Studies

Taming the Tougue

James 3:1-12
~ If you can CONTROL your tongue then you can control your whole body.

• Like a spark setting a forest on fire, so too, words are small but very powerful.

Genesis 3:3
~ This is the first instance of failed communication. Eve thought God had said she shouldn't "touch" the forbidden fruit whereas He had said don't "eat" of it.

• The end result is Adam & Eve being kicked out of the garden of Eden.

Joshua 22:1-34
~ A civil war nearly breaks out because of a misunderstanding.

Proverbs 18:21
~ Words are very POWERFUL and therefore need to be used with CARE.

2. WORDS THAT WOUND.

Proverbs 12:18
~ RECKLESS words can cut a person like a sword.

Proverbs 26:18-19
~ Don't say things that deceive or hurt a person and then justify it by saying "I was only joking."

Proverbs 27:14
~ If you say the right thing at the WRONG time it can still be hurtful.

Proverbs 29:20
~ There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks IMPULSIVELY.

3. WORDS THAT HEAL.

Proverbs 12:25
~ KIND words are uplifting.

Proverbs 16:21
~ PLEASANT words can nourish ones soul and heal ones body.

Proverbs 25:11
~ A WELL TIMED word is as valuable as precious metal or fine art.

Proverbs 15:31
~ REBUKES can be life-giving.

Proverbs 18:13
~ Words of healing only work when we LISTEN CAREFULLY.

Proverbs 27:17
~ As we sharpen one another there will be a few SPARKS.

• Understand the value of well controlled conflict.

CONCLUSION

John 12:49 ~ God instructed Jesus not only WHAT to say but also HOW to say it.

Matthew 12:36-37 ~ We will be JUDGED for every careless word that we utter.