Fire!
FIRE!
Read James 3:5-10.
Alexis and her mother watched in horror as fire swept through the wheat field. “How did it start, Mom?” Alexis sobbed.
“We can’t be certain, Alexis,” answered Mom. “Someone driving by could have thrown out a cigarette. Or there may have been a spark from the tractor. A little spark is all it takes to start a fire.”
The wheat crop would be lost. “But I’m thankful we were able to keep the fire from spreading to buildings or other fields,” said Dad that evening.
Just then the phone rang, and Alexis answered it. It was her friend Rachel.
After Alexis hung up, Mom said, “The fire this afternoon was not nearly as harmful as the fires you just started,” she said.
“What?” Alexis was shocked. “I’ve never started a fire. What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the rumors I heard you tell Rachel,” Mom replied.
“About Erika? Well, if she didn’t cheat, how could she get such a good grade without studying?” Alexis asked.
“Alexis, you said some very unkind things about a girl you don’t even know,” scolded Mother. “You can’t be certain that any of those rumors are true, but they’ll all spread like a fire. I think you ought to have the courage to stop the fire instead of spreading it.”
“But, Mom,” Alexis protested. “I was just—”
“You were just starting a fire,” Mom finished. “I hope you’ll call Rachel and make an effort to put out the fire you helped start.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever say unkind words? Do you help spread gossip and rumors that will hurt other people? God says that a mouth that is used to bless and praise Him should not be used to hurt others. How will you use your tongue?
TO MEMORIZE:
The tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness. . . . It can set your whole life on fire.
James 3:6
DON’T SPREAD RUMORS.
From the book
