Scripture: Matthew 12:33-37

C.I.: The Power of the Tongue

We are involved in a series on Christian Morality. – So far; “Virtues” & “Attitudes”
Today we will study the morality of our speech.

I. The Tongue’s three-Fold Power (James 3:3-12)

INTRO.: James wrote so we could become mature/ “perfect” in the faith (Jms. 1:2-4).
a. A person’s maturity will be seen in many ways – but clearly our speech is one of them.
1) (Jms. 1:19), “Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
2) (Jms. 1:26), “If anyone thinks themselves to be religious, and yet does not bridle his own tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.”
3) (Jms. 2:12), “Speak & acts as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.”
b. In the third chapter James gives 3 pictures - to show the tongue’s power in our lives.

A. The Power to Direct: (vs. 1-4)

1. The course or direction of a person’s life is often determined by the way that they talk.
a. (Jms. 3:3-4), “Now if we put bits into horse’s mouths so that they may obey us, we direct their body as well. – Behold the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder, wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.”

b. Both the bit and the rudder have to overcome contrary forces (horse’s nature, wind & waves,
etc.). – So also our tongue also has to overcome contrary forces at work in us:
1) Our past - (Eph. 4:22), “In reference to your former manner of life, lay aside the old self….”
(i) “Your past may explain you – but it doesn’t lock you in!!!”
2) Our desire for acceptance – “The Day America Told the Truth”
(i) (Eph. 4:25), “…laying aside falsehood, speak truth, each one of you with his neighbor”
3) Our anger – (Eph. 4:26-27), “Be angry and do not sin, do not let … do not give the devil….”
4) Our vocabulary – (Eph. 4:29), “ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification”
(i) Profane = debasing what is sacred (using the Lord’s name in vain, or while cursing)
(ii) Vulgar = Obscene (“jokes” – filthy stories – speaking of someone in a crude fashion)

c. But our words can also move us into good directions as well:
1) In our relationship with non-believers – (I Pt. 3:15), “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that lies within you, yet with gentleness and respect.”
2) In our relationship with each other – (Eph. 4:32), “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted…”
3) In our relationship with God - (Matt. 12:37), “For by your words you will be justified…”

d. Truly the direction our life takes – may very well be determined by the things we say!!!

B. The Power to Destroy: (vs. 5-8)

1. (Jms. 3:5-6), “The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! – The tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity.”
a. During the last several years – no one in Colorado would deny the destructive power of fire.”
1) Hundreds of thousands of acres have been destroyed – homes have been lost – lives taken!
2) Our words can also start fires – (Pro. 26:20-21), “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. – Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
3) Our words have incredible power to destroy - a relationship, a work, a life. Lets see how…

b. It was through the tongue that the religious leaders – sought to destroy our Lord…
1) (Matt. 26:59-60), “Now the chief priests and the whole council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so they might put Him to death. – They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward.”
2) (Lk. 23:1-2), “Now the whole body of them got up and brought Him before Pilate. – And they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation, forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, - and saying that He Himself is Christ, a King.”
3) (Jn. 8:44), “You are of your father the devil … Whenever he speaks a lie – he speaks from….”

c. It is through our tongues that Satan seeks to destroy the church of our Lord…
1) (II Tim. 2:16-17), “Avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene.”
2) (Tit. 1:10-11), “There are many rebellious men and empty talkers and deceivers, who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families.”
3) (II Pt. 2:1-2), “…there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies … many will fall their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth

d. Words have incredible power to destroy (Pro. 18:21), “Death and life are in the power of the T.”

C. Power to Delight: (vs. 9-12)

1. (Jms. 3:9-12), “With our tongue we bless our Lord & Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the mouth come both blessing and cursing. – My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. – Does a fountain send out from the same opening – both fresh and bitter water?”
a. The presence of a water fountains in an arid climate – is a blessing to all who come to it.
1) In like manner, our words should be a blessing to all those with whom we speak.
2) (Pro. 10:11), “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.”
3) (Col. 4:5), “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were with salt, so that you may know how you ought to respond to each person.”

b. So what kind of words – can we offer as a grace and a blessing to others?
1) Glad words – (Acts 2:46), “Daily continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and….”
2) God’s words - (I Pt. 4:11), “Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, as the oracles of God”
3) True & loving words - (Eph. 4:15), “Speaking the truth in love.”
4) Saving words - (Rom. 1:16; Mk. 16:15-16), “I am not ashamed of the gospel … - Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel. – The one who has believed and has been baptized…!”