Taming The Tounge
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Introduction:
Introduction:
We love to talk don’t we?
We love to talk don’t we?
And some people are just naturally good at it and some of us tend to put our foot in our moth every time we get a chance
And some people are just naturally good at it and some of us tend to put our foot in our moth every time we get a chance
Illustration:
A young man working at a grocery store was approached by a older lady one night. She was looking to by half a head of lettuce. Not knowing if they could even do that for her the young men went to find the manager. As he approached the manage he said “Sir I know its late at night and we are about to close but some batty old lady wants to buy just half a head of lettuce. It was at this point he noticed that the lady had followed him over there. Being quick on His feet the young man said but we are in luck because this fine young lady wants the other half.
A young man working at a grocery store was approached by a older lady one night. She was looking to by half a head of lettuce. Not knowing if they could even do that for her the young men went to find the manager. As he approached the manage he said “Sir I know its late at night and we are about to close but some batty old lady wants to buy just half a head of lettuce. It was at this point he noticed that the lady had followed him over there. Being quick on His feet the young man said but we are in luck because this fine young lady wants the other half.
But Seriously we talk a lot
But Seriously we talk a lot
Even if you are not a chatty person You still transmit a lot of information
Even if you are not a chatty person You still transmit a lot of information
In fact about
1/5 of our lives our spent in conversation
1/5 of our lives our spent in conversation And that does not include the amount of time you spend talking to yourself
And that does not include the amount of time you spend talking to yourself
Men use on average about 25,000 words a day
Men use on average about 25,000 words a day
Women use about 30,000 words a day with an occasional gust of up to 50,000
Women use about 30,000 words a day with an occasional gust of up to 50,000
That means the average person by using words that are spoken could write a 50,000 word novel on a little over five hours
That means the average person by using words that are spoken could write a 50,000 word novel on a little over five hours
In one year the average person would write 66 books that are 800 pages long
In one year the average person would write 66 books that are 800 pages long
Every five hours you speak, you produce enough words to fill a book.
Every five hours you speak, you produce enough words to fill a book.
Let me ask you church what is your life book saying
Let me ask you church what is your life book saying
Is it a story you want told?
Is it a story you want told?
Is it a story that would have the Lord’s stamp of approval?
When I read these verses I am reminded of an appointment a the doctors office
When I read these verses I am reminded of an appointment a the doctors office
Often times when we go to the doctor he asl us to stick out our tongue so he can have a look around
Often times when we go to the doctor he asl us to stick out our tongue so he can have a look around
I don’t know what he is looking for but he can tell an awful lot in that few seconds
I don’t know what he is looking for but he can tell an awful lot in that few seconds
That is what James is talking about
That is what James is talking about
He says it is time for a spiritual check up
He says it is time for a spiritual check up
The tongue can tell us and others a lot about our spiritual health
The tongue can tell us and others a lot about our spiritual health
It’s especially good at displaying the matters of the heart
God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Simply out what is in your heart is reflected through your tongue
Simply out what is in your heart is reflected through your tongue
Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, 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.
We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth. And a small rudder makes a huge ship turn wherever the pilot chooses to go, even though the winds are strong. In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches.
But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
People can tame all kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and fish, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! Does a spring of water bubble out with both fresh water and bitter water? Does a fig tree produce olives, or a grapevine produce figs? No, and you can’t draw fresh water from a salty spring.
And as we all know the tongue is hard to control
And as we all know the tongue is hard to control
Tuen with me if you will we and let’s stand as we read
Tuen with me if you will we and let’s stand as we read
A perfect man = a mature man
A perfect man = a mature man
The first thing that James points out to us is that
The first thing that James points out to us is that
Our Words Give Us Direction
Our Words Give Us Direction
Our Words Give Us Direction
Our Words Give Us Direction
He uses two illustrations to emphasize this truth
He uses two illustrations to emphasize this truth
· Horse and bridle
Horse and bridle
It’s amazing that if a horse is trained properly you can put a 90 pound kid on there and just by pulling on the reigns he can control a 1200 pound animal
It’s amazing that if a horse is trained properly you can put a 90 pound kid on there and just by pulling on the reigns he can control a 1200 pound animal
A rudder on a big ship
· A rudder on a big ship
The same is true about the rudder of a ship. The rudder is comparison to the actual ship is very small but yet in controls the direction of the whole ship
The same is true about the rudder of a ship. The rudder is comparison to the actual ship is very small but yet in controls the direction of the whole ship
The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
In the same way out tongue controls the direction of our life
In the same way out tongue controls the direction of our life
In other words church if you speak negatively all the time then there is a good chance that your life is pretty negative
In other words church if you speak negatively all the time then there is a good chance that your life is pretty negative
And the opposite is true
And the opposite is true
The way you talk to others
The way you talk to others
The way you talk to God
The way you talk to God
The way you talk to yourself
The way you talk to yourself
Will dramatically affect the direction of your life
Will dramatically affect the direction of your life
Now this is not some name it and claim it philosophy
I am not telling you that you can have anything you want by just naming it and claiming it
I am not telling you that you can have anything you want by just naming it and claiming it
But what you say matters and ultimately affect the direction of your life
But what you say matters and ultimately affect the direction of your life
For example
For example
· When you stand at the alter and say I do it definitely changes you life. Whether for good or bad is up to your but life changes doesn’t it
When you stand at the alter and say I do it definitely changes you life. Whether for good or bad is up to your but life changes doesn’t it
· Men you can back me up in this on
Men you can back me up in this on
What you say to your wife drastically affects your life
o What you say to your wife drastically affects your life
If you don’t believe me just pop off at the moth to her and see how long it takes for her to put you in your place
o If you don’t believe me just pop off at the moth to her and see how long it takes for her to put you in your place
· If you go to the doctor and he says congratulation it’s a boy. That changes the direction of your life
· If you go to the doctor and he says congratulation it’s a boy. That changes the direction of your life
The reality is that words matter
The reality is that words matter
The words we use are powerful
The words we use are powerful
If we speak…..
If we speak…..
Ø God’s words
Ø God’s words
Ø God’s promises
Ø God’s promises
Ø God’s will for our life
Ø God’s will for our life
It will have an affect on our life
It will have an affect on our life
But here is something you need to understand
But here is something you need to understand
James tells us that the tongue is difficult to tame
James tells us that the tongue is difficult to tame
In fact James compares it to a wold beast that can not be tamed
And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
apart from the spirit it can not be tamed
And apart from the spirit it can not be tamed
Everything we say, post or send should carry the approval of Jesus
Everything we say, post or send should carry the approval of Jesus
Before it comes out of your mouth or the send button is hit you should ask yourself does God approve of this
Before it comes out of your mouth or the send button is hit you should ask yourself does God approve of this
Does it represent Jesus’s pretense in my life
Does it represent Jesus’s pretense in my life
Apart from the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT it is impossible to tame our tongue
Apart from the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT it is impossible to tame our tounge
Our Words Can Bring Destruction
Our Words Can Bring Destruction
Our Words Can Bring Destruction
Our Words Can Bring Destruction
James use a wildfire that is started from a small spark here to illustrate this point
James use a wildfire that is started from a small spark here to illustrate this point
And we all know how powerful fire is
James uses the word Gehenna to represent Hell
Just look at all the land that has been burned up this year
Just look at all the land that has been burned up this year
A tiny spark can destroy a forest
A tiny spark can destroy a forest
Which was a place right outside of Jerusalem where all the unclean trash was burned. A place where corpses of criminals, dead animals, and all manners of garbage was thrown to be burned. It was a place of burning sewage, burning flesh, and garbage.
While small in size the tongue still carries a lot of power And it can be set on fire by the fire of hell
While small in size the tongue still carries a lot of power And it can be set on fire by the fire of hell
James uses the word hell here as Gehenna Which was a place right outside of Jerusalem where all the unclean trash was burned. A place where corpses of criminals, dead animals, and all manners of garbage was thrown to be burned. It was a place of burning sewage, burning flesh, and garbage.
James uses the word hell here as Gehenna Which was a place right outside of Jerusalem where all the unclean trash was burned. A place where corpses of criminals, dead animals, and all manners of garbage was thrown to be burned. It was a place of burning sewage, burning flesh, and garbage.
Maggots and worms crawled through the waste, and the smoke smelled strong and sickening ().
Maggots and worms crawled through the waste, and the smoke smelled strong and sickening ().
It was a place utterly filthy, disgusting and repulsive to the nose and eyes.
It was a place utterly filthy, disgusting and repulsive to the nose and eyes.
This is a powerful but truthful illustration
This is a powerful but truthful illustration
The tongue if allowed produces garbage
The tongue if allowed will produce garbage
It can be a instrument of filth and disgust
It can be a instrument of filth and disgust
It can be repulsive
Morgan Blake wrote the following entitled
It can spew out negative and carless words if we do not put it in check
It can spew out negative and carless words if we do not put it in check
We all know that words can do a lot of damage that can not be taken back very easily
“Who Am I?“.
We all know that words can do a lot of damage that can not be taken back very easily
Morgan Blake wrote the following entitled “Who Am I?“.
Morgan Blake wrote the following entitled “Who Am I?“.
I am more deadly than the screaming shell of the cannon.
I am more deadly than the screaming shell of the cannon.
I win without killing.
I win without killing.
I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives.
I tear down homes, break hearts, and wreck lives.
I travel on the wings of the wind.
I travel on the wings of the wind.
No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me.
No innocence is strong enough to intimidate me, no purity pure enough to daunt me.
