Beware of Smokey!

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!  –James 3:5

Admittedly, I love fires.  Having missed autumn in the United States for the past two years, I’m ecstatic about being able to have campfires for toasting marshmallows and hot dogs.  Fires are great if they are used in the right context.  However, people have, historically, not been particularly careful with the fires, and it necessitated the advent of Smokey to remind people of the dangers associated with them.  The same is true for us with our tongues.  When used in the proper context, our tongues are useful for building others up and for advancing God’s kingdom.  Unfortunately, they can also be used to cause great damage like a forest fire.  How many feelings have been hurt by a careless word?  How many diplomatic relations have been marred by unguarded speech?  The tongue has great potential, but we have to make sure that we use it in the proper context.