1/6/26

November 23rd, 2016, two teenage boys playing with matches on a trail to the mountain peaks known as the Chimney Tops began what would be known as the Chimney Tops 2 fire. The fire eventually burned over 17000 acres. It caused the deaths of 14 people and destroyed 2460 structures. There were over 190 people injured and over 14,000 people were forced to evacuate. The cost of the damage was believed to be 2 billion dollars.

The deadliest and most destructive fire in the eastern United States in 69 years.

2 teenagers with a match!

How could so much damage and hurt be caused by 2 teenagers and a match?

The Bible talks of the tongue being just as deadly, it speaks of it causing just as much damage.

James 3:5-6 NASB95 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

I have read stories of entire families that have been hurt and turned from God because of a coarse word from someone who allowed the tongue to rule them.

The tongue can ruin a witness. In a matter of seconds. The tongue can deny, defy, and destroy an immature person's faith in a matter of just a few words.

I have witnessed God's bride be cut in half by one tongue.

We think there was great damage done by 2 boys and a match, but no destruction has been done to compare to that done by one tongue in the control of Satan.

No weapon has ever been built that can ruin a person's eternity like a tongue given to and controlled by the Father of lies.

We must be cautious because the tongue must be controlled and used to declare the truth of sin while also declaring the truth of redemption in Christ.

Imagine the horror that these two young men must live with, knowing the damage and hurt they caused. Well we will one day see the damage and hurt that has been deployed by the wagging of our tounge.

Speaking of the tongue, scripture continues by saying, James 3:9-10 NASB95 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Pray today that your tongue will be used for the glory of God. Ask the Holy Spirit to tame your tongue and wield it to declare sin and show the forgiveness available to Christ.

The tongue is strong and damaging to a person not anchored in the strength of Christ. However, just as it can cut in two it can also build up the same person when used for God's glory.

Love Bro. Scott