Sermon: Taming The Tongue
by Rick Smith on Wednesday, January 01, 2014 at 7:00 AM
The Bible has a lot to say about how we use our words. Here are a few biblical principals about the use of words.
I came across a statistic that shocked me. I was not sure I believed it. I read that the average person speaks 11,000,000 words a year. Imagine 11,000,000 words a year. This is easier to believe about some people than others. I have a relative for whom 11,000,000 words a year is no problem. He can do that in a month. Do you know how many words that is in a lifetime? At the age of 65 it is 715,000,000 words. Imagine the magnitude of that many words.
Iii Transform The Tongue
Transforming the tongue begins with a change in the heart. Jesus said, “But what comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this defiles a man.” Matt 15:18 . The heart influences the tongue. When it is full of anger, selfishness, envy, pride, and all the other ugly “stuff” that can invade our hearts, we are affected in everything we do.
I heard about a joke some children played on their grandfather. They found him asleep on the sofa in the living room. One of the youngsters got the bright idea to spread some Limburger cheese in Grandpa’s mustache. After a while grandpa woke up and began to smell that Limburger cheese and said, “Something in this living room stinks.” He went into the kitchen, still smelling the Limburger cheese in his mustache, and said, “Something in this room stinks.” Finally, he stuck his head out the back door and says, “Ah, the whole world stinks!”
Some of us have Limburger cheese in our hearts. The problem is not out there, it’s within us. Something needs to change within us. Our focus needs to be transformed. Instead of looking for the bad in a situation, we need to look for the good. Instead of being preoccupied with self-interest, we need to focus on the interests of others. Changing our hearts is a good place to start.
Guard against engaging the tongue without engaging the mind. Take a moment before you speak. Here’s an acrostic to help evaluate whether you are about to say something you perhaps shouldn’t. Ask the following questions:
Heart And Mouth Connection In Words
The Bible teaches that there is a direct connection between our heart and our mouth. When the Bible talks about our heart it is describing the inward most part of that person. Our heart is our center. In eastern cultures it describes the part of us where our thoughts originate and where our character is developed. Whatever is in our heart will come out in the way we speak. If we are harboring sin and wickedness it will show up in the way that we speak to one another.
14)Matthew 12:36 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an account for it in the day of judgement.
15)Matthew 15:18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man.
16)James 1:26 If you claim to be religious but dont control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
17)1 Peter 3:10 If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
18)Proverbs 16:24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
19)Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
20)Matthew 12:37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.
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Proverbs 1: 4 A Gentle Tongue Is A Tree Of Life
Proverbs 15:4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
A family of gentle speech, a church where people speak kindly, an office with such conversation, is like a Garden of Paradise where one would want to live forever. Could there be higher praise than to compare something to a tree of life, which bestows immortality ?
A gentle tongue will rebuke at times, never out of pique, but always for the good of the hearer. Words from a friend pointing out a fault will hurt, but they come from faithful love. The gentle tongue instructs, speaking wisdom, with words that fit each situation, like apples of gold in a silver setting. With a soft answer that turns away wrath, the gentle tongue is merry, doing good to the hearer like medicine to the sick .
Bible Verses About Tongue
Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook?Or press down his tongue with a cord?
Moab said to the elders of Midian, Now this horde will lick up all that is around us, as the ox licks up the grass of the field. And Balak the son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time.
Does not the ear test words,As the palate tastes its food?
For the ear tests wordsAs the palate tastes food.
That your foot may shatter them in blood,The tongue of your dogs may have its portion from your enemies.
You shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the Lord, Have you murdered and also taken possession? And you shall speak to him, saying, Thus says the Lord, In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd,And my tongue cleaves to my jaws And You lay me in the dust of death.
May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouthIf I do not remember you,If I do not exalt JerusalemAbove my chief joy.
The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none,And their tongue is parched with thirst I, the Lord, will answer them Myself,As the God of Israel I will not forsake them.
The tongue of the infant cleavesTo the roof of its mouth because of thirst The little ones ask for bread,But no one breaks it for them.
I cried to Him with my mouth,And He was extolled with my tongue.
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Gossip Does Serious Damage To People
There is no need for a costly survey to find out if gossip is damaging. All people whose reputation or relationships have been damaged through gossip would have no trouble identifying it for the evil that it is. Gods Word speaks plainly about gossip. It hurts others: The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly .
James, the half-brother of Christ, explains why gossip occurs: But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison . Sadly, it seems that everyone eventually finds himself or herself the recipient of gossip and tempted to gossip about others. The tendency to gossip is part of human nature, and taming the tongue requires Gods help.
The New International Version renders Leviticus 19:16: Do not go about spreading slander among your people. In the New Testament, we read: If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless . These are strong words! But according to this verse, the religion of those who slander is worthless!
What Does An Abnormal Tongue Look Like
One of the first noticeable symptoms of an unhealthy tongue is a significant change in color from the normal pink shade youre used to seeing. Other signs of concern can include pain when eating, drinking, and swallowing, as well as new lumps and bumps. Below are possible causes of tongue abnormalities based on color.
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What Is The Power Of A Gentle Tongue
A gentle tongue will rebuke at times, never out of pique, but always for the good of the hearer. Words from a friend pointing out a fault will hurt, but they come from faithful love. The gentle tongue instructs, speaking wisdom, with words that fit each situation, like apples of gold in a silver setting.
How To Tame Your Tongue What The Bible Says
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Oh the power of the tongue! We are living in a culture today that seems to be hyper-focused on words and cancelling people for things they say even things they said decades ago. The Biblical warning to tame your tongue seems so appropriate these days.
