Raise the Red Warning flag!

In the city of Puebla, Mexico something that has been around forever has begun to be a problem. The Popocatepetl crater stands 5,452 meters (17900 foot) above this town. This sleeping giant began to spew out a huge dangerous swelling cloud of ash and steam eight kilometers (five miles) high.  Officials proclaimed that it was not dangerous.

Popocatepetl has been smoldering since 1994 and threatening to harm the population who live close by. The public is required to stay at least 7 miles away from the base of the volcano.  A volcano warning system is n place for surrounding cities. Raising a yellow flag means there is no danger, while a red flag will cause a city to be evacuated.  38 miles north in Mexico City, officials have decided that the volcano is not a significant risk and would not be instituting their warning flag for the surrounding cities.

  

I am not sure that I would be as calm if something that is so dangerous was looming behind me! 

As soon as I said this, the Spirit reminded me that I have a dangerous, vicious enemy even closer to me.

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. James 3:5-6

The tongue is like this volcano!  It sleeps, waiting to spew at any time. When it does erupt the effects are felt for miles. When it comes to my tongue, there is always a red warning flag flying! 

Ouch!  This was not a pleasant reminder, but necessary.

 

This Red flag tongue check is for all of us. God's word has much to say about our speech.

Only speak what is pleasing to God-May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Keep your tongue from evil -Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 34-12-13

Speak with wisdom- Thee mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just. Psalm 37-30

When you don’t have anything nice to say-don’t! -I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence." Psalm 39:1

Speak of the goodness of God-I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and salvation. I do not conceal your love and your truth from the great assembly. Psalm 40:10

Be gentle-A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly. Proverbs 15:1-2 

Think before you speak-The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil. Proverbs 15:28 

Build up others with your speech -Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29 

Speak with grace -Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6

Clean up your speech-But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 

Colossians 3:8 

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:9

Father, you have given us a red warning flag concerning our tongues. I am choosing to read you word and focus on what is good rather than allow my mouth to spew out unpleasant and hurtful things.