Don’t Start That Fire!
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him…..Blessed [is] the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed…. Even so, the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 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.” – Jam 1:2-5, 12-14, 3:5-6 NKJV
Every time I read the book of James, I think of the forest fires shown on the news. Fires can destroy miles and miles of forest in a manner of a few hours. The onset of the fire could be as minute as a cigarette that was not put out, or a small campfire that was not properly extinguished. A fire kindled under control produces light smoke; however, when a fire is uncontrolled, consuming everything around it, there is thick, black smoke. It would seem that James used this illustration to describe the use of our tongue for a reason.
I believe when a believer is in the midst of situations, or trials of life, he has two choices, both causing perpetual reactions. The first is, as James instructed, to consider joy in the midst of the trial. Or in other words, choose to focus on seeing the truth of God’s purpose. God in His limitless understanding gave tools to accomplish this goal to all who would receive them. Asking God for His wisdom in the midst of a trial helps the believer maintain focus. The result of this decision is victory and the byproduct is patience, maturity, and prosperity. The second option is, to be drawn away by one’s own lust, get enticed, and let one’s tongue kindle a fire. Instead of receiving the wisdom of God, the decision would cause one to self-absorb, or implode, into the situation or trial at hand. The more focus on the situation, the bigger the situation becomes. The result of this decision is doubt, sin, and death, or for our analogy, thick black smoke.
This does not mean ignoring your circumstances or pretend they do not exist. Instead, it means to seek God for wisdom in everything. Or seek the answer to the problem from the Spirit of God Who can refresh you, revive you, and cool the situation in your life. Ask. Seek. Knock. And while you are knocking instead of worrying and give attention to the problem, remember what David said,
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Psalms 19:14
