THE DANGER OF LOOSE LIPS IN THE CHURCH
EPHESIANS 4:29-31
I. INTRODUCTION
THE TONGUE CAN BE A BLESSING OR THE TONGUE CAN BE A CURSE. THE TONGUE CAN BE USED TO LIFT PEOPLE UP, OR THE TONGUE CAN BE USED TO TARE PEOPLE DOWN. THE TONGUE CAN BE THE BRIDGE THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER, OR THE TONGUE CAN INSTRUMENT THAT DRIVES PEOPLE APART. THE TONGUE CAN BE USED TO GIVE SWEET FRAGRANCED COMPLIMENTS OR IT CAN BE USED TO GIVE DESTRUCTIVE AND DAMAGING CRITICISM. THE TONGUE CAN BE USED TO PRAISE GOD, OR IT CAN BE USED TO PROFANE GOD. YES MY BROTHERS AND MY SISTERS, WE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT THAT STICK AND STONES MAY BREAK MY BONES, BUT NAMES WILL NEVER HURT ME. BUT MAYBE THE PERSON WHO MADE THAT PHRASE, HAS NEVER BEEN TALKED ABOUT. THERE IS REAL DANGER OF HAVING LOOSE LIPS IN THE CHURCH.
II. TEXT
THE ARTICULATE APOSTLE PAUL ENCOURAGES AND EXHORTS THAT NO CORRUPT COMMUNICATIONS ARE TO PROCEED OUT OF OUR MOUTHS. FILTHY WORDS AND DISCOURSE ARE POISONOUS AND INFECTIOUS, AS ROTTEN MEAT. THEY PROCEED FROM AND PROVE A GREAT DEAL OF CORRUPTION IN THE HEART OF THE SPEAKER, WITH A TENDACY TO CORRUPT AND INFECT OTHERS. CORRUPT WORDS OFTEN COME FROM A CORRUPT HEART. THE BIBLE TEACHES, “AS A MAN THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE.” THAT WHICH IS ON THE INSIDE OFTEN MAKES ITS WAY TO THE OUTSIDE.
THERE ARE THOSE WHO’S SOLE PURPOSE IN LIFE SEEMS TO BE TO CAUSE HURT AND DISCORD WITH THEIR MOUTHS. PSALMS 140:3 TEACHES, “THEY HAVE SHARPENED THEIR TONGUES LIKE A SERPENT; ADDERS’ POISON IS UNDER THEIR LIPS.” BUT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS WE ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENTREAT THE LORD TO SET A WATCH BEFORE OUR MOUTHS AND TO KEEP THE DOOR OF OUR LIPS.
BITTERNESS-IS AN IRRITABLE STATE OF MIND WHICH PRODUCES HARSH AND HARD OPINIONS OF OTHERS. THEREFORE, BITTERNESS MUST NOT TAKE ROOT IN OUR HEARTS. WRATH-REFERS TO THE RAPID BOILING UP AND FURIOUS OUTBURST OF TEMPER INTO PASSIONATE EXPRESSION. ANGER IS THE SETTLED DISPOSITION OF INDIGNATION. CLAMOR- RESULTS IN THE LOUD, RAILING OUTBURST IN A STORM OF ANGER. EVIL SPEAKING-REVILING, DELIBERATE INSULTS WITH ABUSIVE WORDS. MALICE- IS CONGEALED HATRED, AND A VICIOUS DISPOSITION OF CHARACTER.
III. CONCLUSION
THESE ATTITUDES DO THREE THINGS: ONE, THEY CRIPPLE THE BODY OF CHRIST. TWO, THEY GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT. THREE, THEY HINDER THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS. WE SHOULD USE OUR LIPS TO GLORIFY GOD AND OTHERS.
