Living HD - A Journey Through the Letter of JamesSample

I love a good braai, or a barbecue as it’s known elsewhere in the world, although I’m convinced it’s not exactly the same. Braai-ing involves lighting a fire with a match. 

Now, we live in a very windy area of our country, and many times I’m amazed at how difficult it is to light a fire! But once the fire is lit, it could potentially be very dangerous. Because of the wind, our area is also under constant threat of raging mountain fires. 

It’s the same match which lights a fire for a family meal that can set a whole mountain alight and create havoc and destruction. 

In the same way that it is crucial to handle a match responsibly, to be aware of the danger it holds, it’s crucial to be aware of the two sides of our tongue:

The tongue can build up and even nourish in our conversations, but it also holds the danger of creating havoc and destruction.

I think that’s why David asks of the Lord to set a guard over his mouth. (Psalm 141:3)

May our tongues be submitted to God and led by the Holy Spirit.

Does my tongue build people up, or break them down?