Sunday October 31, 2021
https://www.facebook.com/Encountertexoma/videos/407308834172624
INTRODUCTION: We love to talk. Everybody has something to say.
Like the guy who asked, “Do you resent that your wife always has the last word?” He replied, “No, I’m just glad when she finally gets to it.”
Some of us have the natural ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.!
James 3:2- “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.”
James tells us that we’ve got to get our tongue under control.
WHY SHOULD I WATCH WHAT I SAY?
1. My Tongue Directs Where I Go
My tongue has tremendous influence and control over my life.
Where are you headed in life? Where do you want to be ten years from now? Look at your conversation. What do you talk about the most?
James 3:3,4- “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.”
A 95 pound jockey can control a 2,000 or 3000 pound horse by a bit in the horses mouth.
THAT’S THE POWER OF YOUR TONGUE
WHY SHOULD I WATCH WHAT I SAY?
2. My Tongue Can Destroy What I Have
Imaging a beautiful forest with tall beautiful trees everywhere. No imagine it in one minute up in smoke, completely destroyed with a little tiny match. It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
in 1983 in Australia, one fire overnight destroyed 600 miles of land, villages and livestock. ALL FROM A SINGEL MATCH!
James says your tongue can do that!
James 3:5-8 – “ 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.”
A careless camper can destroy a national forest overnight. A careless word can destroy a life overnight!
I wonder how many people because of a careless word have ruined a marriage, a career, or their reputation, or the reputation of another, or their church or a friendship!
Proverbs 21:23 – “ If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say.”
WHY SHOULD I WATCH WHAT I SAY?
3. My Tongue Displays Who I Am
It reveals my character.
James 3:9-12-“ 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.”
The highest use of your mouth is to PRAISE GOD! Then we get in the car and argue where we’re going to eat lunch!
Isn’t it amazing how quickly our attitude can change? We’re like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
We speak lovingly in one breath and then lash out in the next!
WHAT COME’S OUT OF THE WELL IS WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE!
Matthew 12:34 – “…….For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.”
Matthew 15:18 – “But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you.”
THE PROBLEM: THE HEART! THE SOLUTION:
1. Get A New Heart
Painting the outside of the pump doesn’t make any difference if there’s poison in the well.
Ezekiel 36:26-“ And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.”
2 Corinthians 5:17- “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Pray like David did in Psalm 51. “Create in me a NEW HEART, O God.”
2. Ask God For Help Everyday
You need supernatural power to control your tongue! You can’t do it on your own.
Psalm 141:3- “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.”
Psalm 19:14 – “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
Get a new heart and ask God for help every day!
3. Think Before You Speak
James 1:19 – “ Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”
CONCLUSION: What does your tongue say about you? What does it reveal about you? If we played back a tape of your conversations you’ve had this week what would we learn ABOUT YOU?
What direction is your tongue leading you?
Romans 10:9,10- “ If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.