FAITH IN ACTION: How to Tame the Tongue
James 3:1-12
REALIZE THE POWER OF THE TONGUE
“‘It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that come
of your mouth.’” —Matthew 15:11 (NLT)
“A
’s tongue is long enough to cut his own throat.” —Bruce Waltke
“Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” —Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)
REALIZE THAT WE CANNOT CONTROL OUR TONGUE
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be
to listen, to speak, and slow to get angry.” —James 1:19 (NLT)
TURN TO GOD’S GRACE FOR HELP
“Then I said, “It’s all over! I am doomed, for I am a sinful man. I have filthy lips, and I live among a people with filthy lips. Yet I have seen the King, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’” —Isaiah 6:5 (NLT)
“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal he had taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. He touched my
with it and said, ‘See, this coal has touched your lips. Now your guilt is removed, and your sins are .’” —Isaiah 6:6-7 (NLT)
“Take
of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” —Psalm 141:3 (NLT)