REAL FAITH: Real Faith Tames The Tongue!<\/p>\n
Ptr. Bong Saquing<\/p>\n
Have you ever said something you regretted immediately? Sometimes, despite pure intentions, we can do harm with our words because of the way we say things. That’s why scripture reminds us that our speech carries incredible power. Real faith isn\u2019t only reflected in what we do, but in how we live out what we say in truth and love.<\/p>\n
REAL FAITH TAMES THE TONGUE<\/p>\n
\u2022 PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 POWER TO BUILD OR DESTROY\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 PROBLEM OF THE HEART<\/span><\/p>\n PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY<\/p>\n (James 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 1:5-7, Matthew 12:36-37, Psalm 39:1, Psalm 141:3, Ephesians 4:29)<\/p>\n As we move into chapter 3, James has gone from preaching to meddling! He has just made it clear that genuine faith works. If God has changed your heart through the new birth, the saving faith that He granted to you will inevitably show itself in a life of good deeds. But now he moves from the generality of good deeds to the specifics of the words that you speak. Genuine faith yields to Christ\u2019s lordship.<\/p>\n To tame the terrible tongue, we must recognize the tremendous magnitude of the battle that we face.<\/p>\n James\u2019 point is that a man should not take on the role of teacher unless God has called him to it, because teachers will incur a stricter judgment. We who teach God\u2019s Word will be more accountable, because our words affect more people. Any time that we teach, we should keep in mind the serious fact that we will stand before the Lord to give an account.<\/p>\n WAYS WE STUMBLE WITH OUR WORDS (H.E.A.R.T.)<\/p>\n H – Hurt Filled Speech (Speaking out of pain\/hurt)<\/p>\n Lashing out because were wounded<\/p>\n \u201cA wounded heart often wields a sharp tongue\u201d<\/p>\n E – Exaggeration (Stretching the truth)<\/p>\n Overstating faults or stories<\/p>\n Proverbs 12:22 The LORD detests lying lips,<\/p>\n but he delights in people who are trustworthy.<\/p>\n A – Angry words (Speaking before calming down)<\/p>\n Letting emotion lead instead of wisdom<\/p>\n James 1:19-20 Listening and Doing<\/p>\n My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.<\/p>\n R – Relational sins of speech<\/p>\n Gossip, Slander, Whispering, Triangulating<\/p>\n Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out;<\/p>\n without a gossip a quarrel dies down.<\/p>\n T – Toxic talk<\/p>\n Constant negativity<\/p>\n Critical spirit, complaining<\/p>\n Philippians 2:14<\/p>\n Do everything without grumbling or arguing,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat fills the heart eventually leaks through the mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n Matthew 12:36-37<\/p>\n But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.\u201d<\/p>\n POWER TO BUILD OR DESTROY<\/p>\n (James 3:3-7, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 18:21, Romans 10:9-13)<\/p>\n Ephesians 4:29<\/p>\n Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.<\/p>\n HOW DO YOU SPEAK:<\/p>\n \u2043 When you\u2019re tired?<\/span><\/p>\n \u2043 When you\u2019re criticized?<\/span><\/p>\n \u2043 When you\u2019re at home, not church?<\/span><\/p>\n \u2043 When no one is impressed?<\/span><\/p>\n Proverbs 18:21<\/p>\n The tongue has the power of life and death,<\/p>\n and those who love it will eat its fruit.<\/p>\n First, James tackles the tongue. His bottom line: the tongue is unbelievably powerful, and it cannot be fully controlled. A person who could perfectly control his or her speech 100 percent of the time would have already arrived at full control of every aspect of the entire body, and their entire life. Yes, the tongue is small. So is the bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder on a ship, or the spark that ignites a forest. That forest fire is the one James lingers on. He calls the tongue a fire that sets the whole course of our lives on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. He calls it a restless, unstable evil, full of fatal poison.<\/p>\n Marriages don\u2019t usually collapse overnight – they\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 erode through daily speech.<\/p>\n Churches don\u2019t split over theology as often as they split over conversations.<\/p>\n Bottom line: Your tongue maybe small, but it steers your life.<\/p>\n James turns up the intensity:<\/p>\n \u2022 Fire<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Poison\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Corruption\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Hell itself<\/span><\/p>\n He\u2019s not exaggerating – he\u2019s diagnosing<\/p>\n James does not say that the tongue is untamable. He says that no one can tame it. It is humanly untamable. Only God can tame it. James does not state that because he wants us to get a clear view of the horrible monster that we must do battle with. When the Holy Spirit controls your heart on a daily basis, over time the fruit of the Spirit will appear. These include love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control, which all relate to the control of the tongue. To tame this terrible tongue, you must daily walk in the Spirit, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Ultimately, an evil tongue is the tool of an evil heart. That is James\u2019 final point.