How does my tongue behave?
Yesterday
We LOOKED at our tongues, with our focus on the power our words have to ‘direct’ our lives.
Today
We want to LEARN how the tongue is to behave to direct our lives in the right direction.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
Let’s Ask For Help
Oh Lord, may we receive Your Word to us today! Please give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear You speak to us! Help us to truly grasp the importance of our words. Thank you!
LOOK at What God Says
Let GODcha steer you on the right path.
How will you get under way?
Begin By Reading 
Let’s read James 3:1-12 again, asking the 5W’s and H.
Zoom in on James 3:3-5.
Why did James compare our tongues to a bit and a rudder?
THINK: consider the smallness of the tongue, but also its power.
THINK: believer’s are given the power to control the tongue. If we don’t control our tongue, it will control us.
Picking up where we left off yesterday, let’s zoom in on a few more Cross References to see what God says about ‘the tongue’, ‘mouth’, ‘speech’.
Truth Explains Truth
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
Hear God Speak!
1. How is the tongue suppose to behave?
a. The tongue is to speak pleasant words that are sweet to the soul and heal the bones. Pleasant words reflect wisdom, persuasiveness [received instruction, whether on the part of the teacher or hearer] and understanding. (Pro 16:21-24)
LISTEN…
How does my tongue behave?
Are my words pleasant and sweet and healing?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
b. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit. (Pro 18:21)
We see: the power of the tongue.
Understand: We can speak death or life to others. We can move precious ones, especially our children from:
sinner to saint;
unloved to loved;
hopeless to hopeful;
cowardly to courageous!
We also see: the tongue affects the speaker, the one who loves to use the tongue, whether in a good way, or in a bad way. They shall eat its fruit, meaning they will reap the good or bad that arises from what they speak.
LISTEN…
Do I realize the power of my words?
Do I speak words of death?
Or, do I speak words of life?
What must I do to speak God’s Words of life to others?
When and how have I eaten the fruit of what I have spoken?
Respond to God….LIVE it out!
c. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace [in the NT only of words or discourses as graciousness, agreeableness Eph 4:29; Col 4:6] to those who hear. (Eph 4:29)
LISTEN…
When and why have I let unwholesome words come from my mouth?
What must I do to speak only that which is good for edification so it will give grace (graciousness) to those who hear?
Respond to God….LIVE it out!
d. Let your speech always be with grace (graciousness), as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. (Col 4:6)
THINK: What does salt do?
It flavors – my speech brings forth the flavor of Christ.
It preserves, stopping corruption – my speech should not be corrupt and never contribute to someone’s corruption.
It causes thirst – my speech should make others thirsty for Christ.
LISTEN…
What is my speech?
Is my speech with grace?
Is my speech seasoned with salt? Do my words:
Bring forth the flavor of Christ;
Stop corruption;
Cause others to thirst for Christ?
Respond to God….LIVE it out!
2. What does our speech have to do with dwelling with the Lord?
Those who speak truth in their heart; who do not slander; do not do evil to their neighbor; Nor takes up a reproach against his friend… will dwell with the Lord. (Psa 15:1-3)
LISTEN…
Will I dwell with the Lord because I speak truth?
Am I known to habitually slander, or not slander?
Respond to God….LIVE it out!
3. Who will NOT dwell with the Lord?
a. Those whose deeds of the flesh are evident… enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions (all have to do with the tongue), those who practice such things will NOT inherit the kingdom of God. (Gal 5:19-21)
b. …all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. (Rev 21:8)
LISTEN…
Does my tongue practice causing enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions?
Am I a liar?
What will I do to enter the kingdom of God and not be thrown into the lake of fire?
What Do We LEARN
Sum It Up!
We LEARN:
The Tongue:
Has the power of Life and Death.
Can be for good or evil.
The Tongue is to speak:
No unwholesome words;
Pleasant and sweet words;
Gracious words that are good for edification;
Kind, loving, comforting, encouraging words.
The Tongue: Can determine if we will dwell with the Lord!
Engage With God!
LISTEN…
How has the Lord stirred my heart about my words?
Is the habit of my life to speak words of love that build up, encourage, comfort, bring peace and joy?
Or, is the habit of my life to grumble and complain, speak angry, hateful words that tear down, destroy, rip apart, and devastate?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
Let’s Wind Down!
Meditate with your heart and ponder in your spirit what James is saying, (Psa 77:6).
Note What You LEARNED
Add to your List about the ‘right way to use our tongues’.
Video Tutorial> Notes Tutorial >
Turn What You LEARNED Into a Prayer
Perhaps….
OH FATHER GOD, we thank you for Your Word of Truth! My heart’s cry is that we truly grasp how life and death are in the power of the tongue. May we apply the power You have given us. May we carefully guard our every word. May we make the conscious effort to speak pleasant words that give life, and edify You and others. Words that strengthen, encourage and build up, not criticize and put down. May we make the right choice to be slow to speak, sensitive to You, Holy Spirit, letting You lead us to direct our tongue in the right way, then we will be able to lead (direct) our body in the right direction! We ask this in our Lord Jesus’ name. Amen!
You are doing great! Soon we will pull this all together.
Next: we will check out the tongue’s power to ‘destroy’.
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