It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. 
By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell.
The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
James 3:5b and 6 (The Message and New Living Translations)
My mouth has great power. My words and tone have massive power. My words reveal my heart. My words are such an accurate reflection of my heart that I could be judged by them alone.
Where do I fall on this scale?
Gentle………..x……………………………………Harsh
Positive……x……………………………………..Negative
Kind………….x……………………………………….Cruel
Build up………….x………………………….Tear down
Support…………..x……………………………….Attack
Grace-giving………………………..x…………Judgmental
Uniting……………………x……………………….Divisive
Considerate………..x……………………………..Rude
Warm……………x…………………………………..Cold
Holy………………………..x…………………………Crude
I’d like to think my words are much closer to the right side of the scale, close to where I placed my x’s, but honestly, it can depend on the day. Come to think of it, maybe I should have Kevin put my mouth on this scale. Or my children. They would probably be a better judge than I.
When I speak, do people feel as if they have been nudged into the presence of God?
Here’s the thing. I can’t do this by myself. I have tried. I have failed. I need to let God transform me. More. My tongue MUST be tamed. More.
The Bible doesn’t tell us to look at other people and grade ourselves on a curve: it tells us to look at Jesus.
I need to refuse to be conformed to the world’s standards. I need to live the life of obedience and open my life completely to God’s transformation.
Many thanks to my pastor for this sermon. I give him full credit for nearly every word of this post.