Oh yes, it is true; a small spark can cause a wildfire. I remember a time I heard a complaint about how some of our members had been perceived to be dressing immodestly….
I got to church the Sunday after and reacted to the way a lovely sister of mine was dressed. As soon as I saw her that day, I thought in my heart ‘this is why that person was complaining about our dressing’. And as the pastor, I must do something about it and NOW! And without thinking further, I just made a remark right there. Obviously, I had taken the comments personally.
And boy did I kill her spirit that day.
My reaction obviously was to protect my reputation and my church’s. Funny right? The fighting-for-Jesus-syndrome.
This was a wildfire that my words caused. It wasn’t easy afterward because the lady felt really discouraged and disconnected. That wasn’t my intention but it exposed some other things in my heart like; I could help build a reputation for Jesus and His church and that her dressing was an issue. This is one experience that God used to teach me so many lessons.
One of the lessons I got from it was that I can not protect Gods reputation, at least not by killing other people’s desires to joyfully serve God in the moment. Another lesson I learned from it was to give everyone a benefit of doubt, do not assume I know but to listen first to know why they do what they do.
James 3:5-6 CEB
“In the same way, even though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts wildly. Think about this: A small flame can set a whole forest on fire. The tongue is a small flame of fire, a world of evil at work in us. It contaminates our entire lives. Because of it, the circle of life is set on fire. The tongue itself is set on fire by the flames of hell.”
I don’t know what the other people affected learned from the experience but I learned to think a bit clearer before addressing issues, especially major ones.
This incidence happened at least 5 years ago. I recently reminded the lady affected about the issue and she didn’t naturally remember the incidence.
Oh, I remember it like it happened yesterday.
But I thank God that He used it to open my eyes to know I am not in charge. He is and I must consult with him every moment.
So help me God.
Lord help me to listen to you before any comment.
“The righteous heart reflects before answering, but the wicked mouth blurts out evil.
Bright eyes give joy to the heart; good news strengthens the bones.”
Proverbs 15:28, 30 CEB
What do you think? How easy is it to reflect before speaking?
Pls, leave a comment below.
Most times l speak before I think. I pray the Lord will help to remember to reflect on my words before I speak.
Thanks, Nkechi.
I am glad that we are doing this together. God moves me to repent and then I grow. It’s the ways it’s been for me and still is.
We definitely need God.
It’s interesting how fast the tongue speaks out of the shallow thoughts in the heart….. a few moments later, the words would have been different. Quick to listen, quick to hear and slow to speak!
You are right, Rhoda.
I believe this challenge will work even better if we trust God to renew our minds and to help us control what we think about first. I find that what slips out of my mouth was in my heart first.
The less said the better. Hardly would you hear people say “I regret I didn’t say it”.
Very true Tunde,
Thanks!
Happens to everyone. I felt someone was nonchalant about a meeting. my bad! found out she was ill. I asked the Lord for mercy soon as I realized I had judged her hastily. how we need His mercies.
Thanks, Olufunlola,
How we need His mercies every hour…
Sometimes it is many months after you said something that hurt somebody, that you realize it was hurtful. Maybe because that person’s behavior towards you has changed! Or later in the evening when you reflect on your day that you realize you’ve said things that weren’t necessary! This “innocence” is even more dangerous! I am grateful you shared and invited me to participate into this. I cannot wait to see the results of it into my life and the life of those I encounter everyday!
I am so glad we are doing this together as well Marie-Heureuse.
And very well said, the result of this challenge is not only for those of us going through; it extends to generations after.
I discovered recently that I am having a hard time thinking about what I want to say before blurting it out. I have been praying that the Lord helps me to put a guard on my tongue.
Thanks, Adekemi.
This is a prayer that we all must pray. I join you in the prayers and say Amen!
Thankfully,we learn from our mistakes
Thanks, Ed.
We do.
Really can imagine how it feels each time you remember and even how the person feels each time she remembers too.
Honestly it’s not so easy to reflect everytime I wish to speak or have to speak, there are times one feels a kind of burning sensation within and you just want to let out how or what you really feel, but have also come to learn that the more we realize the weight our speech carries (it can either distroy or solve the situation) the more we surrender to the Holy Spirit and allow him lead us before we speak. We need to determine to also listen to him first.
Very well said, my dear Oluwafeyikemi.
The Holy Spirit is indeed our helper and comforter.