A Differnt Kind of Fire

There is a different kind of fire

Not visible to the human eye

Yet it causes incalculable damage

Like a wildfire

Consuming everything in its path

So too the tongue…causes widespread destruction

Be it the match of gossip

Or the flame of criticism

Its devastation leaves victims wounded and hurt

It may be a reputation that lies in the rubble

Of lies and deceit

Suffocating its victim like a poisonous gas

It may be talk about those in authority

Causing dissension…leaving the foundation weak and exposed

Unable to withstand the heat

There is one fire prevention

Proven and true

That is to bring our tongue under the obedience of Christ

He alone can slay the arsonist

Whose weapon of choice is the tongue

The intended victim…a vulnerable human soul

Susan Bunts Wachtel

November 18, 2008

It seems no one is immune from the human condition of gossip and a critical spirit. Be it an unbeliever…who doesn’t know or care about what God says in His word. Or a new believer who is immature and still weak and vulnerable in this area of sin. It can even be seen in believers of many years. Those who have extensive knowledge of the word of God. They have a head knowledge that hasn’t yet worked its way down to change their heart.

How easy it is to choose to gossip…or speak our mind and share a critical negative spirit. It’s much harder to go to the person and share our concern. To get on our knees and pray instead of sharing that delectable bit of truth that no one else knows about. To choose insignificance rather than raise myself up by stepping on the reputation of another. To believe all things, hope all things…and dwell on that which is good, lovely, pure and of a good report.

There is only one winner in the game. His name is Satan. Gossip and a critical spirit bring reproach upon the body of Christ. It tears down everyone…from the person who speaks out to the one who is the topic of conversation.

I think that when we get to heaven…there will be tears shed. Not only will we cry when we see the hurt and devastation that our words brought to other’s lives. But we will weep when we know the eternal cost. Those who chose to turn their back and reject Christ because of the ugliness they saw in Christians. It’s not something that we can change after the fact or make better. When those words escape our lips…the match has been lit.

It only takes one time…when you’ve been on the receiving end of gossip to help you understand how hurtful it is. To know that others are speaking ill of you…believing half truths and outright lies. Once you’ve been on the receiving end…you don’t want to be a contributor or participant.

How will we feel when we stand before Jesus…and have to give an account for every idle word? He’ll know the intentions of our heart. All will be exposed.

Isn’t it better that right now…today…that we choose to listen to the reining in of the Holy Spirit. To pay attention when He tugs at our conscious. It’s it better that our words be few. To utter that which builds up and encourages…or speak the truth of God’s word in humility and love.

“They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love.”

Who will know you are a Christian by your love?

Dissention…Reporting for Duty

Here I am boss

Reporting for duty

Have I got a good report for you

The assignment you gave

I executed with ease

As I got those tongues wagging

That place which seeks to be a beacon on a hill

Reflecting the Light of the world

Instead grew a little dimmer today

I started with those who are idle

Who have the time to talk

In no time at all…the seed of gossip blossomed

The trick is

When they are talking about others

They don’t have time to read the word of God

When they are negative and brooding

Completely lacking the joy of the Lord

They are not taking every thought captive

When they spend time

Debating about which songs should be sung

They don’t have the time to worship their Lord

When they set aside the diligent study of the Bible

How can they hold it up

To examine themselves in light of God’s word

When the rest on their laurels

Feel comfortable in their accomplishments

They won’t desire a fresh work of God in their life

When they fail to trust and respect

The leaders whom God raised up

A negative critical spirit takes its place

When they attempt to love on their own power

They will be unable to bear all things, nor hope and believe

Their love will never endure on its own

Some I will lure into exhaustion

Through pressing needs, good works and few helping hands

It’s there I will stir up resentment

May they bow their knee to their Lord

But never their will

There they can rest in a false sense of piety

Oh hater of their soul

The fruits of our labor

Are plentiful and abundant

May they never see it

Or recognize the handwriting of our work

It’s there we can turn them against one another

Render ineffective their witness

When they are focused on one another

They won’t remember to take the gospel to the lost and dying world

by Susan Bunts

September 23, 2008

Thank you Gloomy Gus!

Now who would have “thunk it” that one day,
I would say thank you to those so vocal,
Always eager to share their negative view.

For in everything you see a woe,
But you’ve inspired me,
To instead look for the rainbow.

Your gloomy countenance,
Has shown me the importance,
Of bathing in sunshine and warmth.

Where you so easily see what’s gone wrong,
I now desire to see,
What’s gone right.

Instead of an outlook to lighten the load,
Daily you carry the heavy rocks,
Of pessimism and disappointment.

A focus so narrow,
Your problems have become,
The only things in your sight.

Gus, how often, I must ask, have you missed it?
Oh Lord I pray never let me overlook the opportunities and blessings,
That You wrap in the form of a problem, disappointment or woe.

Susan Bunts
November 1, 2007