Proverbs, Part 3: Sticks and Stones

Join us this week for part three of the Freedom Church series, Proverbs. Lead Pastor Shane Frazier breaks down the power of the tongue. We hope you enjoy it! (2 Chronicles 1:10) Give me wisdom and knowledge…   Title of Message: Sticks and Stones (Proverbs 15:1-2) (GNT)  A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harsh one stirs it up. When wise people speak, they make knowledge attractive, but stupid people spout nonsense. (Proverbs 16:24) Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.   (Proverbs 12:18) Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.   (James 3:1) Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.   (James 3:2) We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.   (James 3:3-5) When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 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. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.   (James 3:6) The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.   (James 3:7) All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.   (James 3:9-11) With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?   (James 3:12) My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. Wisdom's Response:   1.    Close your mouth    (Proverbs 10:19) When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.   (Proverbs 17:27) A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.   (James 1:19) My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,   (Proverbs 15:28) The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.   2.    Check your heart   (Matthew 12:33) Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.   (Matthew 12:34) You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.   (Matthew 12:35) The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.   What is stored up in your heart today?   (Proverbs 18:21) (NLT) “The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”