GENUINE: Small yet Powerful

Read James 3:1-12.

“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” James 3:5.

There is power in the spoken word. Someone once referred to our tongue as a “concealed weapon” that each of us has. All we need to do is open our mouths and it can do damage.

A good gauge to measure the spiritual maturity of a person is by how he uses his tongue.

The words of a person can give you a clue of what kind of individual he is.

James says that the one who can control his tongue is considered perfect.

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. James 3:2.

The bible says that the tongue cannot be tamed (James 3:8). It is the most exercised and least controlled muscle in our body. With it, we can either build people up or tear them down.

“When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise”
Proverbs 10:19.

There is a direct relationship between the heart and the tongue.

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart,
and these make a man ‘unclean’”
Matthew 15:18.

“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality,
theft, false testimony, slander”
Matthew 15:19.

NATURE OF THE TONGUE:

Sets Direction of your Life.

“When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn
the whole animal” James 3:3.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit” Proverbs 18:21.

Even the smallest of words set big directions. When we accepted Jesus into our lives, we declared that “He is LORD.” When we get married, we say “I do.” What we speak to our children also sets them to a direction. The words that we speak become reality. Words set a direction in the heart.


Can bring Destruction.
“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” James 3:5.

“The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to a man's inmost parts” Proverbs 26:22.

“With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” James 3: 9-10.

What are our motives when we open our mouths to speak? A few, seemingly insignificant words can destroy friendships, marriages, ministries or the church.

3. It needs Dependence on God.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man,but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be” James 3:7-10.

No man can tame the tongue, but it does not mean that it is untamable. Only the Spirit of God can tame the tongue. In order for our tongue to be tamed, the spiritual heart must be changed. A changed heart leads to a changed language. A new heart produces a new tongue. Only God can change a person’s heart.

“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” Proverbs 4:23.

Our salvation does not automatically change the way we live. Discipleship and dependence on the Holy Spirit is needed. When we depend on the Holy Spirit on our Christian walk, we bear the fruit of the Spirit.

GODLY SPEECH REVEALS GENUINE FAITH.
“The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” Luke 6:45.