The Christian And The Tongue

The Christian and the Tongue

By Pastor CG

1. The Mark Of Perfection.

(James 1:26; 3:1-12; Proverbs 12:18; 13:3; 15:4; 18:8, 21; Luke 6:45; 1 Peter 3:10; Romans 3:13)

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

A careful follower of his belief. This is a religious person. Religion is translated Religion and Worshipping.

But to cheat; outwit; to be deceived. Means one that is deceived in his own heart. Vain is Translated vain and vanity.

Pure and undefiled religion is twofold:

1. To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction (James 1:27)

2. Keep self unspotted from the world. True religion consists of universal benevolence and purity of heart and life (Matthew 5:16,44; 2 Cor. 9:8; Col. 1:10; 1 Tim. 1:5; Titus 2:7,14; Titus 3:1,8; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:27; James 3:13,17; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 John 3:17)

Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Proverbs 15:4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

a [A wholesome tongue] A gentle tongue speaks truth and life, but a piercing tongue kills the soul.

b[tree of life]

The Tree of Lives

Tree of lives, because it produces constant and eternal life (Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:12; Genesis 2:9; Genesis 3:24; Rev. 2:7; Rev. 22:2,14). In these passages a literal tree of life is meant.

Sixteen Sources of Life:

1.The tree of life (see above)

2.The path of life (Psalm 16:11; Proverbs 5:6)

3.The fountain of life (Psalm 36:9; Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 14:27; Rev. 7:17)

4.The well of life (Proverbs 10:11; John 4:14)

5.The way of life (Proverbs 10:17; Proverbs 15:24)

6.The wellspring of life (Proverbs 16:22)

7.The bread of life (John 6:35)

8.The ways of life (Acts 2:28)

9.The Prince of Life (Acts 3:15)

10.The Spirit of life (Romans 8:2; Rev. 11)

11.The savor of life (2 Cor. 2:16)

12.The Word of life (Phil. 2:16; 1 John 1)

13.The promise of life (2 Tim. 1:1)

14.The hope of life (Titus 3:7)

15.The grace of life (1 Peter 3:7)

16.The water of life (Rev. 22:1; Rev. 22:17)

Four Figurative Trees of Life:

1.Wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 3:18)

2.Fruit of the righteous (Proverbs 11:30)

3.Hope and desire fulfilled (Proverbs 13:12)

4.A wholesome tongue (Proverbs 15:4)

Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.

The words of a slanderer are like poison in dainty morsels that are quickly swallowed but cause destruction to the receiver (Proverbs 26:22)

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Death and life are greatly determined by the power of the tongue, and he who uses this power rightly shall live because of it (1 Peter 3:10-11). Five examples of death by the tongue:

1. The ten spies (Numbers 14:36-37)

2. Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9-10)

3. Sennacherib (2 Kings 18:28-35; 2 Kings 19:22-35)

4. The Ammonites (Ezekiel 25:3-7)

5. Annanias and Sapphira (Acts 5:5-10)

Three examples of life by the tongue:

1. Esther (Esther 7-8)

2. Paul (Acts 16:28-34)

3. Believers (Romans 10:9-10; 1 Peter 3:10)

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:

By malicious and cutting words they kill and bury the reputation of people. As a tomb is opened and the stench of putrefaction is unbearable, so their throats spue forth poison (Romans 3:13-14).

James 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Master can be translated "doctor" in Luke 2:46 and "teacher" in John 3:2.

Always "teacher" in the epistles, except in James 3:1.

James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

We all stumble or trip over many things.

2. The Nature of the Tongue

James 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.