Worldliness
Worldliness Misuse of the Tongue
Being A Christian Affects The Way One Talks Ps 39:1 I said, "I will guard my ways, Lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, While the wicked are before me."
Many Misuses of the Tongue Lying Cursing Casual Oaths Angry Words Gossip Flattery Grumbling Complaining How We Misuse Our Tongues In Dealing With One Another
Misuse of the Tongue I. Tongue Is A Danger
I. Tongue Is A Danger • It is never fully tamed • James 3:8 - “no man can tame the tongue” • Illustration: Horse broke - can’t fully trust him (Psa. 32:9) • Even most mature - must work at it!
I. Tongue Is A Danger • It is never fully tamed • Will give an account for every word (Matt. 12:36-37) • Easily guilty of what say is true of others • Can sin with the tongue • Rom. 1:29 • Gal. 5:20 • 2 Cor. 12:20
Misuse of the Tongue I. Tongue Is A Danger II. What It Can Do
II. What It Can Do • Sin against a brother (Matt. 18:15-17) • Slander (Jas. 4:11-12; Prov. 10:18; 1 Pet. 2:1) “Accusing falsely…given to finding fault with the demeanor and conduct of others, and spreading their innuendos and criticisims in the church” (Vine, IV:39)
II. What It Can Do • Sin against a brother (Matt. 18:15-17) • Slander (Jas. 4:11-12; Prov. 10:18; 1 Pet. 2:1) • Gossip / Busybody (1 Tim. 5:13) “To be working round about, instead of at one’s own business…to be meddling with, or bustling about, other people’s matters…some who are not busied in their own business, but are over busied in that of others” (Vines)
II. What It Can Do • Sin against a brother (Matt. 18:15-17) • Slander (Jas. 4:11-12; Prov. 10:18; 1 Pet. 2:1) • Gossip / Busybody (1 Tim. 5:13) • Backbiting (Rom. 1:30; Prov. 25:23; Psa. 15:3)
Misuse of the Tongue I. Tongue Is A Danger II. What It Can Do III. Effect It Can Have
III. Effect It Can Have • Destroy neighbor (Prov. 11:9) • Reveal secrets (Prov. 11:13; 20:19) • Sows strife (Prov. 16:28) • Separates friends (Prov. 16:28; 17:9) • Destroy a church (Gal. 5:15) • Like poison (Jas. 3:8) • Fire (Jas. 3:6)
Misuse of the Tongue I. Tongue Is A Danger II. What It Can Do III. Effect It Can Have IV. How To Prevent It
IV. How To Prevent It • Restraint
Restraint • Prov. 10:19 • Prov. 15:7 • Prov. 16:23 • Prov. 17:27-28 • Don’t have to say all you want to say
IV. How To Prevent It • Restraint • Careful what say to & about others
Be Careful 1. What you tell may be confidential 2. What you say could be taken differently than you intend 3. Prov. 11:13 4. Prov. 29:11 5. Jas. 1:19 6. What you say may be repeated / quoted
IV. How To Prevent It • Restraint • Careful what say to & about others • Careful how choose your words
How • Make sure you convey what you want • How? • Use tact (Prov. 15:1) • Think before you speak (Prov. 15:28; 12:18) • Watch timing (Prov. 15:23)
IV. How To Prevent It • Restraint • Careful what say to & about others • Careful how choose your words • Careful what you repeat
Repeat • Two sides to story (Prov. 18:17) • 2. Don’t jump to conclusions (Prov. 18:13)
IV. How To Prevent It • Restraint • Careful what say to & about others • Careful how choose your words • Careful what you repeat • Give the benefit of the doubt
Benefit 1 Cor. 13:7 “But it must mean, that in regard to the conduct of others, there is a disposition to put the best construction on it; to believe that they may be actuated by good motives, and that they intend no injury; and that there is a willingness to suppose, as far as can be, that what is done is done consistently with friendship, good feeling, and virtue.” - Barnes “Is ever ready to believe the best of every person, and will credit no evil of any but on the most positive evidence.” Clarke Prov. 14:15 Do I have evidence? Is there another Explanation? Prov. 18:13 Prov. 29:20 Hasty words
Misuse of the Tongue I. Tongue Is A Danger II. What It Can Do III. Effect It Can Have IV. How To Prevent It
Every one of us can work harder at being careful about: • What we say • How we say it • To whom we say it