Most times, no malice was intended at all and yet their words carried weight and had consequences, whether you agree with those consequences or not.
Words can hurt, words can have lasting impact, and yes in some cases, words can wound us in ways that last longer than even physical wounds.
So lets dive into the Word and see what the Bible says about how to tame your tongue and guard what comes out of your mouth by crumpling your speechlike paper.
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Sins Of The Tongue In The Bible
One of the ways that the Bible talks about the tongue, or the words that we speak, is by warning us about the sins of the tongue. Our words can injure others. Our tongue is one of our most dangerous weapons. What is worse, our words can reveal the sinful nature of our heart. The way we speak reveals our character.
Two of the Ten Commandments speak specifically about sins committed with the tongue: using the Lords name in vain, and bearing false witness against someone else Also, Jesus Himself warned us about the dangers of using our tongue rashly. Other sins of the tongue include boasting, licentious language, being critical, double-tongued, explosive uncontrolled angry words, hateful speech, or purposefully using obscure words to hide on a significant issue.
1)Proverbs 25:18 Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
2)Psalm 34:13 Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.
3)Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out without a gossip a quarrel dies down.
4)Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush to evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Temptation Is Not Sin Yielding To Temptation Is
With that background, Paul exhorted believers not to make the same choices the Israelites madenot to provoke Gods discipline by willfully sinning. None of us is above Gods discipline if we engage in sin. We must look for and take the way of escape God provides in every situation where temptation is found . To think our temptation is unique is to believe a lie. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man . There are no new temptations in life.
The apostle James argued that if temptation becomes serious, it is because we have allowed it to do so. Our own desires entice us away from God and desire gives birth to sin . God doesnt tempt us, but He may allow temptation to enter our lives in order to give us opportunities to make obedient and mature choices.
Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, and He took the same means of escape that is available to usobedience to Gods Word . Temptation is not sin yielding to temptation is. There is always a righteous choice to be made if we are willing to seek it.
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Bible Verses About The Tongue
Bible verses related to The Tongue from the King James Version by Relevance
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Search the King James Version for more references about The Tongue…
The Right Use Of The Tongue
Now look at the following references in James to see how the Christians tongue should be used:-
We have seen that our tongues can be used in many bad ways and in a number of good ways. How can it be controlled? Only by the Holy Spirit. Have you ever asked the Holy Spirit to take control of your tongue? In Romans 6:13 we are exhorted to offer the parts of our body to God as instruments of righteousness – our hands, eyes, feetand our tongue. Have you ever given your tongue to the Lord for Him to control it? Do so now, and as you conclude this study here is:
Studies in this series:
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What Is The Meaning Of Sword Is Mightier Than Pen
The pen is mightier than the sword is a metonymic adage, created by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, indicating that the written word is a more effective tool for communication than violence. In some interpretations, written communication can refer to administrative power or an independent news media.
What Does The Bible Say About Speaking In Tongues
The Bible says that speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift, but what does it mean?
The gift of speaking in tongues is a spiritual gift. It means speaking with words or in a language one doesnt know in order to edify both oneself and others.
Jesus foretold of speaking in tongues: And these signs will follow those who believe they will speak with new tongues. Mark 16:17. The first time anybody spoke in tongues was on the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles, as related in Acts 2:1-12. The apostles spoke the gospel to the crowds in Jerusalem, and what they said could be understood by people speaking many different languages: we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God. Acts 2:11.
Later Paul also writes about the gift of speaking in tongues, in 1 Corinthians 12 and 14. However, here he writes that the person speaking in tongues doesnt speak in an understandable language: no one understands him however in his spirit he speaks mysteries. 1 Corinthians 14:2. Yet this gift that has been given to believers can be of benefit to the recipients and used to edify others in Christian gatherings.
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Enough To Make God Angry
Is gossip a sin? We have not read all of the scriptures on the subject, but what we have seen leaves no doubt that the answer is yes. And all sin carries the death penalty . While some are tempted to rank gossip as just a tiny, inconsequential sin, we have to remember that all sin is spiritually fatal unless repented of!
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness they are whisperers .
The NIV renders the last three words: They are gossips. It is shocking, but also revealing, to find gossip in this list.
The Greek word that is translated whisperer is psithurités, meaning also a secret slanderer . Strongs Greek Dictionary uses an old word, calumniatora person who knowingly makes false or malicious statements about someonea false accuser.
How many people do you suppose would actually think of gossip alongside unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, evil-mindedness and murder? Obviously God does! Having it listed among these other obvious evils surely answers the question of whether gossip is a sin. And it shows us the importance of taming the tongue.
How Will Following Jesus Example Help Us To
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choose the right time to speak?
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select the correct words?
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be gracious in our speech?
1, 2. Why is fire an appropriate illustration of the power of the tongue?
IN EARLY October 1871, what has been described as the most deadly forest fire in U.S. history engulfed the dry woodlands of northeastern Wisconsin. As the fire raged on, the flames and intense heat killed more than 1,200 people and consumed some two billion trees. The inferno may have been started by mere sparks from passing trains. How true are the words of James 3:5: See how small a fire it takes to set a great forest ablaze! Why did the Bible writer make such a statement?
2 The point of James illustration is made clear in verse 6. The tongue is also a fire. The tongue represents our ability to speak. Like fire, our speech has the potential for causing great harm. The Bible even says that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Of course, we do not stop talking just out of concern that we might say something harmful, any more than we refuse to use fire because we fear the damage it might cause. The key is control. If we control fire, we can use it to cook our food, warm our bodies, and light up a dark night. If we tame our tongue, we can use its power to honor God and to benefit others.Ps. 19:14.
3. What three aspects of speech will we consider?
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