Pastor Steve's Sermon Notes
October 13, 2002

Our mouths get us into a lot of trouble. James talks more about the tongue than anybody else in the New Testament. Every chapter in the book of James says something about managing your mouth.

Three Reasons To Watch What I Say:

My Tongue Directs Where I go

It has tremendous influence and control over your life. Like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder on a huge ocean liner your tongue controls the direction of your life wherever you want to go, and a little bit of a word or phrase can influence the total direction of your life. Your tongue is the steering wheel of your life. It is the guidance system. If you don't like the way you're headed right now, change the way you talk.

My Tongue Can Destroy What I have

James says that your tongue can destroy like a forest fire. You can lose it all. A careless camper can destroy an entire national forest overnight. A careless word can destroy a life overnight. Gossip is like fire. It spreads quickly and it wrecks havoc. I wonder how many people because of a careless work have destroyed their marriage, or their career, or their reputation, or the reputation of another, or their church, or a friendship.

My Tongue Displays Who I Am

It reveals my real character. It tells what's really inside of me. Do you struggle with an inconsistent tongue? James says we all have it. We love to speak lovingly in one breath and then lash our in the next.

What's the problem? Why do we do that? Why can we genuinely mean something in love and kindness one minute and then genuinely mean something in hate the next minute?

James gives the answer in verses 11-12. He says consider the source. Whatever is in the well comes out in the eater. My problem is not really my tongue. My problem is my heart. What's inside is what comes out. My mouth eventually betrays what is really on the inside of me. I can fool you and pretend but eventually my tongue is going to catch me. It's going to let you know what's really inside.

If you've got a problem with your tongue, it's much more serious than you think. You have a heart problem. A person with a harsh tongue has an angry heart. A person with a negative tongue has a fearful heart. A person with an overactive tongue has an unsettled heart. A person with a boasting tongue has an insecure heart. A person with a filthy tongue has an impure heart. A person who is critical all the time has a bitter heart.

On the other hand, a person who is always encouraging has a happy heart. A person who speaks gently has a loving heart. A person who speaks truthfully has an honest heart.

What Is The Solution?

Get a New Heart Rid yourself of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit!" (Ezekiel 18:31)

Ask God For Help Every Day "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips." (Psalm 141:3)

Think Before You Speak "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." (James 1:19)