A Tale Of Two Mouths

-Psalm 19:1-14

-There are many extreme things people do these days to try to get attention and to make a statement about who they are

-Tattoos -Hair coloring / styles

-Body piercing -Clothes styles

-Forked Tongues

-Have you ever known those people who seemed to talk out of both sides of their mouth?

-They say good things one minute and bad things the next

-This is a common problem and has always been

-James 3:10

-You see, God calls us to a higher standard

-The psalmist knew this and desired to follow God’s will concerning speech

-That is why he said in Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

-You see, there are two different kinds of mouths

-Two distinct different types of speech patterns that man can produce

-And each individual truly fits only one of the two

-Though sometimes elements of the other may appear

-The question this morning is, which type of mouth do you have

I. Evil Mouth

-Psalm 10:4-7

A. Cursing

1. Abusing God’s Holy Name

a. God’s last name is not dammit

b. God’s Name should not be used flippantly

c. God’s Name is holy

-And to be revered

2. Using unwholesome speech

a. Words

ILL - There is a story about a pastor who was building a wooden trellis to support a climbing vine. As he pounded away, he saw that a little boy was watching him. The youngster didn’t say a word, so the pastor kept on working, thinking the lad would just leave. But he didn’t. Finally the pastor asked, "Well, son, are you trying to pick up some pointers on gardening?" "No," he replied, "I’m just waiting to hear what a preacher says when he hits his thumb with a hammer."...

-There are many thousands of words in the English language

-With new ones being added constantly

-While most are wholesome, there are some that should never be used

i. When they describe unwholesome things

ii. When they portray unholy emotions

b. Stories (or jokes)

-Likewise with words, some conversations can be very unwholesome

-While not explicit

-We often tend to talk about sinful subjects without dealing with them as the evil that they truly are

-Look at the sin laughed at in sitcoms today

-Sin is never funny!!!!!

-Our conversations should be focused on what is holy and upright, not on what is earthly and carnal

B. Deceit

-Lies

-Proverbs 4:24

C. Oppression

-Degrading others

1. Gossip

-Proverbs 10:18

-Ladies are known for being the queens of gossip

-Hair parlors and such

-But, I’ve known many men that I would classify as the kings of gossip

-They say things like, did you hear about . . .

-If it has more chance of being hurtful to someone than helpful to them, then it is gossip

-While the whole world may have inquiring minds, it does not mean that they need to know everything that is going on

2. Criticism

ILL - Two taxidermists stopped before a window in which an owl was on display. They immediately began to criticize the way it was mounted. Its eyes were not natural; its wings were not in proportion with its head; its feathers were not neatly arranged; and its feet could be improved. When they had finished with their criticism, the old owl turned his head...and winked at them.

ILL - A guy came to his pastor and said, “Reverend, I only have one talent." The pastor asked, “What’s your talent?" The man said, "I have the gift of criticism." The pastor was wise and replied, "The Bible says that the guy who had only one talent went out and buried it. Maybe that’s what you ought to do with yours."...

-Criticism is not always bad

-It can be constructive

-Although, usually it is not

-Before you criticize, you should always pray

-Usually, this diffuses the criticism

-Then, criticize to the face, not behind the back

-Then I is gossip

II. Holy Mouth

A. Praise

-Psalm 34:1

1. For God

a. For He is worthy

b. For we need to get it off our chest

2. For Others

-It takes 9 compliments to overcome a criticism

-We need to look for the good in people

-Acts 17:22-23

B. Testimony

-Psalm 71:15-17

-ILL - Bad news travels fast. Within two hours the whole world knew that President Kennedy had been killed, who killed him, where he was killed and how he was killed. Today, still half the world does not know the good news that Jesus died, where He died, and the purpose of His death. People do not know that Jesus died for them....

1. Share you testimony because many have never heard