I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless.
I have no regard for truth, no respect for justice, no mercy for the defenseless.
My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea and often as innocent.
My victims are as numerous as the sands of the sea and often as innocent.
I never forget and seldom forgive.
I never forget and seldom forgive.
My name is Gossip.
My name is Gossip.
Idle words can do a ton of damage
Idle words can do a ton of damage
I wonder how many times carless words have ripped a church in half
I wonder how many times carless words have ripped a church in half
How many times have carless words wounded a young Christian and the walked a way from the church
How many times have carless words wounded a young Christian and the walked a way from the church
Before we wreak or send we would do well to stop and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance
Before we wreak or send we would do well to stop and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance
Here is the simple truth
Here is the simple truth
Yourself and others are affected by your words
Yourself and others are affected by your words
And James is saying that we need to be careful as Christians in how we use our tongue
And James is saying that we need to be careful as Christians in how we use our tongue
James says as Christian we can not use our tongue for destruction
James says as Christian we can not use our tongue for destruction
If we open our mouth and the great physician looks around what does He see coming out of our hearts
If we open our mouth and the great physician looks around what does He see coming out of our hearts
And listen sometimes we don’t even have to open our mouth
And listen sometimes we don’t even have to open our mouth
Sometimes all we have to do is listen
Sometimes all we have to do is listen
How many times have we heard well it’s not me who does the gossiping I just listen
How many times have we heard well it’s not me who does the gossiping I just listen
James would say that we should not let our ears be a garbage can
James would say that we should not let our ears be a garbage can
We as Christians should not participate in this kind of filth at all
We as Christians should not participate in this kind of filth at all
that is the point he is trying to illustrate
that is the point he is trying to illustrate
Did you know that all of the 10 commandments can be broken by just our words
Did you know that all of the 10 commandments can be broken by just our words
Words matter
Words matter
The can spark a fire that can destroy everything in its path
The can spark a fire that can destroy everything in its path
And that is why James tells us that
And that is why James tells us that
Our Words Display our Character
Our Words Display our Character
Our Words Display our Character
Our Words Display our Character
James says that
Out of our mouth flows blessings and curses
out of our mouth flows blessings and curses
In other words we are two tongued
In other words we are two tongued
Someone once said that
Someone once said that the profanity of the church is far greater that that of the street
The profanity of the church is far greater that that of the street
In other words he is saying that we come in to the church and we preach love and unity and then as we leave church we curse the guy that just cut us off
In other words he is saying that we come in to the church and we preach love and unity and then as we leave church we curse the guy that just cut us off
Our how many times have we experienced this We get out of service and we are pumped up only to be deflated by a argument with the spouse of another family member
Our how many times have we experienced this We get out of service and we are pumped up only to be deflated by a argument with the spouse of another family member
James says one minutes we are praising God and the next minute we are cursing the peole that God himself created
James says one minutes we are praising God and the next minute we are cursing the peole that God himself created
And by the way this is not a new problem that is why Jams is saying the tounge is like a beast that beat be tamed
And by the way this is not a new problem that is why Jams is saying the tounge is like a beast that beat be tamed
Remember what Isiah said “I am a man of unclean lips
Remember what Isiah said “I am a man of unclean lips
That is a good description of our generation today
That is a good description of our generation today
Everywhere you look there is filth in the air
Everywhere you look there is filth in the air
Poisonousness words being tossed about
Poisonousness words being tossed about
And it is
the words that come out of our mouth that display our true character
The words that come out of our mouths display our true character
Harsh but true
Harsh but true
That is why James alludes to a salt spring and a fig tree
That is why James alludes to a salt spring and a fig tree
He is saying that what is at the root of the tree will produce the fruit of that tree
He is saying that what is at the root of the tree will produce the fruit of that tree
That is why a pecan tree does not grow oranges
That is why a pecan tree does not grow oranges
The problem lies deep within the heart
The problem lies deep within the heart
If you some one is always spilling out negative words then the have a negative heart
If you some one is always spilling out negative words then the have a negative heart
If your words are always angry then you have an angry bitter heart
If your words are always angry then you have an angry bitter heart
If your words are full of live and compassionate then the opposite is true You have a loving kind heart
If your words are full of live and compassionate then the opposite is true You have a loving kind heart
Bill McCartney the founder of the promise keepers movement says that you can measure the true value of a man’s heart by measuring his words
Bill McCartney the founder of the promise keepers movement says that you can measure the true value of a man’s heart by measuring his words
The core of the problem lies in the heart
The core of the problem lies in the heart
So how do we tame the tongue?
So how do we tame the tongue?
So how do we tame the tongue?
So how do we tame the tongue?
