Word@Work James27 - James 3:5b-6
Published: Wed, 03/18/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
TONGUES FROM HELL
James 3:5b-6 Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. (NIV)
Hell is the English translation of Gehenna, a place in the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where child sacrifices were offered in the time of Jeremiah (cf Jer 7:31). In Jesus' day, it was the city rubbish tip which was perpetually alight with a fire ready to engulf the next load of garbage. Jesus Christ used it to illustrate the fate of those who reject Him, a vivid Bible picture of destruction and undying agony. James likens the tongue to a spark that starts in hell.
Corrupted human nature easily uses words to vent malice. They are like demonically inspired sparks which ignite fires to destroy relationships, pervert justice and break down trust: these fires of envy and hate have an appetite to consume whatever is standing in their way. And that is just what Satan intends. His objective is to wreck God's world and His people - preventing them from enjoying what is good and seducing them to invest in evil. But, most of the time, the inflamed and virulent human tongue does his work for him!
Each day at work will have a variety of outcomes. Hopefully, you will be paid! You will be able to meet the needs of others through the goods or services you sell. You work should also increase the profitability of the company and the country. New products and mutual networks can be developed, and you should be able to enjoy your work too. But there is another set of outcomes that may be more critical - relationships. The way that you talk will affect all who hear. Their course of life, and eternity may be shaped by what they hear you say at work.
Prayer: Lord God. Please help me to realise how far my words may go and what a huge effect they may have on the lives of others, as well as myself. Teach me to treat words as preciously as gold, never to waste any nor to use them to vent my anger or to destroy others. May my words be known for being pure, kind and honest - so that those who are seeking truth may hear them as a signal that I love You. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Hell is the English translation of Gehenna, a place in the Valley of Hinnom, south of Jerusalem, where child sacrifices were offered in the time of Jeremiah (cf Jer 7:31). In Jesus' day, it was the city rubbish tip which was perpetually alight with a fire ready to engulf the next load of garbage. Jesus Christ used it to illustrate the fate of those who reject Him, a vivid Bible picture of destruction and undying agony. James likens the tongue to a spark that starts in hell.
Corrupted human nature easily uses words to vent malice. They are like demonically inspired sparks which ignite fires to destroy relationships, pervert justice and break down trust: these fires of envy and hate have an appetite to consume whatever is standing in their way. And that is just what Satan intends. His objective is to wreck God's world and His people - preventing them from enjoying what is good and seducing them to invest in evil. But, most of the time, the inflamed and virulent human tongue does his work for him!
Each day at work will have a variety of outcomes. Hopefully, you will be paid! You will be able to meet the needs of others through the goods or services you sell. You work should also increase the profitability of the company and the country. New products and mutual networks can be developed, and you should be able to enjoy your work too. But there is another set of outcomes that may be more critical - relationships. The way that you talk will affect all who hear. Their course of life, and eternity may be shaped by what they hear you say at work.
Prayer: Lord God. Please help me to realise how far my words may go and what a huge effect they may have on the lives of others, as well as myself. Teach me to treat words as preciously as gold, never to waste any nor to use them to vent my anger or to destroy others. May my words be known for being pure, kind and honest - so that those who are seeking truth may hear them as a signal that I love You. For Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.
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Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk