Words have the potential to build others up and tear others down, to do a lot of good and a lot of harm. James was well aware of the power of words in the Christian life. In his letter, recognizing that words are a powerful tool, he addresses teachers, who have a responsibility to pay closer attention to their use of words (Jas. 3:1). He then connects one’s self-control of their words to a person’s spiritual maturity (3:2). While James uses a variety of examples to illustrate the power of words, one of the most noticeable examples is the power of a small fire to light up a whole forest. James writes, “Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell” (3:5a–6).
What comes to mind when reading this passage is the destructive power of gossip to divide the body of Christ. Pastor and author Jared Wilson defines gossip as “saying anything about someone that you wouldn’t say to them.”1 Like a small fire can set a forest ablaze, a small rumor can set the whole church body against its own members.
The Devil’s Joy
The Devil is very subtle in his temptations, like a lion quietly scouting out its prey (1 Pet. 5:8). He likes to twist the truth and tempt you to join him because he has come for one reason only: “to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10a). He is the father of lies (John 8:44). When it comes to gossip and the body of Christ, if the Devil cannot prevent someone from being saved by the gospel, he will cause division among the saved. Like the joy of a nation witnessing an enemy army’s soldiers attacking themselves, the Devil does not have an issue when the soldiers of the Lord’s army attack one another with words. As lies spread, truths get twisted, and rumors start, the body of Christ is being more divided than united. The Devil rejoices when God’s children sabotage one another.
Putting Out the Fire
The good news is that you and I do not have to be gossipers or fire-spreaders. If you are around gossip and the fire reaches you, you do not have to keep spreading it. You can be part of God’s plan to put it out, confront the fire-spreader, or at least not participate in the spreading. Circumstances demand different responses, and there are many possible scenarios when it comes to gossip and wisely responding to it. However, at the very least, you must recognize your responsibility in the matter. We will be judged for everything we do in our bodies, including what we say. (Jas. 2:12; 2 Cor. 5:10). The question is: What are you doing with what you can control? How are you controlling your words, even if you can’t control someone else’s words?
Two ways to counter fire spreading is to speak words of truth in love (Eph. 4:15) and words of encouragement (4:29).
1. Speak Words of Truth in Love
Ephesians 4:15 says, “But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ” (emphasis added). There are some truths that must be spoken, even if it is hard to say or hear. Personally, I struggle to be confrontational, but that does not excuse me from needing to practice speaking up when I need to. I need to be better about speaking the truth in love and confronting someone about their sin when it presents itself. If you are around gossip and you have the opportunity to confront the gossiper about their poor use of words, speak the truth in love to them: in a loving way, let them know that you sense their negativity or ill-intent, and then challenge them to stop gossiping. Encourage them to address the gossip in a manner that pleases God, which may include replacing harsh words with uplifting ones, confronting the instigator one-on-one, or finding out the truth for oneself from the original sources.
2. Speak Words of Encouragement
Ephesians 4:29 says, “No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear” (emphasis added). What positive things can you add to a conversation? What good things can you point out in other people’s lives that will encourage them rather than discourage them? Use your words to build others up, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than tear them down.
Who is someone you can encourage today? Who is someone you can apologize to because you have been bad with your words around them, or you have spread negativity about them? Who is someone you may need to speak the truth in love to, as a brother and sister in Christ? Words have the power to build up or tear down—to do a lot of good or a lot of harm. Which side are you on? Do not be a fire-spreader. Be an encouragement to the church, not a gossiper.