#BibleLesson Timeless Truths. Developing a Faith that Works – Taming the Tongue - Part B

This is the eighth post in a ten-week Developing a Faith that Works Series. There are five lessons, each divided into two parts. URLs from previous weeks are listed as part of this opening statement.

URLs.

1/28/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/01/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys.html

2/04/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/01/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys_26.html

2/11/2021 – https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys.html

2/18/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-gods-keys_5.html

2/25/2021 - https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-developing.html

3/04/2021 – https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/02/biblelesson-timeless-truths-developing_23.html

3/04/2021- https://mychristiancontext.blogspot.com/2021/03/biblelesson-timeless-truths-developing.html

 

From last week:

WHY MUST YOU WATCH WHAT YOU SAY?

Your tongue directs where you go. (vv3-4)

You shape your words.

Then, your words shape you.

A small “slip” of the tongue can change your life.

Bits and rudders need a controlling hand: Jesus.

If you are headed in the wrong direction, change your tongue’s direction.

Your tongue can destroy what you have. (vv5-6)

There are thousands of examples of families and careers that were destroyed by someone’s uncontrolled tongue.

You have to live with everything you say. Proverbs 18:20 (Good News)

Careless words can turn you into a verbal arsonist!

“All hell breaks loose” because the conversation came from Hell.

Of course, controlled fire is good.

If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say! Proverbs 21:23 (Good News)

Although you can tame animals, you can’t tame your tongue. (vv7-8)

Restless evil refers to a wild animal.

The term deadly poison is the same used for snake venom. It can assassinate a person’s character.

End of Review

 

Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. ² We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their 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 body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, ⁸ but no human being 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 human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. ¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

James 3:1-12 (NIV)

 

Some people are born with a silver foot in their mouth! 

 

Our months get us into a lot of trouble James talks more about the tongue than anyone else in the New Testament. Every chapter in the Book of James says something about managing your mouth. “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect [mature, healthy] man, able to keep his whole body in check.” James says, if you can control your mouth, you will be able to control every are of your life.

 

WHY MUST YOU WATCH WHAT YOU SAY?

Your tongue displays who you are. (vv9-12)

• You live in an atmosphere that’s contrary to God’s Word.
• “Putting someone down” is to put a curse on them. It refers to any “put down” or label.
• Curses damage self-esteem.
• Your attitudes change quickly as does your speech. 

Whatever is in a well comes out in the water.

• Your tongue is not the real problem.
• Your heart is the real problem. 
• What’s inside you eventually comes out.
• Your tongue reveals your character.

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34

 

WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?

Get a new heart.

• When you are born again, you get rid of the past.

Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit.  Ezekiel 18:31

 

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart, O God,
    and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
    or take your Holy Spirit from me. (Psalm 51:10-11)

 

When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (Living)

 

New heart + new spirit + new life = CHANGED TONGUE

 

Ask God for help every day.

• You can’t control your tongue without supernatural power from God.
• Proof of God’s Spirit within you is not speaking in “unknown tongues.” It's controlling the tongue you have.

Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed. Psalm 141:3 (Living)

• Engage in Bible study to help you with this.

 

Think before you speak! (v19)

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. James 1:19

• Your tongue displays who you are.
• Ask God to melt your heart give you a caring heart in its place.

 

The last two posts in this series, How to Handle Arguments, will begin April 11, the week after Easter.

Commit to making time each week to measure your Christian walk against the standard James presents.

Thanks to Pastor Larry Pitcher for the primary teachings in this post.

 

 

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