Shannan Ponton
The Biggest Loser Australia is one of the top rating programs in its season.
Reference: v.5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: Shannan Ponton is a trainer on The Biggest Loser Australia. The show is huge and one of the top rating programs in its season. I recently had the privilege of interviewing Shannan, which I was so excited about as he is my favourite trainer from the show. During our chat I had the opportunity to tell Shannan how wonderful I thought he was and what an inspiration he is to so many people. When we finished the interview Shannan cheerfully said that he was walking so much taller after the encouragement he had received from our chat. This statement blew me away. I’m an absolute nobody and this guy has thousands of people watch him on TV nearly every day. And yet my words had had an impact on him to the point where he felt physically different.
Application: We should never underestimate the power of our tongues. They really can change people for better or for worse. The writer of James understood its power. He describes it like a spark that can set a whole forest on fire. For something that we use every single day, we must not forget it’s power to build people up or tear them down.
Prayer: Lord, this powerful weapon can be a blessing and a curse. May we use it for your glory. Amen.
How can you bless someone by what you say today?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.