Tongue Control

James 3:1-121 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 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. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 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. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. We must learn to control our tongue! “if a man is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man able to keep his whole body check.” Power of Tongue 1.     Tongue has power to change the course of one’s life.2.     Tongue has power to destroy our lives. a.      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.” 3.     Tongue reveals our true self                 9 “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness”     a.      Matthew 15:10-11 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Control of Tongue 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.Matthew 12:34 “for out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks…” Change of Tongue 1. Heart Transformation a.      II Corinthians 5:17 “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come.” 2. Holy Spirit's Empowerment a.      Psalms 141:3 “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord, keep watch over the door of my lips.” 3. Habit Development "THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK!" a.      James 1:19 says “quick to listen and slow to speak.” a.      Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving.                                               i.     Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.                                                ii.     1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.