23
May '19
The Point of No Return
23
May '19
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body . . . (James 3:6)
It wasn’t as simple as just crossing another river. By law, no Roman general could lead armed troops into Rome. So when Julius Caesar led his Thirteenth Legion across the Rubicon River and into Italy in 49 bc, it was an act of treason. The impact of Caesar’s decision was irreversible, generating years of civil war before Rome’s great general became absolute ruler. Still today, the phrase “crossing the Rubicon” is a metaphor for “passing the point of no return.”
Sometimes we can cross a relational Rubicon with the words we say to others. Once spoken, words can’t be taken back. They can either offer help and comfort or do damage that feels just as irreversible as Caesar’s march on Rome. James gave us another word picture about words when he said, “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell” (James 3:6).
When we fear we have crossed a Rubicon with someone, we can seek their forgiveness—and God’s (Matthew 5:23–24; 1 John 1:9). But even better is to daily rest in God’s Spirit, hearing Paul’s challenge, “let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6), so that our words will not only honor our Lord, but lift up and encourage those around us.
Lord, please guard my heart and my words today. May I speak only words that please You and bring health and healing to others. Amen.
As I was reading today’s devotion I couldn’t help but think of our children and the coming generation. We must do as scripture says and let our speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt. Our future generation, our children need an example to follow after. So the next time you get angry, hurt or frustrated in the moment, remember this, when words become weapons, our relationships soon become casualties. A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit (Proverbs 15:4).
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Matthew 18:6