THE TONGUE

Peggy Jones

James 3:8-11

But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?

The Bible says the human tongue can be tamed by no man, so we will need God’s help and plenty of it, to keep the tongue under control.

James 3:6

And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.

Proverbs 26:22

The words of a talebearer are like tasty trifles,
      And they go down into the inmost body

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
      And those who love it will eat its fruit

Words can help us or hurt us.

When we are having a hard time - tribulation - what does the tongue like to do.  Talk about it - blame it on somebody.  It likes to complain.  But more than anything, it just likes to talk about the problem (which usually doesn’t do anyone any good.)

Talk about God not the problem - and you will be strengthened instead of weakened.

Trials are part of life God is greater than our problems.

God wants us to have peace in the midst of the storm.

We are to give a good report. (Phil 4:8)  Be Positive

Amos 3:3

Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

Agree with God, not with the Trials

“God has a plan for our lives” and we need to keep the tongue in control.

Words are seeds.  What we speak, we sow, and what we sow, we reap!

We can increase our joy through the simple principle of right speaking.