Gasoline

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" James 3:5

Its funny how things that happen to us come back to teach us something weeks later.

I was filling up my car with gas several weeks ago, I thought the nozzle was securely in my tank when I squeezed the handle. NOT... gas escaped through that tiny opening, and strategically ran from the top of my t-shirt to the top of my pants. I panicked that my cell phone might ring and light my fire! That wasn't the type of flame I was hoping God would fan in my life!

I scrubbed and scrubbed in the shower but the stench of gas remained in my nostrils.

My lips are like that little valve. It is such a small opening, yet the fuel that escapes can be unpleasant, caustic and even deadly. Loose lips have snapped at my family. Harsh tones have left friends feeling poisoned. Careless words have killed the spirit in a vulnerable person. Words sometimes not even spoken, but in a digital form have discouraged and caused pain.

James tells us that our tongue is like a restless evil full of deadly poison. Ouch! I didn't want to spill that gas; I wanted to use it for good. God doesn't want our mouths to open unless they are going to encourage and spur one another on.

Several years ago I made a very small, but very life-changing decision. When a hurtful thought comes into my head, I tighten my lips and force a pause button to appear in my brain. When I allow myself to have just a second to think about the potential hazard that could come from 'speaking my mind' it gives the Holy Spirit time to check my heart and motives. In that pause moment I say, "Lord, take control of this tongue." And He does.

I felt hurt in a way this past weekend like I never have. Everything inside of me SCREAMED to pick up the phone and tell this person EXACTLY what I thought. But in the midst of hurt... sometimes we say things to cause hurt in return. In that case... I would be no different than the one who hurt me. I have to handle this hurt with a different attitude because Christ has made me different. What good could spewing hurtful things back at this person bring? Does that give me an opportunity to heal a broken relationship, no. Even with hurt feelings, I have to be the Christian that God would have me to be and not respond the way I want to.

Do I get it right every time? No. But I can see fewer wrecks in my life, fewer wounds, fewer poison-tipped darts flying out of this mouth. And I no longer reek of gasoline I added to the fire.


Father God, thank You for reminding me that my tongue can rip a heart apart, or seal it back together. Teach me to pause long enough to give Your Spirit time to work in and through me.