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| “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.” |
| —James 3:5b |
In the last five-and-a-half years, it seems to me that blog posts, TV and radio pundits’ analyses, and social media exchanges have become more strident and more nasty. What starts out as a thoughtful exchange sometimes seems to all-too-quickly degrade into a trading of insults and personal barbs.
Whatever the cause of this lack of common decency, it fosters division, dislike, and an ever-rising level of anger. Social media seems to play an important role in this downward trend.
Social media is a dragon who invites us to tame it, enjoy it, ride into the sky on its back. But, alas, we must be wary of its slashing tail and fiery breath.
I don’t know how Jesus would have advised His disciples had He faced this problem during His earthly life. But the half-brother of our Lord, the Apostle James, did address the prevalent Social Media device of that day when he wrote these words in James 3:3-10:
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.
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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Whenever we engage someone, whether in person, in a blog or Facebook post, or by means of some other Social Media, let’s be guided by the love of our Savior. No matter how passionate we may feel about some issue or cause, let’s be sure to guard our tongue and only speak words that will honor God.
May we always listen carefully to the Holy Spirit for His convicting nudge and respond in obedience.
