HOW TO MANAGE YOUR TONGUE
Developing a Faith That Works
James 3:1-12
“… We all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 (NLT)
I. WHY MUST I WATCH WHAT I SAY?
(3) Reasons
1) MY TONGUE DIRECTS WHERE I GO. (vs. 3-4)
“When we put bits into the mouths of horses … we can turn the whole animal.” James 3:3 (NIV)
“Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.” James 3:4 (NIV)
2) MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY WHAT I HAVE. (vs. 5-8)
“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire …” James 3:5-6 (NIV)
“… it sets the whole course of his life on fire. And is itself set on fire by hell.” James 3:6b
“If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say!” Proverbs 21:23 (GNT)
“All kinds of animals … have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” James 3:7-8
3) MY TONGUE DISPLAYS WHO I AM. (vs. 9-12)
It’s inconsistent: vs. 9.
“With the tongue we praise our Lord Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.”
James 3:9 (NIV)
“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers… this should not be.” James 3:10 (NIV)
“Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?… can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?”
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” James 3:11 (NIV)
THE PROBLEM: THE HEART
“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.” Matthew 15:18-19
II. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?
GET A NEW HEART
“Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit!” Ezekiel 18:31 (NIV)
“Create in me a clean heart, O God…” Psalms 51:10 (KJV)
ASK GOD FOR HELP EVERYDAY
“Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3. Also Palm 19:14
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 (NIV)