Lava Lips
LAVA LIPS
Read James 3:3-10.
“Hi, Mom,” called Tracie as she opened the front door. “We had the best class today! We learned about volcanoes.”
“That sounds interesting,” replied Mom. “Volcanoes are a fascinating part of nature.”
Tracie nodded. “My teacher, Mr. Hoover, has a small model of a volcano. He could even make it erupt. Do you know what erupts from a real volcano?”
“Lava, hot gases, and rock fragments,” answered Tracie’s brother Jason, who had also come in from school.
Tracie frowned. “I asked Mom, not you,” she growled. Then she went on talking about the volcano. “Pressure builds up and the red hot ash blasts through the surface. Do you know where it erupts from?” she asked, looking at her mother.
Jason answered again. “From the mouth. It’s at the top of a cone-shaped mountain,” he said.
“Wrong!” declared Tracie triumphantly. “That’s what it looks like, but the actual opening is lower than the top, or mouth. It’s called a vent.” She made a face at her brother. “Shows how much you know, dummy. Next time mind your own business and don’t answer unless I ask you.”
“Tracie,” Mom scolded, “a volcano isn’t the only thing with a mouth. We have mouths too. Perhaps eruptions don’t come from the mouth of the volcano, but our mouths can erupt with hot, vicious words that hurt other people. We can’t control volcanic eruptions, but we can learn to control our tongues and our mouths.”
HOW ABOUT YOU?
Do unkind words sometimes slip out of your mouth? Remember that God made your mouth to praise and glorify Him. Words that hurt others don’t please God. Ask Him to help you control your tongue when you feel a hot, vicious eruption building up.
TO MEMORIZE:
Blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. . . . This is not right!
James 3:10
CONTROL YOUR MOUTH.
From the book
