, Josh. 11:11; 1 Sam. 30:3; Matt. 7:19), including the destructiveness of ill-advised words (Prov. 16:27, Prov. 26:21).
Not only can a large fire start from a spark, it can also ravage and destroy with amazing speed. In the same way, words can destroy friendships, marriages, and reputations. They can sink into a child’s psyche and mar his or her self-concept and future development.
Sin originated on earth with a seemingly innocent question (see Gen. 3:1). It began in heaven in a similar way. Lucifer began to insinuate doubts concerning the laws that governed heavenly beings.
-Ellen G. White,Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 37. So, it is no exaggeration to say that the tongue is set on fire by hell
(James 3:6, NKJV).
While it is true that words once spoken are gone forever and that we cannot fully undo what we have said, we should do all we can to lessen the damage and correct what we can. Taking steps to make things right will also help us not to repeat the same mistake. For example, after a further revelation from God, Nathan the prophet returned to David immediately to correct something he had said (see 2 Sam. 7:1-17). Peter wept bitterly over his denial of Christ and later demonstrated more openly the genuineness of his repentance (John 21:15-17).
Though no man can tame the tongue
(James 3:8, NKJV), we are admonished to keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies
(Ps. 34:13, NIV). Only the Spirit of God can help us keep our words in check (see Eph. 4:29-32).
Read James 3:6-8. Why should the thoughts in these verses make us be so careful with what we say? How can we learn to appreciate the power for good, or evil, contained in our mouths?
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I have taken to heart these lessons on how we talk to one another. What I am struggling with is what is the Biblical instruction and/or example on how to discipline staff members in the work place?
My current experience of bosses is that when things don't go as they want they raise their voice and demand compliance with their wishes, they don't bother about finding out whether there is any mitigating circumstances.
In Eph 4:32 Paul gives us an good example of how to deal with others, but in a workplace must we forgive staff members for not doing their jobs properly or who are stealing time, items or money?
In the whole of Mathew 23 we see Jesus' harsh condemnation of the Pharisees & scribes for leading the people astray, was this what James meant in Jam 3:1?
But was it necessary for Jesus to call them names? He called them fools, blind, serpents. Should we be talking to others who lead people astray in the same way?
I don't think so because Jesus had divine knowledge and authority.
Eph 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.
Mat 23:33 Serpents! Offspring of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?
We live in a time when 'verbal abuse' is a common reason for the breakup of marriages and relationships and it is also the cause of shattered lives. Children are like beautiful but fragile crystal glass. Words can destroy that beautiful little life forever ike the pieces of broken crystal that can never be glued together to make the same clear crystal glass again. However, there is One who can gather up every broken piece and "glue' it together with His Love to make something even more valuable. All it takes is giving ALL the pieces to Him. How often we have looked at a stain glass window and marvelled at the craftmanship. Little pieces of glass put together to make something of beauty. Jesus can do the same with a life that has been shattered by hurtful words . . just give Him the pieces.
Wonderful illustration, Maureen. What encouraging words for those who find themselves suffering from hurtful words!
If you don't have anything good to say don't say it, my father taught me.
He also taught me to trust in the Lord and love Him while being doers of the word. Restraint, pray for restraint of the tongue. Christ will help you have a positive mind which makes it much easier to bridle the tongue. We must make people we live with feel welcome, important, and loved. Make people gald they walked through our church doors, not sad by what we say or neglect to say. A 1880 English lady once said, " just a genuine simle is a tesimony of God's love".
But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8.
Lord ,You are the Potter and I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, have Thine own way
Lord, I need Your Spirit, Lord, I need Your grace;
help me to run this Christian race.
Lord, I give my life, I give my all to You,
to be a willing vessel, to use me through and through.
Let's allow the holy spirit to control different sectors of our lives!
What our tongue produces has eternal implications, for it reveals what is in our heart. Jesus said that “the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him” (Matthew 12:35). Isaiah places words on par with actions for displaying a sinful heart (Isaiah 59:2-3). “Men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36). In and of ourselves, we are utterly unable to “tame the tongue” because “it is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:8). A tongue under control is a mark of the Spirit’s power. Apart from accepting Jesus’ atonement on the cross, we will be judged according to our words: “For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:37).
The bible says from the abundance of the heart so the mouth speaks, it is the mind, the heart that we need to pray for; that God may cleanse our thoughts ,give us good, loving, forgiving and spirit-filled thoughts so that whatever comes out of our mouths will be a blessing to others and be embroiled by his spirit all the time, may God help us, Amen.
Its all in the thoughts, KJV Philippians 4 : 8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Please God help us
,
So in every speech, talk to others as you would want them talk to you, for this sums up the Law of good communication