The power of life and death is in the tongue….. Prov 18:21
Ref Txt: James 3:1-12
Introduction: Do you remember this talented lady singer who captivated the hearts of the American people with her golden voice decades ago? She could have been a mega star in “ American Idol” these days. Along with her brother, Richard, they gave us such timeless hits as “Close To You” , “We’ve Only Just Begun”, &“Rainy Days and Mondays.” But the show biz world seemed to come to an end when suddenly she died at the young age of 32, right in the prime of her career. Following her death, it was revealed that she suffered from the eating disorder anorexia nervosa. The USA TODAY later reported her eating disorder started years earlier when an interviewer once referred to her as “Richard ’s little chubby sister. ” That reporter’s words ignited THE FIRE that eventually claimed her precious life. Her name –KAREN CARPENTER.
In 1925 a brilliant young man published Volume I of his book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle) and a year later, he released Volume II, another best seller. In his writings, he revealed his political ideology and his distorted anti-Semitic sentiments. He earned title as Time Magazine’s “Person of the Year” in 1938, nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1939, and one of People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1943. History tells us he suffered several rejections, emotional hurt that led to depression , later he was responsible for the genocide of over 6 MILLION JEWS in the Holocaust then committed suicide after WW2. His name… Adolf Hitler.
WORDS ARE POWERFUL. Prov 18:21 “The tongue has the power of life and death,..” Soft words sung in a lullaby can lull a baby to sleep. Hateful words can incite a mob to riot. ( Ayatolah Komehni, Osama Bin Laden). Excited words can fire up a football team before they take the field. Courageous words can inspire soldiers to go into battle. (General Patton, W.Churchill). Encouraging words can lift someone’s spirits. Eloquent words can give rise to a bold dream.
Now, raise your hand if you have NEVER been in a situation where you wished you could take back what you had just said. OK – so raise your hands if you FREQUENTLY find yourself in a situation where you wished you could take back what you just said. Wow… I’m with you too.
Ps 64:3”They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows” Once words have been unleashed from the tongue they can never be retrieved. Someone can say something hurtful to you and later apologize and say, “I take back what I said earlier.” But that doesn’t erase the hurt of their words, does it? Prov 12:18 “Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Psalm 39:1, “..I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth.” Matt 12:36 nkj “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” Perhaps we need to meter our speech, like in taxi, or maybe some people need to be gagged to stop talking.
Prov 10:19 “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Be careful with our words.. words can kill or can get u killed! When you are faced with a situation or a problem, (say for ex. one of your children) broke your glasses or your guitar string, ,… don’t make pronouncement or pre- judgement — “you David, you always break things in the house” .. instead , ask questions instead of blame…(ask wisdom from HS.. how to turn the opportunity into “teachable moments”) Remember people are more important than things. David, come here pls.. do you know what happened here, how did it break?
Words of life energize people. That’s why I like the name of our church. Many times people asks me , “How’s church? Or what kind of church you have? “ Let me ask you same .. ? Now, the way you respond will tell me whether I want to come to that church or not!!! Check it out do you speak blessing or curse to your own church -body of Christ? — What’s in it for me? Do you want to know how I will answer..? –My church is the best!! I love my church! (ExcitedJ) Jesus is present in our church. The HS is present in our church. God’s Holy Presence is in our church.! We have lovely, lively & passionate people who advances God’s kingdom. Dynamic & solemn worship that glorify Jehovah YWHW. Relevant message that challenge & help us grow in faith & relationship with Jesus & with one another. Plus we have good food.. we have beautiful & handsome people… We love our church, we love Jesus!
That’s the identity of our church. We speak the Word of Life! Broken bones heal and we forget about them. But often the pain inflicted by someone’s careless words stays with us a long, long time. Chances are you can still remember the most hurtful words anyone ever spoke to you. I know I can. Think of the person who told you that you were ugly or stupid.
Think of the person who told you that you were incompetent or that you never do anything right.
Think of the person who told you that you would never amount to anything. THINK
Someone has said that great minds (think) discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people.
Why is it so hard to say kind things with our tongues? Where does all the garbage come from that comes out of our mouths? Jesus gives us some insight in Matthew 12:34 and 15:19: “…For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”…for out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, lies and slander.” If you want to stop using death words and begin speaking words of life, you need a different heart. The good news is that Jesus specializes in heart transplants!!!!
Now turn to James 3:
POWER TO DIRECT: Just like the bit in the horses’ mouth (v3) and the rudder on a ship,(4) our tongue is not so big. But it has the power to direct and influence the lives of others. And it even has the power to direct our own lives. Think of the things you say to yourself .. they are like self fulfilling prophecies. If you keep telling yourself things like, “I’m stupid!” “I’m ugly” “I can’t do this” “I can’t do that” “I’m no good to anybody” ………those words will direct the course of your life on a downward spiral.
But if you say things like: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength!” “I am willing to try.” “I am willing to learn!” “I refuse to quit!” “I will NOT give up!” …………..those empowering words will set you on a positive course in life!
POWER to DESTROY: (Read verses 5,6) someone’s reputation, their good name and their honor. (gossip). Our words have the POWER to DESTROY someone’s hopes, their dreams and their ambitions. Our words have the POWER to DESTROY someone’s friendships. Reckless words are words spoken in haste, words spoken in anger, words spoken in frustration, words spoken in ignorance, words spoken with no forethought of the hurt and damage they will do.
**** Untameable: (Read verses 7-8) I don’t want you to leave here today trying to tame your tongue by your own strength. It will take more than just willpower and determination. In its natural state, the tongue is a “restless evil”. It’s like a ferocious beast that will not be subdued and like a serpent that’s full of deadly poison. (Read verses 9-10) contradictory nature: traitor, double faced. NOTE v 9 – USUAL TARGET, OBJECT OF OUR TONGUE … People who are CREATED in the IMAGE OF GOD!!! The IDentity of people, is image of God, and we should BLESS people’s IDentity instead of CURSE. The enemy, the DEVIL wants to curse our ID.. so we lose the essence of “WHO WE ARE.”. insecure of our image, we want to project someone we are not, wearing masks of pretentions to cover up weakness or our perceived weakness!