Get a New Heart
1) Get a New Heart
The Bible talks about receiving a new heart
The Bible talks about receiving a new heart
Ask the Holy Spirit to Control Your life
When you and I receive Christ as out savior we are given a new heart and the old deceitful heart is done away with
When you and I receive Christ as out savior we are given a new heart and the old deceitful heart is done away with
The only way to get a new tongue is to get a new heart
The only way to get a new tongue is to get a new heart
It takes a transformation that only comes form receiving a new nature
It takes a transformation that only comes form receiving a new nature
And that new nature comes form making Jesus the Lord of out life
And that new nature comes form making Jesus the Lord of out life
2) Ask the Holy Spirit to Control Your life
Ask the Holy Spirit to Control Your life
Ask the Holy Spirit to Control Your life
When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we receive that Holy Spirit
Use Your Words To Glorify God
He is our guide
He is our guide
And we our to seek His guidance in our lives
And we our to seek His guidance in our lives
Take control of what I say, O Lord,
and guard my lips.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
God watches over our words and look at out heart
God watches over our words and look at out heart
Are your words pleasing?
Are your words pleasing?
Use Your Words To Glorify God
Use Your Words To Glorify God
3) Use Your Words To Glorify God
If we use our tongue to glorify God in all that we do it will be hard to use it negatively
If we use our tongue to glorify God in all that we do it will be hard to use it negatively
Use your words to worship the Lord
Use your words to worship the Lord
Why is it that we are so hesitant to do this
Why is it that we are so hesitant to do this
Ø If we watch football on any given day we see the crowd really getting into it
Ø If we watch football on any given day we see the crowd really getting into it
o Have you ever watched an area say game when they yell pig suey (show clip)
o Have you ever watched an area say game when they yell pig suey (show clip)
o And we can them a loyal fan
o And we can them a loyal fan
Ø But If that happens in the church our if a Christian speaks up for God they are Called a fanatic
Ø But If that happens in the church our if a Christian speaks up for God they are Called a fanatic
Church we have to develop a habit of praising the Lord
Church we have to develop a habit of praising the Lord
Authentic Worship should flow from the depths of our heart
Authentic Worship should flow from the depths of our heart
And just maybe if if you are not worshiping with your lips it’s because it’s not in your hearts
And just maybe if if you are not worshiping with your lips it’s because it’s not in your hearts
Now I am not saying tip the cup but if the cups over runneth let someone know about it
Now I am not saying tip the cup but if the cups over runneth let someone know about it
Shout to the Lord
Shout to the Lord
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
So I want you to close your eyes and do something
So I want you to close your eyes and do something
I know it will feel silly but I want you to do it
I know it will feel silly but I want you to do it
Stick out your tongue
Stick out your tongue
Stick it way out there
Stick it way out there
A few of you aren’t doing it
A few of you aren’t doing i
Ok let’s do a spiritual check up
Ok let’s do a spiritual check up
How’s your heart
How’s your heart
What is your tongue saying about the heart’s condition
What is your tongue saying about the heart’s condition
Are your words destructive and hurtful or are the persuasive and powerful?
Are your words destructive and hurtful or are the persuasive and powerful?
IF we are going to speak powerful words then were should we draw those words from
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
I would encourage you to speak the word of God over your life
I would encourage you to speak the word of God over your life
This is not a name it and claim it philosophy
This is not a name it and claim it philosophy
This is speaking the written words of God over your life
This is speaking the written words of God over your life
It is claiming the promises that he has already declared
It is claiming the promises that he has already declared
I would encourage you to praise the Lord
I would encourage you to praise the Lord
Worship
Worship him with your words
We are going to close a little different today instead of everyone coming to play I want to close on prayer and then play a song
We are going to close a little different today instead of everyone coming to play I want to close on prayer and then play a song
As the song begins to play the altar is open
As the song begins to play the altar is open
I want you to look at your spiritual health report
I want you to look at your spiritual health report
We just all stuck out our tongues
We just all stuck out our tongues
Now we have the report back from the great physician What does it say
Now we have the report back from the great physician What does it say
If your spiritual check up did not go they way you wanted it to come talk to the great physician about it
If your spiritual check up did not go they way you wanted it to come talk to the great physician about it
If you are looking at your report and say pastor it looks pretty good then come and pray that you stay on that path
If you are looking at your report and say pastor it looks pretty good then come and pray that you stay on that path
Maybe your spiritual check up showed you needed a new heart. Jesus is ready to do that for you this morning
Maybe your spiritual check up showed you needed a new heart. Jesus is ready to do that for you this morning
The rest of you I would just ask that you would lift your voice in praise
The rest of you I would just ask that you would lift your voice in praise
Whether is is singing along with the Lord our praying
Whether is is singing along with the Lord our praying
Don’t worry about what others say or see
Don’t worry about what others say or see
This is your time to praise the Lord
This is your time to praise the Lord
Let’s go to prayer
Let’s go to prayer