Let Pure Waters Flow

No one can tame the tongue

James 3: 5-6 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.

A problem every person faces James 3: 7-8 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. 8 But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.

Consistency is difficult to achieve James 3: 9-10 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.

Three things God requires : 1. Eliminate some vocabulary. 2. Add certain conversations. 3. Consistently use pure speech.

I. God has forbidden certain kinds of speech.

God forbids speaking evil. Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, along with all malice. ( NKJV ) I Peter 2: 1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, ( NKJV )

God forbids cussing or swearing Ephesians 4: 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, Colossians 3: 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. ( NKJV )

Anger is never an excuse ! Luke 6: 28 – Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Ephesians 4: 26 – Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, Proverbs 15: 1 – A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger.

One must never take the Lord’s name in vain. Exodus 20: 7 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain,

( Listening is participating. ) God forbids dirty / green jokes. ( Listening is participating. ) Ephesians 5: 4 and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 4: 29 Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth,

Matthew 12: 34 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Romans 12: 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, Philippians 4: 8 whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, … dwell on these things.

God forbids dishonest speech. Colossians 3: 9 Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the one who created Him -

II. God requires that we add certain things to our conversation.

Christians are saved to do certain things for God. Ephesians 2: 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Christians are called to be the Advocates for Jesus on earth. I Peter 2: 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. …” Luke 9: 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, ….

God appointed you to be His ambassador to planet earth. II Corinthians 5: 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

We are alert for opportunities. Colossians 4: 5-6 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

Our approach is not combative Ephesians 4: 29 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 to those who hear.

III. God requires that His followers consistently use pure speech.

James 3: 9-12 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. 11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.

I Corinthians 9: 20-22 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some.

All men are created in the image of God so we love all. Romans 12: 16 Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Luke 18: 11 The Pharisee stood and was praying this to himself: “God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.” Romans 3: 23 There is no distinction; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Though the topic of conversation may vary, the standard must remain constant.

Remember : Jesus is a party to every conversation. Psalms 139: 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

Matthew 12: 36-37 But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. 37 For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Our lessons are never aimed at anyone Our lessons are never aimed at anyone. They are to help all of us live in a way that pleases God.

Our tongue is a window Matthew 12: 34-35 You brood of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak what is good? For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. 35 The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil.

The key to making our speech consistently pure is to make our hearts pure. James 4: 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes. I Corinthians 11: 26

Matthew 10:32 Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in Heaven.