James Series: Taming the Tongue

James 3:1-12

In what ways can we show our Christian faith?

We show our faith by our attitudes during suffering… We run to God, ask for help and wisdom, and we know that God is working through our sufferings and He is producing some good things in us and through us.

We show our faith by being doers of God’s Word, and not hearers only.

We show our faith by being self-controlled: Swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

We show our faith by providing for the helpless, for the widows and the orphans in need.

We show our faith by loving others without partiality or favoritism, and showing mercy.

This morning we saw that our faith moves, it has actions; it is a Living and Active faith

This evening, even though James has touched on this… He is going to go a little further with it:

Our Faith guards our speech… our tongues… our mouths.

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37 - I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it int the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

4. Using our mouths to speak falsely, to slander, to curse, to gossip, to belittle, to insult, to attack someone’s character, to threaten, and be verbally abusive in other ways, such as non-stop- and-destructive-criticism, harsh judgements… Stirring up strife, conflicts, deceit, and discord.

All of this comes from the heart… and a heart that is led by anger and wrath, caused by greed, jealousy, envy, pride, and selfish ambition… will be a life that does not and will not love their neighbor or their church family member as their selves… as a lifestyle.

Matthew 5:22 - Jesus says, “Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, “You fool! Shall be in danger of hell fire.”

Verbal abuse stems from anger and hatred.