Watch Your Tongue 10-12-25 AM
I. The pollution of the tongue.
a. When we use words that are sinful in some way, we create a polluted tongue.
b. Cursing is a pollution of the tongue.
i. In our text, James says we cannot bless and curse with the same mouth.
ii. Col. 3:8.
iii. Eph. 5:4 – this would include dirty jokes as well.
iv. Remember how Peter acted when he denied Jesus (Matt. 26:73-74)
c. Gossip is a pollution of the tongue.
i. God has always been against this (Lev. 19:16).
ii. Pr. 11:13.
iii. In the list of sins that condemned the Gentile world, Paul was inspired to use a term translated whisperers (Rom. 1:29).
d. Judging is a pollution of the tongue.
i. Matt. 7:1.
ii. John 7:24.
iii. Jam. 4:11-12.
e. Lying is a pollution of the tongue.
i. Pr. 12:22.
ii. We mentioned in the introduction how it is one of the seven things God hates (Pr. 6:17).
iii. Rev. 21:8.
f. Boasting is a pollution of the tongue.
i. 2 Tim. 3:2.
ii. Gal. 5:26.
iii. Pr. 27:1.
iv. Jam. 4:15-16.
v. Ps. 10:3.
g. You may think of some other uses of the tongue that are sinful but these cover most and others can fit in with them.
II. The pain of the tongue.
a. When we sin with our tongue there is great pain caused.
b. The old adage is Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.
i. We know this is not true.
ii. Words are very harmful.
c. Cursing harms us in several ways.
i. It limits access to God (Jam. 3:9-10).
ii. Do we think we can call on God for help when we’ve used His name in vain?
iii. It makes us sound just like the world.
iv. It will turn off someone who is offended by it and hurt our influence with them.
d. Gossip harms in many ways.
i. No other action has destroyed more friendships than this one (Pr. 16:28).
ii. Someone has correctly labeled a gossip as a reputation assassin.
iii. It causes division and strife.
iv. Remember that God hates those that sow discord among brethren.
v. It undermines unity.
vi. It destroys trust.
e. Judging harms in many ways.
i. It is an attitude that turns people away from us.
ii. It causes us to be quick to see faults in others but overlook their good qualities.
iii. It often is to make us feel better in sins.
iv. It keeps us from having a relationship with God.
f. Lying harms us in many ways.
i. It separates us from God.
ii. It creates more lies.
iii. It harms our influence.
iv. It will keep us out of heaven (Rev. 21:27).
g. Boasting harms us in many ways.
i. It causes us to put others down because we are elevating ourselves.
ii. It causes division.
iii. It causes envy (Gal. 5:26).
iv. It keeps us from having proper humility (Jam. 4:10).
III. The prescription for the tongue.
a. As a doctor can examine the tongue, determine illness, then prescribe a treatment, God has shown us the prescription for overcoming sins of the tongue.
b. Pray for forgiveness is the first step.
i. We have to confess sins of the tongue to God like any other sins.
ii. We have to realize we need forgiveness then seek it.
c. Pray for strength to overcome those sins.
i. Remember that Jesus taught us to pray with asking God to not lead us into temptation.
ii. We have to have a great desire to no longer use our tongues for evil.
d. Be intentional with our words.
i. Jam. 1:19.
ii. Someone has well said, “Taste your words before you spit them out.”
iii. Ps. 19:14.
e. Specifically to cursing, we need to make sure we are taking in that which is pure and holy (Php. 4:8).
i. What type of music are we listening to?
ii. What type of shows are we watching?
iii. What type of words are our friends using?
f. When it comes to gossip, we need to ask some questions?
i. Is it true?
ii. Is it kind?
iii. Is it needful?
g. We have to seek to be humble and kind to others with our words, just like we would want people to be towards us with their words.