Taking the title from a Readers' Digest column, I recently delivered a message based on James 3, the well-known passage on the subject of the power of the tongue. I was thoroughly convicted as I prepared. Here are some of the things I need to work on, and perhaps you as well:
1.Don’t be too free with your words. Your tongue, and the words that come from it, is very powerful. Since we all stumble, the more words that come out of your mouth, the more you will stumble – the more likely it is that you will destroy with your words.
2.Just as the horse’s head, and then the whole horse, changes direction because of the influence of the tiny bit in its mouth, you will head in the direction your tougue leads. Your life will follow your words. And just as the horse may carry riders on its back, or pull a wagon full of passengers, your tongue will lead others in the direction you are heading.
3.Just as the tiny rudder influences from behind the course of a huge ship, your words will influence things in a direction that you may not anticipate.
4.Your words can be devastatingly destructive. In Romans 3, the very evidence used to demonstrate the Total Depravity of Man is the sinfulness of the tongue. The books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes refer to the tongue and its use over 650 times.
5.Our tongues reveal our hypocrisy. Both sweet and bitter water cannot come out of the same fountain. Don’t claim to be one who praises God if you are one who slanders man.
6.The tongue also has power to build. “A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word!” “He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.” “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” Proverbs 15:23, 15:31, and 25:11.
7.God has special comfort and protection for those who are abused by others’ tongues. “But He saves from the sword of their mouth, and the poor from the hand of the mighty.” Job5:15
Application: 1.Seek forgiveness from God and man for your misuse of your tongue.
2. Find someone today to build up with your words.
3. Pray this prayer daily:
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psa. 19:14
If you would like to communicate directly with Mr. Wiens, send an email to this address:
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