Dear readers,

Devastating forest fires are not only known from California. In Germany, too, large forests burn again and again. The German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture writes on its website: "The main cause of forest fires in Germany, where a cause could be determined, is man. In 2021, 16.8 % of forest fires were caused intentionally (arson)."

The writer of the Letter of James compares the effect of a tongue to a forest fire. Like a small spark, it can ignite a wildfire that is almost impossible to extinguish. I am convinced that everyone has experienced such "communicative wildfires". A word or a sentence was said that hurt the other person very much. Perhaps spoken thoughtlessly, or perhaps intentionally. Trust was then destroyed by a bad word. Through a quarrel the friends parted and never talked to each other again. Through bad and hurtful words, many a marriage was destroyed.

In world politics, words of powerful people have even cost millions of lives. The order to wage a war has always had devastating consequences for people, animals and the environment at all times. Wars begin with words full of hatred.

This Bible word challenges me to be careful about my language. I do not want to hurt anyone with what I say. What I say or write should help other people. It should become a blessing for others.

Jesus Christ spoke the following words (Gospel of Matthew ch. 12, verses 36 + 37, New International Version): “But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”