Lifespring!171 “The Tongue: More Powerful Than A Locomotive” TOLL FREE Comment Line (877)433-9091
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The show has so much more than what you see below, but this is the basic text of today’s message.
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Watch What You Say!
The power of the spoken word is incredible. Its effect is so often underestimated by most of us. We really don’t even think about the impact our words can have because speaking just comes to easily to most of us. We have a thought, we speak the words. One, two. There it is. What we think, we say. Like it or not, take it or leave it.
Words can encourage people to new heights, or they can damage and defeat them. And the work they do has lasting, sometimes eternal effects.
Listen to some examples of how words can be used to encourage. I have several here, and I want you to listen carefully. Give the words time to settle in your mind and in your heart. See how hearing them has an effect on you…
Some simple ways: “Good job!” “Well done!” “You really have a talent for that.” “I love you.”
And then here are some encouraging quotes from some wise people…
“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.”
~ Unknown
“it is never too late to be what you might have been.”
–george elliot
“If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call ‘failure’ is not the falling down, but the staying down. ”
~ Mary Pickford
“It doesn’t matter how many say it cannot be done or how many people have tried it before; it’s important to realize that whatever you’re doing, it’s your first attempt at it.”
~ Wally Amos
“Fall seven times, stand up eight.”
~ Japanese Proverb
And here are some scriptures that talk about encouraging words…
Proverbs 16:24 [show] Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
” Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”
Ephesians 4:29 [show] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (ESV)
Hebrews 10:25 [show] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (ESV)
Psalm 10:17 [show] O LORD, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
Philippians 4:8 [show] Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)
Jeremiah 29:11 [show] For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (ESV)
1 John 3:16 [show] By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (ESV)
John 10:10 [show] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. (ESV)
What does the Bible say about my role in encouraging others?
2 Corinthians 1:3,4 [show] Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (ESV) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (ESV)
This past week, the Supreme Court of the United States made a ruling that upheld private citizens’ right to own guns. Some of you probably agreed with that ruling, and some of you probably disagreed. Be that as it may, I would like to submit to you that your tongue has far more power than any gun that has ever been, or ever will be made.
Proverbs 15:4 [show] A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Proverbs 18:21 [show] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
James 3 [show] Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (ESV)
1 Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.2 We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,
8 but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
And then James goes on to say that we should yield to the wisdom and direction of God, and when we do, James says just a few verses later, the rewards are great.
Listen to
James 3:17 [show] But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (ESV)
And better yet, listen to this:
2 Sam 23:2 [show] "The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.
How very awesome is that??? Our tongues, these incredibly powerful instruments, that can do so much destruction, can also be the instruments of God, to bring His message to a lost and dying generation. What an awesome thing to consider.
So we need to be aware of the power of our words and ask ourselves, “Do my words build up or tear down? Do they help or hinder? Are mine the words that Jesus would say?”
Now, if you are at all like me, you have times, more times than you would like to admit, where you let words fly that Jesus would most definitely not say. And I’m not just talking about the vulgar four letter words. I’m talking about demeaning phrases, hate filled speech, boastful attitudes, lies, gossip, you probably know your area of weakness, just like I know mine.
And it is oh, so easy afterward to say, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I couldn’t help myself. It’s just who I am. Me and my big mouth.” Well, as I see it, there are two things wrong with that sorry excuse.
1) You can’t unsay the words. They are out there, and they will continue to ring in the ears of the hearers for a very, very, very long time. And they will have long lasting effects. And the worse the words were, the longer the effects.
2) You CAN, and you are EXPECTED to harness your tongue. That’s right. If you are a believer, you can keep your mouth shut. You do NOT have to blurt out whatever vile thought your tongue would like to vomit. Want proof?
Let’s first start on the negative side, ok?
Proverbs 6:16-19 [show] There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
(((Listen for how many of these are done with the tongue…)))
17 haughty eyes,a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,feet that are quick to rush into evil,
19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.”
There were seven things there that God detests, and three of them are done with the tongue: a lying tongue, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.
So, why does God delineate things that He detests? To show the wrong of the things, to be sure, but we know that when the Holy Spirit controls the life of the believer, He gives us power to obey, we are no longer slaves to the sin. Right?
Want more proof that we can control our tongue? Here’s another one from the negative side…
In speaking about evil men, King David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, said:
Psalm 50:19 [show] "You give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
Did you hear that? He said “You…harness your tongue to deceit.” What does a harness do? It controls, holds, restrains. So, the evil man makes his tongue deceive.
Well, if an evil man makes his tongue deceive, can’t a Godly man exercise control in the opposite direction? God’s Word says he must:
1 Peter 3:10 [show] For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit;
Not clear enough for you? Then listen to James:
James 1:26 [show] If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. (ESV)
Yikes! If I don’t keep a tight rein on the things I say, I’m not much of a follower of Jesus. That’s basically what that says. All of my good works, everything I do in the name of Christ, is worthless if I don’t tame my tongue. Which makes sense, doesn’t it? If I do good things, but tear others down with my words, what does that say about me, and more importantly, what does it say about the power of Jesus in my life? Hmmm. Something to think about isn’t it?
Remember, Christians, we have a choice. If we have been made new creations by the blood of Jesus, and if we have the Holy Spirit within us, then we are not at the mercy of our whims, our passions, our impulses. We can choose to do the Godly thing, or the ungodly.
“But Steve,” you say. “Come on. Sometimes I just can’t help myself. The words are out before I know it. I just blurt them out. I’m sorry once they’re said, I really am. And I know I shouldn’t have said them. But sometimes, in the heat of the moment, they just come out! Does that mean that I’m not a Christian?”
No, I wouldn’t say that. If you sincerely are sorry, if you just had a moment of weakness, then what I would say you are is human. And in pretty good company. Listen to the apostle Paul:
Romans 7 [show] Or do you not know, brothers--for I am speaking to those who know the law--that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. (ESV)
20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?25 Thanks be to God–through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. ;
Romans 8 [show] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV)
1 Therefore, (or…since that is so….) there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.
I heartily recommend that you go read Romans 8 [show] There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba! Father!" The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ESV) in its entirety right now if at all possible. This is one of my favorite chapters of the entire Bible, and it really speaks to this issue of sin in the life of the believer, and the victory we can have because of what Jesus did for us. I can’t take time to read the whole chapter to you here, but every believer needs to read and reread this chapter until it becomes a part of you.
So, the message is this:
Words are powerful. More powerful than a locomotive. They can tear down and they can build up. They can bring death, and they can bring life. The evil man uses words to do evil, the godly man can bring God’s words of hope, love and Good News. We are responsible to control which type of words we use. And when we fail, there is forgiveness because of Jesus sacrifice for you and for me.
Music on today’s show
Chris Christensen…”Tame De Tongue”
Chris’ Podcast links: Amateur Traveler and The Bible Study Podcast
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