How To Keep Little Fires from Becoming Big Ones

Years ago, the United States Forest Service launched a highly effective marketing campaign targeted at eliminating wildfires. You might remember the focal point of the campaign: Smokey Bear and his famous motto, “Remember… Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires.” Are you aware though of the little change the Forest Service made to Smokey’s tagline, and why they did so?

In 2001, after over 50 years of saying the same thing, Smokey started saying, “Only YOU Can Prevent Wildfires” instead. Why? The Forest Service’s decades-long crusade against forest fires was one of the most successful marketing campaigns of the modern era. It was so successful in fact that it helped to shape a generation that believed all fires – including planned fires for routine brush clearing – are undesirable. However, some in the Forest Service began to realize around the turn of the century that eliminating all fires led to an even more undesirable consequence: unmanaged forests that have become breeding grounds for huge, devastating wildfires over the last three decades. It turns out that eliminating small fires only leads to bigger, more destructive ones.

The Psalmist writes, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1). I’m sure you would agree wholeheartedly that this is true, but what happens when they don’t? Sometimes, the thought process in such moments can be to maintain the peace at all costs. If there is a hurt feeling because of someone’s behavior, brush it and perhaps even that person aside (and, if Satan is allowed to offer his advice, talk about it with everyone but the person who hurt you). If sin is involved, trust the sinner to learn the error of his or her way through time and (of course) without any intervention. If you have a different opinion regarding a decision someone in leadership makes, just quietly withdraw your support and do your own thing.

The problem is that none of these decisions represent unity and, given enough time, all of them will likely shatter any illusion there is of peace. Conflict is inevitable between flawed, imperfect people; like fires to a forest, it will come. So God’s people are left with two choices when met with a moment of disunity: 1) a small, more easily controlled fire now or 2) a huge, sweeping wildfire later.

Jesus emphasizes pursuing the former choice on both sides of any conflict. After speaking of the potential for anger to condemn a soul “to hell fire” (Matthew 5:22), Jesus gives advice, not about preventing anger in ourselves but about preventing someone from being angry at us. He says,Jesus couches His advice in two powerful pictures. The picture of a person going to worship God who stops first to be reconciled with his angry brother reminds us of how incredibly important it is to seek reconciliation quickly. The picture of a trip first to the courtroom and then to a prison reminds us of what happens when we don’t do so. It’s a hyperbole of course – not many people who are angry with you have the power to literally throw you in prison – but many people can testify to having spent years or even a lifetime in the prison of someone else’s anger, kept from the unity and fellowship God desires. Human wisdom says, “Let them cool off”; God’s wisdom says, “Don’t let them burn up.”

Jesus also isn’t silent about the person on the other side of the conflict. After dramatically describing the consequences of setting an example of sin for someone else (“it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea” – Matthew 18:6), Jesus says: “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15). The simple phrase “you have gained your brother” shows the need for speed; if your brother is not “gained” he is “lost.” James’ words come to mind: “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).

None of this is to say that 1) every case of anger is justifiable and reasonable or 2) sin is involved in every conflict. However, even in conflicts not involving sin, a desire to avoid sin should create a sense of urgency. Among the seven things that God hates is, “one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:19), and among the works of the flesh are “hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies” (Galatians 5:20), which often describe either the process or the product of opinion-based conflict. Dwelling in unity isn’t just “good and… pleasant” (Psalm 133:1); it’s actually the necessary antithesis of things that we absolutely must avoid. No wonder Jesus’ dying prayer was for His followers to “be one” (John 17:20-23).

It is sad that the same God who values unity and hates discord was crucified in an attempt to bring reconciliation after conflict (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19). This is a strong reminder that among flawed, imperfect individuals, even perfect behavior can still lead to destructive fires. However, knowledge of the possibility of failure shouldn’t prevent any attempt at preventing the spread of fire through early action. In fact, being faithful to the example and teachings of Jesus demands it.  

Nothing can prevent fire in this fallen world. It is destined to “pass away with a great noise, and… be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10). But the aim is not to prevent fire; the aim is to keep fires from burning out of control. So remember… only YOU can prevent wildfires.

-Patrick Swayne  
patrick@tftw.org