OUR DAILY BREAD : FIERY CONVERSATION

[cimi]

THURSDAY JULY 2


FIERY CONVERSATION

READ:
Colossians 4:6
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Let your speech
always be with
grace seasoned
with salt.
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Where I come from in northern Ghana, bush fires are regular occurrences in the dry season between December and March. I've witnessed many acres of farmland set ablaze when the winds carried tiny embers from fireplaces or from cigarette butts carelessly thrown by the roadside. With the dry grassland vegetation, all that is needed to start a devastating fire is a little spark.

That is how James describes the tongue, calling it "a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one's life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell" (JAMES 3:6 NIV). A false statement made here or backbiting there, a vicious remark somewhere else, and relationships are destroyed. 'The words of the reckless pierce like swords," says Proverbs 12:18, "but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (NIV). Just as fire has both destructive and useful elements, so "death and life are in the power of the tongue" (18:21).

For conversation that reflects God's presence in us and pleases Him, let it "always be with grace" (COL. 4:6). When expressing our opinions during disagreements, let's ask God to help us choose wholesome language that brings honor to him. __Lawrence Darmani

**Guide my conversation today, Lord. May the words I choose bless
and encourage others and build them up rather than tear them down.
May You be pleased with what You hear.
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Anger can make us speak our mind when we should be minding our speech.

*******************************Today's Bible Reading __ James 3:2-10****************************
2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not
stumble in word, he is a perfect man able also to bridle
the whole body.

3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may
obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships:
although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they
are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great
things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 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.

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of
the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no
man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly
poison.

9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse
men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of
the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren,
these things ought not to be so.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The book of James is often referred to as "the
Proverbs of the New Testament." The emphasis on wisdom and
behavior throughout its five brief chapters makes the comparison
understandable. James's well-known warning about the explosive
threat hiding behind our lips is sandwiched between verses about
the relationship between faith and deeds (2:14-26) and between
wisdom and deeds (3:13-18). It seems that James is suggesting that
faith and wisdom are both significantly demonstrated in our ability
to control our tongue. In other words, our speech puts our faith and
our wisdom on display for everyone to see.