A Flame of Fire

Have you ever been doing things to the best of your ability and really working your tail off for the greater good of the cause and then someone somewhere comes and makes some off the cuff comment that totally deflates your bubble? I know I have been victim of this many times and most recently in our own new start church as well, but I also know that I have, without thinking, been one to comment off the cuff. One of the best logistics men I have ever had the privilege to work with had worked very hard to set up for a rather huge event being held at the church I used to associate pastor at. Butchie had set up the game tables and his sister Lizzy had cleaned the carpets and his friend Matt had been helpful in the accomplishment as well. It really looked great, and since we had a little lighting deficiency Matt and Butchie had taken the initiative to put auxilary lighting in to help. Of course I come in and the first thing I say is we can't use this auxilary lighting because it looks bad. HOW DUMB! These guys had just spent hours getting things ready and boom I not only deflated their bubble, but I blew it up. I felt the discord immediately and tried to back pedal but it was too late. Then later of all things, I had to request that they set the lights back up because we didn't have enough light. Of course I had to apologize to Butchie and Matt, and they graciously with a little, "I told ya so", put the lights back up for us. See James 3 tells us if we can control our tongue we can control our entire self, but that to control the tongue is a major task. I meant no harm with my opening comment but it sure didn't set right for a couple of guys that put their heart into preparations for a very successful event. People start forest fires that demolish entire sections of land with just a spark and the tongue is just like that. James calls it "a flame of fire." Fortunately for me I was checked immediately by the Spirit for what I said and fortunate for me the guys involved were gracious enough to forgive me.

James 3:7-10 People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish,
[8] but no one can tame the tongue. It is an uncontrollable evil, full of deadly poison.
[9] Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God.
[10] And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Our church has been a victim of the tongue since I shared the need for me to be obedient to God's call on my life. Some of it has come from other leaders and some from other churches, but we are encouraged to endure through this time and God will pour out a big blessing on those who stay the course. Remember, this is a form of persecution and Jesus said Blessed are those who are persecuted for my names sake.......when you are doing the work of the Lord and these comments come your way consider it a persecution in His names sake. But remember this, to worship the Lord one minute, then to make snide hurtful comments the next minute "is not right."[10] So think before you start a seriously damaging wildfire. As it does from a wildfire, damage like this tends to take a long time to recover and heal from.