Watch Your Mouth (Pt 2) Series

Just a quick recap of part 1

Our passage of examination is James 3:1-12.

We covered James 3:1–3 “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.”

James was a leader-teacher of the church in Jerusalem.

He was addressing that body of believers on the power of the tongue and the need for self-control.

Last Sunday after service, Lisa mentioned that I didn’t use as much scripture as I usually do.

Let me assure you, I will make up some lost ground, today!

Although it may seem that I’m all over the map today, I’ll remind you that the 3 common threads of this series are:

If our tongues are out of control, our relationship with God is out of control.

Our speech, both publicly and privately, is seen by God.

Children hear how we talk to our spouses, our friends and to them.

The adjoining key verse that tied in with these first three verses of James chapter 3 was:

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.”

Lastly, as a yard marker for our speech, I asked you to consider these 3 questions:

Is what I am going to say, true?

Proverbs 11:13 ESV “Whoever goes about slandering, reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.” -watch yo mouth-

Is what I am going to say, kind?

Proverbs 16:24 “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” -watch yo mouth-

Is what I am going to say, necessary?

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” -watch yo mouth-

BODY

Today, we will examine verses 4-8 in James chapter 3.

Please stand with me as we honor God while reading His word.

James 3:1-8 read from my bible.

As we examine verses 4-8, I’d like us to consider:

The importance of God’s spoken Word.

Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.

Apparently, God left it up to us to have dominion over our tongues!

Two things to reflect on in chapter one:

God created us in His likeness, therefore our words have power in them, as well.

In the first chapter of Genesis, we see “then God said”, 10 times! He spoke it, into existence.

John 1:3 “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

God has given us the power of the spoken word, what we choose to do with it, is up to us:

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Last week I told y’all Ephesians 4:29 is a power verse for me.

This week, I’m sharing another power verse with you, and it is the key verse that ties-in with today’s message:

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Let’s take a brief look at what God’s word says about good and evil treasures of the heart.

Let’s begin with a good treasure of the heart:

1 Kings 3:9–14 “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days. So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your days.””