The Power of the Tongue

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The Power of the Tongue
18 January 2009 Fettes Park Baptist Church
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• James 3 outlines for us 3 essential points about
  the power of words from our tongue.
• Maturity is measured by words
• Destinies are determined by words
• 3.Relationships can be ruined by words

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1.MATURITY IS MEASURED BY WORDS James
31-2  1Not many of you should presume to be
teachers, my brothers, because you know that we
who teach will be judged more strictly. 2We all
stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault
in what he says, he is a perfect (mature) man,
able to keep his whole body in check. (CEV)
...But if you can control your tongue, you are
mature and able to control your whole body.
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Proverbs 1727-28 (NIV)  27 A man of knowledge
uses words with restraint,        and a man of
understanding is even-tempered.  28 Even a fool
is thought wise if he keeps silent,        and
discerning if he holds his tongue.
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2. DESTINIES ARE DETERMINED BY WORDS James
33-8  3When we put bits into the mouths of
horses to make them obey us, we can turn the
whole animal. 4Or 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. Example
Numbers 13 (12 spies) 1 Samuel 17 (David and
Goliath)
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1 Samuel 1745-47 45 David said to the
Philistine, "You come against me with sword and
spear and javelin, but I come against you in the
name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies
of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the
LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike
you down and cut off your head. Today I will give
the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds
of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the
whole world will know that there is a God in
Israel. 47 All those gathered here will know that
it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves
for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give
all of you into our hands."
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3. RELATIONSHIPS CAN BE RUINED BY WORDS James
35-8 5Likewise 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.
6The 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. 7All
kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures
of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by
man, 8but no man can tame the tongue. It is a
restless evil, full of deadly poison.
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• Negative Impact of Words
• Mark 714-15
• 14Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said,
  "Listen to me, everyone, and understand this.
  15Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by
  going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a
  man that makes him 'unclean.'
• Ephesians 429-32
•  29Do 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. 30And do not
  grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were
  sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of
  all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and
  slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be
  kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
  each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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• (b) Positive Impact of Words
• Our tongue will create a positive impact when we
  speak
• Gods word
• Encouraging words
• Positive words
• 4. Prophetic words

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1. Gods Word Matt 44 Jesus said, It is
written Man does not live by bread alone, but
on every word that comes from the mouth of
God. Romans 1017 ........faith comes from
hearing the message, and the message is heard
through the word of Christ.
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2. Encouraging Words Hebrews 1025 25Let us not
give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one
anotherand all the more as you see the Day
approaching. 3. Positive Words Proverbs 1821
Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
(NKJV)
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4. Prophetic Words 1 Corinthians
141,3  1Follow the way of love and eagerly
desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of
prophecy........ everyone who prophesies speaks
to men for their strengthening, encouragement and
comfort.
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James 39-12 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. Can both fresh water and salt
water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can
a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs?
Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
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Matthew 1233-37 Jesus said, 33"Make a tree
good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree
bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is
recognized by its fruit. 34You brood of vipers,
how can you who are evil say anything good? For
out of the overflow of the heart the mouth
speaks. 35The good man brings good things out of
the good stored up in him, and the evil man
brings evil things out of the evil stored up in
him. 36But I tell you that men will have to give
account on the day of judgment for every careless
word they have spoken. 37For by your words you
will be acquitted, and by your words you will be
condemned."
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James 46 (Amplified Bible) But He gives us more
and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet
this evil tendency and all others fully). That is
why He says, God sets Himself against the proud
and haughty, but gives grace continually to the
lowly (those who are humble enough to receive
it). Psalm 1914 May the words of my mouth and
the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your
sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer