How does my tongue behave?
We LOOKED at our tongues, with our focus on the power our words have to 'direct' our lives.
We want to LEARN how the tongue is to behave to direct our lives in the right direction.
Oh Lord, may we receive Your Word to us today! Please give us the eyes to see and the ears to hear You speak to us! Help us to truly grasp the importance of our words. Thank you!
Let GODcha steer you on the right path.
Let's read James 3:1-12 again, asking the 5W's and H.
Zoom in on James 3:3-5.
Why did James compare our tongues to a bit and a rudder?
THINK: consider the smallness of the tongue, but also its power.
THINK: believer's are given the power to control the tongue. If we don't control our tongue, it will control us.
Picking up where we left off yesterday, let's zoom in on a few more Cross References to see what God says about 'the tongue', 'mouth', 'speech'.
1. How is the tongue suppose to behave?
Are my words pleasant and sweet and healing?
We see: the power of the tongue.
We also see: the tongue affects the speaker, the one who loves to use the tongue, whether in a good way, or in a bad way. They shall eat its fruit, meaning they will reap the good or bad that arises from what they speak.
Do I realize the power of my words?
Do I speak words of death?
Or, do I speak words of life?
What must I do to speak God's Words of life to others?
When and how have I eaten the fruit of what I have spoken?
Respond to God….LIVE it out!
When and why have I let unwholesome words come from my mouth?
What must I do to speak only that which is good for edification so it will give grace (graciousness) to those who hear?
THINK: What does salt do?
It flavors – my speech brings forth the flavor of Christ.
It preserves, stopping corruption – my speech should not be corrupt and never contribute to someone's corruption.
It causes thirst – my speech should make others thirsty for Christ.
Is my speech with grace?
Cause others to thirst for Christ?
2. What does our speech have to do with dwelling with the Lord?
Will I dwell with the Lord because I speak truth?
Am I known to habitually slander, or not slander?
3. Who will NOT dwell with the Lord?
Does my tongue practice causing enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions?
What will I do to enter the kingdom of God and not be thrown into the lake of fire?
Has the power of Life and Death.
Can be for good or evil.
Kind, loving, comforting, encouraging words.
The Tongue: Can determine if we will dwell with the Lord!
How has the Lord stirred my heart about my words?
Is the habit of my life to speak words of love that build up, encourage, comfort, bring peace and joy?
Or, is the habit of my life to grumble and complain, speak angry, hateful words that tear down, destroy, rip apart, and devastate?
Meditate with your heart and ponder in your spirit what James is saying, (Psa 77:6).
Add to your List about the 'right way to use our tongues'.
OH FATHER GOD, we thank you for Your Word of Truth! My heart's cry is that we truly grasp how life and death are in the power of the tongue. May we apply the power You have given us. May we carefully guard our every word. May we make the conscious effort to speak pleasant words that give life, and edify You and others. Words that strengthen, encourage and build up, not criticize and put down. May we make the right choice to be slow to speak, sensitive to You, Holy Spirit, letting You lead us to direct our tongue in the right way, then we will be able to lead (direct) our body in the right direction! We ask this in our Lord Jesus' name. Amen!
You are doing great! Soon we will pull this all together.
Next: we will check out the tongue's power to 'destroy'.
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