Taming The Tongue
Introduction:
1. The tongue will tell a lot about you.
2. The spiritual health of an individual is given away by the way they use their tongue.
3. Guard your tongue.
4. James 3:1-12. Why control the tongue?
I. It’s potential to condemn (verses 1, 2).
A. Teachers were people of power, prestige, and responsibility.
B. All are teachers. Be careful for they shall receive a stricter judgment.
C. Control your tongue you are accountable for what you say (Mt. 12:34-36; Ps. 39: 1; Ps. 141:3.
II. It has great power to direct (verses 3-5a).
A. James has certain images of power-Horse’s bit, ships rudder.
B. Potential of the tongue (Prov. 18:21). We use our tongue to edify.
C. Admonitions (Prov. 10:19; Ecc. 5:2).
III. It has power to destroy (verses 5b-6).
A. Fire can be good or bad. The fire in this case is bad.
B. World means scheme, arrangement, source of unrighteous, ungodly behavior. The tongue defiles the whole body (Mk. 7:20-23).
C. The tongue used negatively can curse (Rom.3:10), lie (Prov. 12:22), false witness (Prov. 19:5), contentious words.
D. It can destroy names, reputations, peace, etc. (Ps. 64:1-10; 1 Sam. 22:9-19).
IV. It is untamable (verses 7, 8).
A. Animals are controlled but then may act out. The tongue is full of deadly poison-venom.
B. In the church you have whisperers, slanderers.
C. Work to control your tongue.
V. The inconsistencies of the tongue (verses 9-12).
A. We are made in the spiritual and moral image of god. We are not to praise and destroy with the same tongue.
B. We are not to be two faced (1 Jn. 4:20, 21; Mt. 7:18, 20).
C. We have been made righteous by God we ought to speak and act according to his will and power.
Conclusion:
1. Tame your tongue or it may tame you.
Entered on 10/25/2009
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