Positve or Negative Control of the Tongue?
Notes
Transcript
Our message today mostly comes from the book of: James 3:1–12
Our message today mostly comes from the book of: James 3:1–12
God made all things good, but man misuses the good things. God made the tongue to be used for good, but man uses it in the wrong way. Man uses the tongue to gossip, lie, complain, criticize, and for filthy language. The tongue can be a great help or hindrance. Whether the tongue is a help or a hindrance depends upon the person. Most of man’s problems are the result of an uncontrolled tongue. Let’s get started.
God made all things good, but man misuses the good things. God made the tongue to be used for good, but man uses it in the wrong way. Man uses the tongue to gossip, lie, complain, criticize, and for filthy language. The tongue can be a great help or hindrance. Whether the tongue is a help or a hindrance depends upon the person. Most of man’s problems are the result of an uncontrolled tongue. Let’s get started.
The Christian’s Tongue.
The Christian’s Tongue.
The Problem with our tongues. James tells us in verse 1: “Dear brothers, don’t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others” When leaders and mature Christians do not control their tongues, many things can happen. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 5:9 “For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”
The Problem with our tongues. James tells us in verse 1: “Dear brothers, don’t be too eager to tell others their faults, for we all make many mistakes; and when we teachers of religion, who should know better, do wrong, our punishment will be greater than it would be for others” When leaders and mature Christians do not control their tongues, many things can happen. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 5:9 “For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”
On FB, there is a lady comedian that is “clean comedy.” One of her best acts concerns “church conversation, both good and bad. She gets her laughs by telling the audience that if you add “BLESS HER HEART” that we can say almost anything and that any words are acceptable. I laughed out loud at that one!
On FB, there is a lady comedian that is “clean comedy.” One of her best acts concerns “church conversation, both good and bad. She gets her laughs by telling the audience that if you add “BLESS HER HEART” that we can say almost anything and that any words are acceptable. I laughed out loud at that one!
Now, On the opposite end of this spectrum, if we can control our tongue as Christians are supposed to do, we achieve Perfection in the eyes of God—v. 2. “If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way” A mature Christian will control his tongue. Not “kinda of” but will.
Now, On the opposite end of this spectrum, if we can control our tongue as Christians are supposed to do, we achieve Perfection in the eyes of God—v. 2. “If anyone can control his tongue, it proves that he has perfect control over himself in every other way” A mature Christian will control his tongue. Not “kinda of” but will.
The Character of Tongue—vv. 3–8
The Character of Tongue—vv. 3–8
Through God and His Holy Word we can achieve Control of our tongues.
Through God and His Holy Word we can achieve Control of our tongues.
We use BITS for our Horses. James 3:3 “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, they do and go where we guide guide them. The bit controls the entire body of the horse just like Gods Holy Word is to assist and guide us in self control.
We use BITS for our Horses. James 3:3 “If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, they do and go where we guide guide them. The bit controls the entire body of the horse just like Gods Holy Word is to assist and guide us in self control.
Verse 4 tells us that Ships have rudders. The rudder guides/steers the entire ship.James 3:4 “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.”
Verse 4 tells us that Ships have rudders. The rudder guides/steers the entire ship.James 3:4 “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.”
The regretted “Curse of tongue” We’ve all said at one time or another, “me and my big mouth” or “I should have never said that.” or one of my favorites, “that’s gonna come back to haunt me.” LOL RIGHT? Can anyone relate?
The regretted “Curse of tongue” We’ve all said at one time or another, “me and my big mouth” or “I should have never said that.” or one of my favorites, “that’s gonna come back to haunt me.” LOL RIGHT? Can anyone relate?
A simple Comparison of the tongue’s damage:
A simple Comparison of the tongue’s damage:
James 3:5 “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!” “Brags, lies, insults, belittles, confronts, etc
James 3:5 “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!” “Brags, lies, insults, belittles, confronts, etc
A small spark makes a big fire. An uncontrolled tongue, though small, destroys many people, many relationships, many feelings.
A small spark makes a big fire. An uncontrolled tongue, though small, destroys many people, many relationships, many feelings.
What about the Curse of the wicked tongue? James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our bodily members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” An uncontrolled tongue defiles the entire body.
What about the Curse of the wicked tongue? James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our bodily members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” An uncontrolled tongue defiles the entire body.
Can’t we tell someones Character in a matter of seconds when we listen to how they use their tongue Their language, their tone, their abruptness—v. 7–8
Can’t we tell someones Character in a matter of seconds when we listen to how they use their tongue Their language, their tone, their abruptness—v. 7–8
What have we observed in life about control? Man can Practice and develop control over most everything. Animals, rivers, forest fires, diseases, each other, you get my point. Verse 7-8 tells us: “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 can be restless and evil, full of deadly poison that can destroy.
