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James 3:4-10  Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5  Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8  But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.

TONGUES

THE TONGUE The tongue of the Christian is such a wicked member it used improperly even in the church. The Holy Spirit devoted one entire chapter and scores of other passages in the Bible to expose and condemn the sinfulness of the tongue. Even in the Scripture text today we find these things said about the tongue— Vs. 5, a boaster— Vs. 5-6, a fire— Vs. 6, a world of iniquity Vs. 6, a defiler— Vs. 6, set on fire of hell— Vs. 8, unruly evil— Vs. 8, full of deadly poison.

THE HASTY TONGUE Proverbs 29:20  Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 10:19   In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise. Consideration of the results disregarded Childhood advice of counting to ten when we are angry will spare many bitter and biting words

II. THE FLATTERING TONGUE Psalm 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips. What is flattery? The effort to compensate for the lack of value The greedy intentions The goal that is sought

III. THE BOASTING TONGUE James 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! James 4:16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Boasts of personal ability Boasts of personal achievement Our only boasting should be in the cross of Christ. Gal 6:14

IV. THE JUDGING TONGUE Matthew 7:1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. Psalm 75:7 But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another. Judges self righteously Judges the eternal destiny of human souls Judging other’s eternal destiny is God's business not ours.

V. THE UNCLEAN TONGUE Isaiah 6:5 So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Grieves God's Spirit Sound speech should characterize Christians

VI. THE LYING TONGUE Proverbs 6:17  A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, Colossians 3:9  Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, Hated by God Some dare to lie to God The doom of this sin - Revelation 21:8b  …all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

VII. THE GOSSIPING TONGUE 1 Timothy 5:13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Proverbs 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. Satan's device Satan's delight Don’t fall into this trap of Satan

VIII. THE EVIL SPEAKING TONGUE James 4:11 Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 1 Peter 2:1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, We can even speak the truth and be guilty of this sin Don't speak evil of any Christian

IX. THE IDLE TONGUE Matthew 12:36-37  But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. 37  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." 1 Timothy 5:13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Idle means useless, words should be meaningful. Our words should be helpful and useful to the hearer.

X. THE SLANDEROUS TONGUE Proverbs 10:18  Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool. Psalm 101:5 Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure. False statements to damage a person’s character or reputation. Many times slander is an attempt to bring someone down who has been elevated or praised.

XI. THE DESTRUCTIVE TONGUE Psalm 52:2 Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. Our tongue has the power to destroy or to heal. The words of a Christian should never be destructive.

ARE YOU GUILTY OF… A Hasty Tongue A Flattering Tongue A Boasting Tongue A Judging Tongue An Unclean Tongue A Lying Tongue A Gossiping Tongue An Evil Speaking Tongue An Idle Tongue A Slanderous Tongue A Destructive Tongue

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