STICKS AND STONES MAY BREAK BONES; BUT WORDS WILL KILL
JAMES 3:1-12
(Series Theme: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
As we head into the final stretch of this presidential political campaign season, people will be paying particularly close attention to what each candidate is saying about the various issues that plague our society… For it is through their words, that we are able to learn what their intentions are as leaders of our country… And regardless of which one you plan to vote for, you need to know where they stand… Therefore it is important to know what they are saying… Why? Because words have power…! Just think of all the things that have been spoken into your life and how they may have affected you…? (Point…) What you say can either be a tool to build up, or a weapon of destruction…? So in light of the power of words, and how they relate to the discipline disciple, I thought we’d look at the issue of just what affect words have on people…
I. THE TONGUE IS DEADLY (v 8)
- Deadly: Fatal, lethal; able to kill or destroy
- What you say is important
- The wrong word can lead to the wrong paths
- Idle words, half-truths, questionable stories, or lies can lead to
destruction
- Spirit led words can lead to one out of sin and into salvation
-(Text…) Tongue is small but powerful (untamable, full of deadly
poison)
- Once you say it, you can’t take it back
- Tongue is like a ‘flame of fire’ that can set a family/ church on fire
- The ‘soot’ from the fire will affect all those involved
II. THE TONGUE IS DIVISIVE (v 9)
- Divisive: Create division, separation, or difference
- Many times, what you say is based on you situation
- What you’re going through reflects how you deal with stuff
- With our tongue we bless God and curse man
- How can we bless the Creator, yet curse His creation….?
- A divisive tongue is indicative of a divisive heart
- What’s in your heart will come out of your mouth
III. THE TONGUE OPERATES IN DUPLICITY (v 10-12)
- Duplicity: Speaking or acting in two different ways concerning to
same matter with the intent to deceive; double-dealing; deliberate
or deceptive behavior or speech.(See text…)
(Close…) If you want to over the tongue, it must be done with Godly wisdom (v13-16)
- Be wise, humble
- It’s about your walk, not your talk
- Real Godly wisdom begins with a Holy Life (v17-18)
- Learn how to get along with others
- Be consistent in your behavior
