PURE CONVERSATION

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

PURE CONVERSATION Proverbs 15:4 A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

PURE CONVERSATION Stick and stones May break my bones, But words can never harm me

PURE CONVERSATION Quick tongue

PURE CONVERSATION James 3:1-2 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.

PURE CONVERSATION Illustrations from nature

THE BRIDLE ON A HORSE When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.--James 3:3 (NIV)

THE BRIDLE ON A HORSE A bit is small metal piece of the bridle that fits inside the horse’s mouth. When the trainer pulls on the rein, it puts pressure on the bit. The pressure of the bit causes pain to the roof of the horse’s mouth. The more the horse resists the bridle, the greater the pain.

THE BRIDLE ON A HORSE A little pressure on the bit turns the whole animal. After training, the horse generally learns to respond to a gentle nudge. Some horses never really learn the simple principle of responding to the pull on the rein. They must always feel the pain before they will turn.

THE BRIDLE ON A HORSE On the other hand, a well-trained horse can be controlled by a halter, a bridle without a bit. When we resist the direction of the Holy Spirit, we experience pain. The more we resist, the greater the pain. When we learn to respond to His gentle nudge, we control our tongue with minimal pain to us.

THE BRIDLE ON A HORSE Running Around in Spiritual Circles

THE RUDDER ON A SHIP 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. -- James 3:4 (NIV)

THE RUDDER ON A SHIP A rudder is a very small part compared to the entire ship. The slightest turn of the rudder changes the course of the whole ship. The results may not be drastic or immediately noticeable.

THE RUDDER ON A SHIP It is actually possible to direct a clipper ship or sailboat a different direction than the wind is pushing the sails. As the wind hits the sails, because the rudder is set for a different direction, the boat actually moves a different direction than the sails are blowing.

THE FLAME OF A FIRE 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. 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. --James 3:5-6 (NIV)

THE FLAME OF A FIRE Psalm 5:9 There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.

THE FLAME OF A FIRE This illustration speaks of the pervasive nature of a poison tongue. It is never satisfied until it has destroyed everything, and everyone, in its path. As we well know, a little spark can ignite a forest fire. A forest fire destroys everything in its path.

THE FLAME OF A FIRE The tongue can destroy everyone in its path. The tongue can ignite the whole body with its evil. The tongue can set on fire from hell the entire course of a person’s life. If just a spark can destroy an entire forest, just a word can destroy an entire community.

THE FLAME OF A FIRE On September 11, 1995

THE TAMING OF WILD BEASTS All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. -- James 3:7-8 (NIV)

THE TAMING OF WILD BEASTS All varieties of wild life have been tamed by humans:  Mammals of the land  Birds of the air  Reptiles  Sea creatures

THE TAMING OF WILD BEASTS A wild tongue NO human can control. It’s untamed fangs contain the poison of a deadly serpent.

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. -- James 3:9-10 (NIV)

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY Gossip is the most deadly microbe

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? -- James 3:11 (NIV) see also Exodus 15:23-25

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? -- James 3:12 (NIV)

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." -- Matthew 12:33-37 (NIV)

AMBIVOLENCE CAUSES CONFUSION AND LACK OF CREDIBILITY To say what is untrue, what is unkind, or to say it unkindly, constitutes failure in Christian living and Christian witness --George Duncan in Every Day With Jesus. Christianity Today, Vol. 32, no. 16.

WHAT, THEN, IS THE ANSWER TO OUR UNCONTROLLABLE TONGUE? Admit our weakness, our need for help before the Lord

Exodus 4:10 Then Moses said to the LORD, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither recently nor in time past, nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and slow of tongue.”

Admit our weakness, need for help before Lord Psalm 120:2 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, From a deceitful tongue

Admit our weakness, need for help before Lord Everyone's a Coach

Determine to speak only that which is good Job 27:3-4 or as long as life is in me, And the breath of God is in my nostrils, 4 My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit

Determine to speak only that which is good Psalm 15:2-3 He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart. 3 He does not slander with his tongue. Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

Determine to speak only that which is good Psalm 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence."

Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit Acts 2:1-4 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they

Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit rested on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance.

Be continually filled with the Holy Spirit Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Trust the Lord to speak through us Exodus 4:11 The LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 "Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say."

Trust the Lord to speak through us Proverbs 16:1-2 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. 2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the LORD weighs the motives.

Talking and eloquence are not the same: to speak, and to speak well, are two things. A fool may talk, but a wise man speaks. -- Ben Jonson in Discoveries Made upon Men and Matter. Christianity Today, Vol. 34, no. 13

Trust the Lord to speak through us 2 Samuel 23:1-2 Now these are the last words of David. David the son of Jesse declares, The man who was raised on high declares, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel, 2 The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue.

PURE CONVERSATION