What have we observed in life about control? Man can Practice and develop control over most everything. Animals, rivers, forest fires, diseases, each other, you get my point. Verse 7-8 tells us: “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 can be restless and evil, full of deadly poison that can destroy.
Can I begin to even start to list the Problems of uncontrol?
Can I begin to even start to list the Problems of uncontrol?
On the bright loving positive side, we read in Proverbs 13:3 “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” When I preach I like to go over the “do’s and don’t’s and the “should’s and should not’s” of scripture. The way God tells us how to behave and He so graciously gives us the instruction manual. AMEN
On the bright loving positive side, we read in Proverbs 13:3 “Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” When I preach I like to go over the “do’s and don’t’s and the “should’s and should not’s” of scripture. The way God tells us how to behave and He so graciously gives us the instruction manual. AMEN
We can achieve the loving, caring Control of our Tongues by using Scripture in our lives, but do we want to? Some of us like this abusive confrontational tool don’t we? We use it as a weapon, a degrading tool, a get even weapon........
We can achieve the loving, caring Control of our Tongues by using Scripture in our lives, but do we want to? Some of us like this abusive confrontational tool don’t we? We use it as a weapon, a degrading tool, a get even weapon........
Pay close to the comparisons and questions concerning the tongue:
Pay close to the comparisons and questions concerning the tongue:
Should tongues praise God and curse men?—When a person is in Christ, in church, in fellowship, in study, in prayer all things are changed. James 3:9 “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. And of course this includes the tongue.
Should tongues praise God and curse men?—When a person is in Christ, in church, in fellowship, in study, in prayer all things are changed. James 3:9 “With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. And of course this includes the tongue.
Can the tongue both bless and curse? We read in verse 10, James 3:10 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” This should not be! Can a person sing praises to God, as well as give testimonies, and then use the same tongue to swear, gossip and lie?” Can Dave or Jerry stand up here every Sunday morning, read scripture and sing from 11:00-12:00 then on their way home curse someone with “roadrage?” I hope not!
Can the tongue both bless and curse? We read in verse 10, James 3:10 “From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” This should not be! Can a person sing praises to God, as well as give testimonies, and then use the same tongue to swear, gossip and lie?” Can Dave or Jerry stand up here every Sunday morning, read scripture and sing from 11:00-12:00 then on their way home curse someone with “roadrage?” I hope not!
Can a fountain have salty and sweet water? James 3:11 “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? They are not interchangeable. I saw a pic on FB last week of the biggest and best Yacht in the world. The heading read, “$615,000 million yacht has two pools, one fresh water the other salt water. They are not interchangeable. Just like A Christian when accepting Christ, we are to leave all sin.
Can a fountain have salty and sweet water? James 3:11 “Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? They are not interchangeable. I saw a pic on FB last week of the biggest and best Yacht in the world. The heading read, “$615,000 million yacht has two pools, one fresh water the other salt water. They are not interchangeable. Just like A Christian when accepting Christ, we are to leave all sin.
2 Timothy 2:19 “ But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
2 Timothy 2:19 “ But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Watch closely what James has to say about who and what we become when we receive Jesus. Does a fig tree produce olives? James 3:12 “Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
Watch closely what James has to say about who and what we become when we receive Jesus. Does a fig tree produce olives? James 3:12 “Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.
The Bible says that by our fruits people will know us. Are we bearing good fruit? Are we doing good stuff? Matthew 7:19–21 “19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (by what we do) 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
The Bible says that by our fruits people will know us. Are we bearing good fruit? Are we doing good stuff? Matthew 7:19–21 “19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (by what we do) 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Does a fountain have fresh and salt water? NO! You cannot use the tongue in the wrong, evil, mean, lying ways and be a Christian.
Does a fountain have fresh and salt water? NO! You cannot use the tongue in the wrong, evil, mean, lying ways and be a Christian.
James 1:25–26 “25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
James 1:25–26 “25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. 26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.”
What about your tongue? What about my tongue? Does your tongue , your words, bring honor and glory to God? Do you use your tongue to praise God? Do you use your tongue to praise the work of the church, or do you criticize the church? Do you use your tongue to encourage and help others, or are you using your words to condemn them? An uncontrolled tongue brings shame to the person and to others, as well as to God’s work. One harsh statement can crush a baby Christian. Choose your words with Christian Love.
What about your tongue? What about my tongue? Does your tongue , your words, bring honor and glory to God? Do you use your tongue to praise God? Do you use your tongue to praise the work of the church, or do you criticize the church? Do you use your tongue to encourage and help others, or are you using your words to condemn them? An uncontrolled tongue brings shame to the person and to others, as well as to God’s work. One harsh statement can crush a baby Christian. Choose your words with Christian Love.
AMEN
AMEN
