Have you ever been burnt by someone’s tongue? Angry words that blistered your spirit and left scars that would not heal? James describes it this way: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (James 3:6). James goes on to point out that the tongue, like a raging wildfire, is impossible to tame. It can be totally destructive.
Scroll back to the Old Testament. Isaiah the prophet made the same confession: “I am a man of unclean lips…” (Isaiah 6:5). Here we see God fighting fire with fire. He sent an angel to touch Isaiah’s lips with a live coal—a heavenly fire that purged his lips and filled his mouth with a new message. While no man can tame the tongue, the good news is that God can! 
Is it any wonder that God took control of 120 tongues on the Day of Pentecost? And that the visual He gave was “tongues of fire” hovering over each believer? Is it any wonder that God used them to set the world on fire with the message of love and forgiveness through the crucified/resurrected Christ? Are you ready to let God set your tongue on fire with words of praise to God and hope for the world?                     
 
Next Steps...
I will ask God to control my tongue, so my words will bring glory to Him and blessing to others.

Like it or not, political debates dominate the news right now. Most people have already chosen sides, but the candidates are busy trying to persuade those who haven’t. 
To persuade means to convince someone to believe something through reason or argument; to influence or to win over. To be persuaded is to be convinced, with good reason for your stance.
The Bible gives us the basis for our beliefs. To the Apostle Paul, the arguments of scripture were stronger than the arguments against it. And therein he rested his case. Nothing could shake his faith in the power of God’s love. 
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38,39).
When arguments spring up in your mind, trying to convince you that God’s way of love, forgiveness and reconciliation is not the best way, let God’s Word settle the issue. Be fully persuaded of the truth. Then go and convince others!

Next Steps...
I will allow God’s Word to influence my thoughts and decisions, and to guide my actions.