Fire Wood or Fire Extinguisher?

“A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire.” (James 3:5 MESSAGE)

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”  (Prov 26:20 KJVS)

Watch the words that come out of your mouth!  Your words can keep heaping wood on a fire until a "forest fire" is ablazing and destruction is everywhere in your relationship, or your words can be like a fire extinguisher that puts out flames.

It is so important that you do not voice your grievances concerning your spouse to people throughout the day.  First of all the more you hear it, the more you are adding wood to the fire that is already starting.  Secondly, the other person, once you work things through with your spouse, will still be thinking of the offense they did toward you.  Instead, extinguish the fire by covering a multitude of transgressions:  “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].”  (1Pet 4:8 AMP)

Challenge:  Be a fire extinguisher with your words instead of piling wood on a fire!  Practice love that covers transgressions instead of exposing them!  Most importantly in situations with your spouse and family, and in situations concerning your friends and acquaintances as well!