Taming the Tongue #1

- the last few weeks we've been studying biblical
communication
- I trust that these lessons have had an impact on the way
you and your family communicate

- we decided that while we were on this subject, we would
move up lesson 11 from the Christian Life and Growth
lessons and talk about "taming the tongue"
- there's still a lot of important Scripture on this subject
and we want to be sure we've covered it thoroughly

- to give you an idea of the schedule:
- Today, we'll be looking at some "Basic Insights" and
major passages on this subject. We'll try to get down
through Roman II in your handout.

- Next week, we'll try to finish this subject. We went
over some of the material a few weeks back, but there
are some other points in the notes that we definitely
need to consider.

- Lord willing, two weeks from today we'll talk about a
subject that should naturally "flow out of" a
discussion of communication--and that is the subject of
witnessing.
- We want to talk about how we can use our tongues to
tell others about our Lord, and what God's Word
says about that important subject.

- let's begin with:

I. Basic Insights

A. Can any person tame or control his tongue by his own
strength? - James 3:8

No - "the tongue can no man tame"

B. Note five descriptions of the destructive nature of an
unconsecrated tongue (James 3:6).

1) fire (INPUT - point - can do serious damage, can
easily get out of control)

2) world of iniquity - (NASB - the very world of
iniquity) - point - may appear small-but has
potential for great evil)

3) defiles the whole body - (INPUT - in what sense?
- if I sin with my south, it affects ability to
please Lord with other areas - cf. the husband
who says something sinful to wife then tries to
"make it up" by hugging, etc. Point - forget
about using your arms that way!

4) sets on fire the course of nature - (NASB - sets
on fire the course of our life) - again the
emphasis here is on the unbelievable potential
the tongue has to affect all areas of our lives.

INPUT - how is this true? cf. words like "I hate
you", "I want a divorce," etc.

5) set on the fire of hell (NASB - set on fire by
hell.)

- James is using the strongest terminology
possible to describe both the potential impact
and the potential wickedness of our tongues.

C. Why is it humanly impossible to control the tongue?
(Matt. 12:34) INPUT?

- my tongue is naturally going to reflect my heart.
If my heart is not being supernaturally changed
through regeneration and progressive
sanctification, it will naturally reflect what's on
the inside.

D. Through whose power can we obey Scriptural truth?
(Phil. 4:13)

- through Christ who strengthens me

- INPUT - in reference to what we've been studying
the last few weeks and what we've just talked
about, what question(s) should we be asking?

- have I been asking God to enable/empower me as
I seek to obey His Word on communication that
we've studied thus far?

- on page two, there's a long list of verses that deal with
this subject.

- INPUT - what should our attitude be toward a list like
this?

cf. Bethany (unsaved family member unable to come to
graduation - But Dad, we are going to be saying some
Bible verses. I though it would be good for him to
hear those verses. Maybe he would be saved.)

- some of these verses contain concepts we've already
studied. We'll move over them quickly. Others contain
some ideas that we'll stop and discuss.

Wrong uses:

1. Eph. 4:25 - lying

2. Eph. 4:29 - cutting

3. Eph. 4:31 - Speaking with bitterness, wrath, anger,
clamor

4. Eph. 5:4 - filthiness, foolish talking, jesting (NASB -
coarse jesting)

INPUT - what are some ways this one could be
violated?

5. Col. 3:8 - anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy
communication

6. James 3:10 - cursings

7. Prov. 10:18 - lying, slander

8. Prov. 11:13 - talebearer, reveals secrets

9. Prov. 15:1 - grievous words

10. Prov. 17:9 - repeating matters

11. Prov. 19:5 - false witness

12. Eccle. 5:3 - lots of talking

Sarcasm

13. Prov. 26:18, 19 - cutting words--then saying it was
"in sport"

14. Matt. 12:34-37 - idle words

15. Gal. 5:15, 16 - "biting and devouring one another"

Right Uses:

(INPUT - why would it be important to study both the wrong
uses and the right uses?) (hit put off/on)

1. Acts 1:8 - witnessing

2. Prov. 10:21 - righteous talk

3. Prov. 15:1 - answering softly

4. Prov. 15:7 - speaking wisely, dispersing knowledge

5. Prov. 15:8 - praying

6. Prov. 15:23 - speaking at the right time

7. Prov. 17:28 - holding peace at the appropriate times

8. Prov. 20:5 - asking good questions, speaking in a way
that helps a person focus on the inner person

9. Ps. 33:1 - rejoicing

10. Isa. 50:4 - encouraging others, speaking at right times

11. Rom. 13:8 - speaking lovingly

12. Psalm 33:2, 3 - singing (a new song)

13. John 16:24 - petition

14. Eph. 4:15 - truthfully, lovingly

15. Eph. 4:29 - edifying

II. Projects

A. Write "R" for right usage and "W" for wrong usage of
the tongue

1. silence: always - W sometimes - R

- INPUT - verses to support your answer?
- what should not be the deciding
factors?
- what should be the deciding factors?

2. profanity - W

3. sarcasm - almost always - W

4. talking to a person who is not part of the
solution (gossip) - W

5. boasting - W