Growing Deeper, Getting Stronger: Watching Your Mouth

Have you begun exploring what it means to follow Christ, but are sensing that there is more? Maybe you've been a Christian a while but have moved away from your closeness with Christ. In this series, we talk about some key elements to growing and getting stronger as a follower of Christ. Growing Deeper, Getting Stronger: Watching Your Mouth James 3: 1-12 #1. What you say matters - You will account to God for what you say James 3: 1 - Your words reveal what is in your heart Matthew 12: 34b-37 Junk coming out of your mouth, means there is some junk inside of you. - Your mouth shows how strong you are James 3: 2 #2. Your tongue is small but very powerful James 3: 3-8 - a horse’s bit - a ship’s rudder - a forest fire - a wild animal - poison Have you ever considered how small but powerful your tongue is? Hebrews 4: 12 Proverbs 10: 19, 21a Proverbs 13: 3; 12: 25 #3. So be careful how you use it James 3: 9-12 Hurtful ways to use your mouth: - Cursing: cursing reveals rebellion, disgust, or control issues. - Lying - Insults - Gossip Remember: - Best interest Is this in the best interest of the person I am talking about and all involved? - Need to know Does this person really need to know this information? Is this critical communication that I must share? - Manipulation - Backhanded compliments - Christian jokes & sayings Ephesians 4: 29 Positive ways to use your mouth: - Building up others I Thessalonians 5: 11 - God-honoring, daily conversations Colossians 3: 17 Psalm 19: 14 - Worshiping God Psalm 28: 2 Psalm 109: 30 - Confessing sin Romans 10: 10 - Sharing God’s Word with others Psalm 119: 13 Romans 10: 14