Fell Fire

I recently walked up Longridge Fell. Much of it is covered by coniferous plantations; the paths leading within those woods are gloomy and disorientating. The ground is covered in spent pine needles and the trees’ lower branches are stunted, dry sticks. A rather ill-maintained sign warns visitors of the attendant risks of forest fire, urging barbeques and cigarette disposal take place away from the trees. Quite why someone fit enough to walk that fell should be inclined to puff tobacco, I cannot say; why a family would elect to cook their meats in the dark woodland, I am not so sure. But we fallen humans are not have our levels of common sense overestimated. A small ignition, a tiny spark, and whoosh- those great woods are all aflame. James teaches in 3:5:

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! (NKJV)

A small spark can destroy a hillside; a tongue can wreck a marriage, a church, a life. 

From James to Solomon:

In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,

But he who restrains his lips is wise.

Proverbs 10:19. NKJV