<\/p>\n PROBLEM OF THE HEART<\/p>\n (James 3:7-12, Luke 6:45, Isaiah 50:4, Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 24:26)<\/p>\n \u201cEvery speech problem is a heart problem\u201d<\/p>\n Real Faith Sounds Like Jesus<\/p>\n If you want to tame the terrible tongue, the place to start is with your heart. Work daily at taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Walk daily under the control of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:18). Renew your mind by memorizing Scripture (Rom. 12:1-2; Ps. 119:11). Memorize James 1:19-20: \u201cThis you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.\u201d Memorize Ephesians 4:29: \u201cLet no unwholesome [lit., rotten] word proceed from you mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.\u201d<\/p>\n WHY WORDS MATTER<\/p>\n \u2022 Words can heal or harm<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Words can build or break<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Words reveal the condition of the heart<\/span><\/p>\n Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.<\/p>\n REMEMBER THIS<\/p>\n \u2022 Salitang nagbibigay-buhay \/ Words that give life<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Salitang nagpapalakas ng loob \/ Words that strengthen\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 Salitang totoo na may malasakit \/ Truth spoken with love<\/span><\/p>\n WORDS THAT GIVE LIFE<\/p>\n (Salitang nagbibigay-buhay)<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cMahalaga ka\u201d \/ You matter<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cSalamat sa\u2019yo – malaking tulong ka\u201d \/\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Thank you – you\u2019re a big help<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cButi andito ka\u201d \/ I\u2019m glad you\u2019re here<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cHindi ka nag-iisa\u201d \/ You are not alone\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Life-giving words remind people they belong<\/p>\n WORDS THAT ENCOURAGE GROWTH<\/p>\n (Salitang nagpapalakas ng loob)<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cNakikita ko ang ginagawa ng Diyos sa\u2019yo-ituloy mo lang\u201d \/ I see God at work in you-keep going\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cUnti-unti, pero may paglago\u201d \/ It may be slow, but there is growth\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cAndito lang kami, susuporta\u201d \/ We\u2019re here with you-we support you<\/span><\/p>\n Encouragement says, \u201cYou don\u2019t have to walk this alone\u201d<\/p>\n WORDS THAT SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE<\/p>\n (Salitang totoo pero may malasakit)<\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cDahil mahal kita, pwede ba akong magsabi ng mahirap pakinggan?\u201d \/ Because I care about you, may I share something difficult?<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cBaka mali ako, pero ito ang napapansin ko\u201d \/ I may be wrong, but this is what I\u2019m noticing\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2022 \u201cSa pribado ko sinasabi-ayokong mapahiya\u201d \/ I\u2019m saying this in private to protect your dignity\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Truth spoken with love heals, not humiliates<\/p>\n THE CCF TONGUE TEST<\/p>\n 1. Is it necessary?<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Is it true?<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Is it spoken in love?<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Is it encouraging?<\/span><\/p>\n 5. I\u2019m s it glorifying to God?<\/span><\/p>\n Before you speak THINK<\/p>\n 1. Is it True?<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Is it Helpful \/ Harmful?<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Is it Inspirational?<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Is it Necessary?<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Is it Kind?<\/span><\/p>\n THINK of God\u2019s glory or honor<\/p>\n Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,<\/p>\n but a kind word cheers it up.<\/p>\n Kind words – TRANSFORM WORRY TO JOY<\/p>\n Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,<\/p>\n but a harsh word stirs up anger.<\/p>\n Gentle words – BREAK THROUGH ANGER<\/p>\n Proverbs 16:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.<\/p>\n Pleasant words – ENCOURAGE LEARNING<\/p>\n Colossians 4:6<\/p>\n Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.<\/p>\n