Fire Extinguishers

One day in 1950 in the Capitan Mountains of New Mexico, an operator in one of the fire towers spotted smoke and called the location into the nearest ranger station. The fire ravaged thousands of miles of forest and animal habitats. A little bear cub had been caught in the path of the same fire. He had taken refuge in a tree. His climb had saved his life but left him badly burned on the paws and hind legs. Some soldiers who had been helping fight the fire removed the little bear cub from the burned tree and gave him to a local rancher who was also there helping. A New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Ranger heard about the cub when he returned to the fire camp and drove to the rancher's home to get the bear. The cub needed veterinary aid and was flown to Santa Fe where the burns were treated and bandaged. The cub healed and grew and quickly became the face of Fire Fighting. . .taking the name of his cartoon predecessor Smokey. His motto? "Only you can prevent forest fires."
This fire in New Mexico destroyed 40000 acres of forest and land. The cause? Simple negligence on the part of one man. One man destroyed property and life with just one little spark.
The book of James chapter 3:1-18 talks about these sparks. Verse 5 says "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." I wonder how many of us (really I wonder about myself) even see these sparks? Sparks are so tiny! Repeating gossip, saying words in anger, jumping to conclusions. . . James 1 verses 19 and 20 tell us that Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring the righteous life God desires." Great advice!!! If we follow James' simple instruction we can eliminate most every spark.
But how does one put it out once the fire has started? First, there is freedom (from the fire) in truth John 8:32. Speak truthfully. But there is an additional resource. . .a few words that can put out most any flame. Consider them little fire extinguishers.
Please
Thank You
I Am Sorry
I Love You
I am praying for You