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BACK

Introduction: God has blessed mankind with the ability to speak.

A. Deafness & other problems can disable our speech.

B. Throat cancer, strokes, etc., can take away our speech.

C. How fortunate we are to be able to speak. Do we thank God for this?

A. It depends on how we use it. Whether or not it is properly controlled.

1. James tells us that it is difficult to control—"all stumble".

2. The Greek says, "keep on stumbling."

3. Only a perfect person never stumbles in word (I Pet. 3:21-24).

4. This means as we "press on toward perfection" (Heb. 6:1) that we improve on the control of the tongue.

A. James tells us (vv. 3-6) of the powerful effect this small member of our body can have.

1. The potency of the tongue is compared to a fire. The flame from one match can burn down a huge factory, a forest or a portion of a city.

B. In similar fashion, one improper statement by the tongue can begin fires that can ruin individuals, families or a congregation.

1. A deceitful tongue is condemned in Ps. 120:2 "Deliver my soul, O Jehovah, from lying lips and from a deceitful tongue."

2. Read the admonition to us from Prov. 26:18-28. This passage shows how much harm can come from the improper use of the tongue.

3. To control the tongue better, we must control our thoughts first. Phil. 4:8 can be a big help for us.

A. Sing praises unto God (I Cor. 14:15; Eph. 5:19).

1. Charles Wesley’s hymn "O for a thousand tongues."

B. Proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16:15,16; Rom. 1:16; II Tim. 2:2).

1. Be prepared to teach (I Tim. 2:15; I Pet. 3:15).

C. Prayer (I Thes. 5:17,18; I Cor. 14:15).

1. Be constant in prayer (Luke 18:1).

2. Believe what you pray (James 5:13-15).

3. Pray daily—Model prayer (Matt. 6:9-13).

D. Exhort & encourage others (I Thes. 5:11-15).

A. Matt. 15:10-20 contain the words of Jesus on this point.

B. We have tried to look at some uses of the tongue that we should avoid. On the other hand, we have looked at some uses of the tongue that can be useful and helpful to each other and for building up the church.

C. God knows the thoughts of our hearts and hears every word that comes out of our mouths. Jesus made it plain to the Pharisees and to His listeners that we will give an account of these things in the day of Judgment unless we repent and get forgiveness of the bad thoughts and words (Matt. 12:33-37).

D. Let our motto be: "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer (Psalm 19:14).