So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! James 3:5 ESV

New England may be famous for Vermont cheese, maple syrup and Fall foliage, but one of our lesser-known products, and one which we have in abundance is poison ivy. It sports nice shiny leaves and lovely red berries, which are a favorite snack for birds, who gobble them down and then generously plant them everywhere. In today’s verse, the Apostle James tells us about a far deadlier poison than the one in poison ivy: That poison is found in the poison of malicious words. A single seed of gossip, whether through social media or in person, can destroy relationships, careers and sometimes even lives. The danger of gossip is that it spreads quickly, because, just like poison ivy, once gossip touches our hearts, we start itching to tell others. James says that evil words are like a tiny spark that sets an entire forest on fire. But in the same way that gossip spreads, words of grace can also spread, and in an even more powerful way, In Galatians, we are given the list of the kinds of seeds that God wants growing in our lives:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; Galatians 5:22-23a ESV

Whether we realize it or not, from the moment our eyes open, till we lay our head on the pillow, we will be planting seeds. Since there is already too much of the poison ivy of gossip in the world, let’s instead start planting words of love, joyful praises, peaceful phrases, patient encouragements, kind offers, good suggestions, faithful promises, gentle assurances, and self-controlled responses. These are life-giving words and will lead to a wonderful harvest. But be patient and remember that unlike the lightning speed of the spread of gossip, it takes a long growing season before we can reap a harvest of grace. So, before we say a single word this morning, let’s begin by asking ourselves, “What should I begin planting in my garden today?