THE POWER OF TONGUES AND SPOKEN WORDS PROVERBS 13:3 PROVERBS 6:2 What does Word mean? The definition WORD according to the dictionary is: a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning warrant, assurance, or promise: what is the tongue? How does it work and why does it have such great control in our lives? After all, why is it so important that we gain control over this muscle? The tongue, in a way, reflects the inner person. It is a tattletale that reveals the heart and discloses the real you. Every tongue is capable of the most grotesque and hideous of sins. The Bible describes the tongue as wicked, perverse, corrupt, vile, complaining, slanderous, cursing, foolish, filthy, blasphemous, sensual and gossiping. And this list is in no way exhaustive. It is no wonder that God put the tongue in a cage behind the teeth and walled by the mouth. The tongue is of great concern to God. In the book of James alone, the tongue is mentioned in every chapter (see 1:19, 26; 2:12; 3:1-12; 4:11; and 5:12). The reason God take our speech seriously is that the genuineness of a person’s faith will invariably be demonstrated by his speech Proverbs 6:2 Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth. Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. John 6:63 says the word we spoke is spirit and life, as you can see in our maiden text proverb 6:2 which read thou art snared that tell us how powerful our word is. James says that our tongues, though it is small, that it is like a fire and that it can quickly get out of control and destroy anything in it’s path. Thus, while we have the ability to bless God and others with our tongue, we also have the ability to spew venom and destroy lives. Jesus spoke a great deal on the use of this tiny muscle, because he knew the wealth of it’s power. The bible tells us in Gen 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And because we are created in His own image one of the power we inherited by default is the power of spoken word. Our tongues reveal one other thing about ourselves, it reveals our inner person. Tommy Nelson says that “the tongue is the bucket that dips into the well of a person’s heart Word is a finished products of the state of our heart, Jesus said in 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. So its the state of your heart that determined what you speak this was why the bible says in Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things The truth is, if we are going to mature in our faith, then we must learn to guard our lips The tongue is a fascinating muscle. With it, our taste-buds bring us pleasure by informing our minds if something is sweet or sour, spicy or bitter. It allows to shape our thoughts from mere sounds into specific words. Words which are useful in expressing genuine motions and pertinent information Be careful who you listen to because words can make or break you Psalm 1:1 Says Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly and what is a counsel? advice; opinion or instruction given in directing the judgmentor conduct of another. Interchange of opinions as to future procedure; consultation; deliberation. The bible says in Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Always reject any negative words spoken to you hence it may have a negative impact on you and be careful to whom you consult for an advice. The bible recommends we consult the word of God only Roman 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God as doing so will not only encourage us but also increase our faith in God Hebrew 11:6 says without faith its impossible to please him. Let us examine five principles that can help us to control our tongue. Principle 1 Speech Under Control is a Measure of Maturity (Distinguishes) James 3:2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. As we break this verse down, we want to attempt to understand a few of the key words involved. The word stumble means to trip or to fall. Feet that stumble can bring the body crashing to the ground. The word perfect means mature or complete. Maturity in Christ is directly related to the words we speak. If we are able to control our tongues then it will reveal that we are mature and wise. Adversely, if we cannot hold our tongues, then we reveal the immaturity of our faith. Consider James 1:19, be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. Have you ever wondered why God has given us two ears and one mouth? Principle 2 The Tongue is Small but Powerful (Directs) The tongue not only distinguishes or depicts our heart, but it also gives direction. Consider the next two verses of James 3:3-4. The tongue is the rudder for your body. If you tame it and guard it, it will serve you well and guide you through this life, but if you misuse it and neglect it, it will destroy your character and credibility Principle 3 Our Words Can Be Spontaneous Combustible Destroys James 3:6 The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. Our tongues are like fire. Our words are but a sulphur match awaiting a strike Principle 4 The Tongue is an Untamed and Deadly Beast (Dangerous) James 3:7-8 Every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. Not only is the tongue a fire but it is a dangerous animal. It is truly amazing all that man has tamed The tongue is rogue dangerous. The tongue is Rambo, James Bond, Hulk Hogan and Bruce Lee gone bad. The tongue should be the WORD licensed to kill. Paul says that the tongue is full of deadly poison. Poison can be deceptive because in most cases it works slowly and secretly. It is important to remember that just as a fire can be brought under control and can become useful to produce heat and energy, and just as an animal can be tamed and can become useful for labour and transportation so too can the tongue be tamed; but only by God. Principle 5 The Tongue Speaks Out of Both Sides of the Mouth your word tell the state of your heart James 3:9-12 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither basalt water produce fresh water. Please pray that God will tame your tongue so that you will speak Godly words only and cancel every evil word you have spoken against others or yourself. God bless you!
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 13:05:55 +0000
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