Fire!

Bible Reading: James 3:3-10

Meg watched in horror as fire swept through the wheat field. “We’ve lost the crop, haven’t we, Mom?” she asked in a shaky voice.

Mom nodded. “I’m afraid so. The firefighters believe the fire started in a vacant field. They think some kids were playing with matches. One little match used carelessly can certainly cause a lot of damage.”

“I’m just thankful we were able to keep the fire from spreading any more than it did—to other fields or to the buildings,” Dad said.

Meg clenched her fists. “I hope the police find out who started it and punish them.”

That evening, as Meg’s family discussed the events of the day, her phone rang. It was her friend Hadley, and after Meg told her about the fire, the girls talked about a new girl in their class at school.

When Meg hung up, Mom looked at her thoughtfully. “The fire this afternoon was pretty destructive,” said Mom, “but I’m afraid you may have started—or added to—a fire that could become even worse.”

“What?” Meg was shocked. “What fire?”

“I heard you tell Hadley that a new girl at school cheated on a test,” Mom replied.

“Well, she must have cheated to get such a good grade on our history test,” Meg said. “Other kids said so too.”

“You said very unkind things about a girl you don’t even know. And you’re not at all sure she cheated, are you?”

“Well, no,” Meg said. “I guess not.”

Mom nodded. “The book of James says our tongues are like a fire, Meg. Rumors spread quickly and can ruin reputations. Think of the damage your careless words can do. That’s not how we show Jesus’s love to others. He loves us so much He was willing to suffer the shame of death on a cross so we could be saved. Do you think He would spread rumors about people He died for?”

As Meg looked out the window at the charred wheat field, she remembered her anger over someone’s careless actions. Their thoughtlessness caused a lot of damage and hurt my family, she thought. I don’t want to do the same thing with my words.

“You’re right, Mom,” Meg said. “I need to call Hadley back and put this fire out.”

-Brenda Decker

How About You?

Is your tongue like a fire? Are you aware of how much damage it can do when you use it carelessly? When you say unkind things or spread gossip and rumors, your words hurt other people. That’s not how God wants us to use our words as His children. Instead, trust Him to help you speak in a way that shows others the love of Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse:
Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth…be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Don’t spread rumors