Tongue Charmers (2)

Ecclesiastes 10:11–14 ESV

11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer. 12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. 14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

Central Idea/ Thesis:

Tongue Charmers employ disciplined training, through the study of Scripture, prayer and self-control enables Christians to be more effective witnesses to the gospel, to lead lives more pleasing to God, and to win the crown that awaits those who are victorious over sin.

Introduction:

Let’s look at the idea that the tongue although a very small part of the body, it weighs big on our actions.

It is through the tongue that many reflect on our character:

good or bad;

trust or fear;

wisdom or foolishness;

fellowship or alienation.

The tongue plays a big role in our ability to be “Everyday Christians.”

So like snake charmers we could benefit from being “Tongue Charmers.”

Self-Discipline and Self-Control are ideas that easily can be substituted in the place of the idea, “Tongue Charmer.”

[Let’s look at the tools available for being an effective “Tongue Charmer.”]

Tongue Charmers train Oneself to be Godly

1 Timothy 4:7 ESV

7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

See also Ro 13:14; 1 Co 9:24–27; Eph 4:23–24; Php 3:12–14; Col 3:12; 2 Ti 1:7; Heb 5:14; Heb 12:1

Let us first understand that this is a spiritual exercise of tongue charming.

Material, Earthly, Physical, Natural attempts at tongue charming fall short of the spiritual transformation necessary to the master the tongue.

[Their is no substitute for God’s Word…]

Tongue Charmers Study of Scripture

Ps 119:9–11; 2 Ti 3:16–17

Psalm 119:9–11 ESV

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

See also Dt 29:29

Humanity mistakenly continues to navigate around scripture to institute a material morality. This is a huge mistake and does not allow charming the tongue.

[Charming the tongue happens through experiences both good and bad to be learned from…]

Tongue Charmers learn through Experience

Titus 2:12 ESV

12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

See also Ro 5:3–5

[Charming the tongue benefits the whole body…]

Tongue Charmers Transform the Whole Person

A Tongue Charmer’s thoughts should be disciplined

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

See also Ro 12:3

Tongue Charmers Renew the mind

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Ephesians 4:23 ESV

23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

A Tongue Charmer’s speech should be disciplined

Psalm 141:3 ESV

3 Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

See also Jas 3:2–12

James 3:2–12 ESV

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

A Tongue Charmer’s behaviour should be disciplined

Romans 14:20–21 ESV

20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

A Tongue Charmer’s body should be disciplined

1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV

27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

See also Ro 6:12–13; Ro 8:13; Eph 4:22; Col 3:5; Jas 3:2

[Use of these tools available to Tongue Charmers, like an athlete, brings about a certain advantage…]

Tongue Charmers Advantage

1 Corinthians 9:25 ESV

25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

See also 1 Co 9:24; 1 Co 9:27; Php 3:14; Col 2:18; 1 Th 2:19; 2 Ti 4:8; Jas 1:12; 1 Pe 5:4; Re 2:10; Re 3:11

Conclusion:

You can become a “Tongue Charmer,” you should become a ‘Tongue Charmer.”

Employ the teachings of scripture to not only improve your life but the lives of those you come in contact with.

Attempting this vital discipline without the aid of God’s Spirit at best can only achieve a perishable crown.

People can be good without God, but only for periods of time and with no eternal reward.

Do not try to mistakenly achieve that which is predominantly spiritual through material/physical/earthly means.

Remember what Solomon reveals in Ecclesiastes 10:11, if the snake bites, would good is the charmer?