SHUT THE DOOR TO EVIL -- Devotional for October 10, from "Good Seeds"

“The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; behold how great a forest is set aflame by it, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” (James 3:5,6)

I was reminded of the truth of this verse one day when some gossip got back to me…about me! But then I thought, “I’m not much better. Just when am I ever going to get control of my tongue?” The temptation is to want to just shut up completely. But talking is not like a drug addiction, where a cure would mean zero intake (zero intake of food would soon result in a zero heartbeat!) Rather it can be compared to over-indulgence in eating, where the cure is manifested by self-control. And with speaking there’s a definite positive side, for with our tongues we can also praise our Creator and encourage our fellow man. Whenever we open our mouths to speak, let it remind us to consider our motives, and try to foresee the effect on our hearers. Ask God, “Is this something You are directing me to say now?” An important way to shut the door to evil is to shut our mouths while God purifies our hearts. Another is by shutting our ears to the evil coming from the lips of others. Sometimes it’s better to just walk away, closing the door to their poison. And this sort of talk can even come from Christians! Remember Jesus’ words to Peter, one of His closest friends: “Get thee behind Me, Satan, you are a stumbling block to Me, for you are not setting you mind on God’s interests, but man’s” (Matthew 16:23). Lord, help us all to learn to “shut the door to evil,” never bidding entrance of its poison to our soul.

Oh, why do men talk? They talk to be heard.
But sometimes they speak such a poisonous word!
‘Tis a gift to be silent, giving moments to think –
Giving God your attention, keeping self from the brink

Of disaster with others, ruination with men.
Shut the door to the devil, close the gate to his den.
Here’s a rule for myself: Speak ill of no man,
Throw opinions away – instead of words, lend a hand.”

Give audience to no one who comes with fresh tales
Of a man’s reputation – finding joy when he fails.
Those wicked truth-twisters, from their lies turn away;
Satan’s brothers and sisters, heed not what they say.

Never wish them “God speed;” never open the door;
To their voice give no ear; never give them the floor.
Godly silence is golden, but there’s a right time to talk –
A right time to listen – but a right time to “walk!”