Unbridled Tongue Unbridled Heart

First Baptist June 13, 2021 T I T L E: UNBRIDLED TONGUE UNBRIDLED HEART T E X T: James 1:26; 3:1-12 Could it be that the problem with an unbridled tongue is not a problem with the tongue but a problem with the heart? The Bible has a lot to say about the tongue, especially an unbridled tongue. I. AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE RUNS THE RISK OF TEACHING PERSONAL OPINION RATHER THAN THE WORD OF GOD. A. Teaching the word of God in the context of the church in particular or for that matter in the context of the home or marketplace demands that those who do so need to make certain the content of their teaching reflects biblical truth and accuracy. B. Teaching the word of God ultimately involves a more stringent sense of judgment and personal accountability utilized by the Lord in His assessment regarding truth as expressed by the word of God by those who hold the office of teacher in the body of Christ than the criteria used to judge the learner in contrast to the teacher. Verse 1 - ("...as such we will incur a stricter judgment...) C. Teaching the word of God demands that those who do, regardless of the context, must also nurture a humble and teachable disposition themselves reflecting the truth that those who teach must reflect a level of Christian maturity that goes beyond the moniker novice. D. Aspiring to teach the word of God in any context is a noble aspiration and obviously involves the use of the tongue but such an endeavor needs to be approached with the understanding in mind that it is the nature of the tongue to be unruly even when the tongue abides in the mouth of a Christian. VV. 2-8 The Bible speaks of the hasty tongue. Proverbs 29:20 ----Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. The Bible speaks of the deceitful tongue. Psalm 34:13 ---- Keep your tongue from evil And your lips from speaking deceit. The Bible speaks of a backbiting tongue. Proverbs 25:23 ---- The north wind brings forth rain, And a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. The Lord is aware of our thoughts even before we express them. Psalm 139:4 ---- Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. II. AN UNBRIDLED TONGUE REFLECTS AN INCONSISTENCY IN ONE'S CHRISTIAN EXPRESSION AND A PROBLEM WITH ONE'S HEART THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IF NOT AN OUTRIGHT DENIAL OF A HEART THAT HAS BEEN VISITED BY THE GRACE OF GOD. VV. 9-12 Matthew 15:11 ---- "It is not what enters into the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man." ...... 17 "Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18 "But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. A. James is emphatic about the inconsistent tongue saying "these things ought not to be so. V. 10 Have you noticed the inconsistency of the tongue in practical manners in your life? We can be listening to a nice Christian song in our car on the way to wherever and then someone in front of you at the stop light sits a little too long when the light turns green and you say something like, "Ok buddy that light is going to get any greener." (Impatient) B. The inconsistent tongue is beyond the control of the natural man thus requiring the supernatural intervention of the Lord. V. 8 Conclusion: Psalm 139:23-24 ---- 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; 24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 141:3 ---- Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips. Proverbs 21:23 ---- He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. 2 | Page