MANAGING YOUR MOUTH James 3:1-12

James 3:2 “We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.”

MY TONGUE DIRECTS… __________ WHERE I GO WHY MUST I WATCH WHAT I SAY? MY TONGUE DIRECTS… __________ WHERE I GO

James 3:3 “When we put bits in the mouths of horses ... we can turn the whole animal.”

James 3:4 “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.”

MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY… ___________ WHAT I HAVE WHY MUST I WATCH WHAT I SAY? MY TONGUE CAN DESTROY… ___________ WHAT I HAVE

James 3:5 “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue is also a fire...”

James 3:6b “... it sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”

“If you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say!” Proverbs 21:23 “If you want to stay out of trouble be careful what you say!”

James 3:7,8 “All kinds of animals ... have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

MY TONGUE DISPLAYS… _________ WHO I AM WHY MUST I WATCH WHAT I SAY? MY TONGUE DISPLAYS… _________ WHO I AM

James 3:10 “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.”

James 3:11 “Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? ... can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs?”

THE PROBLEM MY… ______ HEART

“For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34 “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.”

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK

James 1:19 “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”

“It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” (Abraham Lincoln)

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK BITE YOUR TONGUE MORE OFTEN

James 1:26 “If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK BITE YOUR TONGUE MORE OFTEN REFUSE TO TEAR PEOPLE DOWN

James 4:11, 5:9 “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another… Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK BITE YOUR TONGUE MORE OFTEN REFUSE TO TEAR PEOPLE DOWN SPEAK ONLY WHAT IS TRUE

James 5:12 “Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No", no, or you will be condemned.”

WHAT IS THE SOLUTION? BE QUICK TO LISTEN AND SLOW TO SPEAK BITE YOUR TONGUE MORE OFTEN REFUSE TO TEAR PEOPLE DOWN SPEAK ONLY WHAT IS TRUE SURRENDER YOUR TONGUE TO GOD

James 3:8 “but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”

SPEECH THERAPY Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it beneficial? Do I have permission to share it? Is my motive pure?