“Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!” How often have we seen the reflection in the sky of a terrible fire, and the next day found out that stores, and houses were burned to the ground. That fire might have been kindled by the striking of a match. In walking along the country road we see the black ashes of what the night before was a splendid farm-yard, with its hay-stacks, stables and cow-sheds, —all that sad work was done by a match.
The Indians in some part of the world, strike a spark from a flint and steel, and set fire to the dry grass, and the flames spread with such rapidity, until they sweep with a roaring torrent over prairies. Men and cattle have to flee for their lives.
“Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth, and the tongue is a fire” (Verses 5,6).
A few rash words will set a family, a neighborhood, a nation by the ears; they have often done so. Half the law-suits, and half the wars have been brought about by the tongue. Homes are made miserable; bosom friends have become bitter foes, all on account of fiery arrows shot by this powerful little member.
Which of you, dear ones, has not felt its power? Have you thought, dear children, that each of you has one of these little members fixed in your mouth? There it is all ready and waiting for orders from morning till night.
“There is not a word on my tongue, but lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether.” Psa. 139:44For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether. (Psalm 139:4). It is God’s gift to you, and He is watching to see what use you make of it. Is it busy for God, or for Satan? Is it doing harm, or is it doing good?
These are serious questions. Do not put them aside, dear ones, but answer them in God’s presence. If you are still unsaved, your tongue is being used for Satan. God says,
“The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” Jer. 17:99The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). How very black, and naughty the natural heart is in God’s sight; but in His great love and mercy for all such, He has provided a way by which all can be saved through the death and resurrection of His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Boys and girls, who come to God, through Christ, will then have grace to use their tongues for the One who loved them and gave Himself for them.
ML 12/27/1925