10 Dec TAMING THE TONGUE

“People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish, but no one can tame the tongue”. James 3:4. Communication is expressing how we feel and what we think, yet it is increasingly difficult to communicate in such a way that our speech honors the Lord. Speaking is special gift from God. What we say and how we say it can either have a tremendous positive effect or a tremendous negative effect.

We speak between 18 and 25 thousand words a day. That is very huge! There’s a lot of potential for good and harm in our words. True faith will be demonstrated by speech. The tongue is the revealer of the heart. The tongue as the living symbol of what is in the heart.
AN UNTAMED TONGUE can wide spread destruction for the whole body the tongue has huge potential for both good and evil “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.” James 3:10.

BIBLE DESCRIBES THE TONGUE AS A:

• piercing sword
• a weapon of ruin
• a scorching fire
• an instrument of harmful gossip
• an agent of false teachings
• a device for lies,
• complaint and argument.

CHECK THE WORDS WHICH WE USE, CAN BE HARMFUL:

• putting others down
• pride
• manipulation
• exaggeration
• flattery
• ridicule
• sarcasm.

SPEAKING AT ALL CAN BE HELPFUL

• Affirming words can healing wounds
• Blessing words can merciful and sincere
• Can sow seeds of peace
• Direction
• Encouraging
• Faith

SINS OF TONGUE: ‘A TONGUE 3 INCHES LONG CAN KILL A MAN 6 FOOT HIGH’
The entire Bible itemizes the many sins that it is possible for the tongue to commit sin. the kinds of sins the tongue is capable of committing
SIN OF GOSSIP is perhaps not the most ―serious sin that the tongue can commit. But it is nevertheless, damaging to other people. Gossip is kind of hearsay information that becomes part of the grapevine. So often it‘s passed- along information without malicious intent simplest way to check gossip out is to go directly to the source.

SIN OF SLANDER involves character assassination. It is made, sometimes, with conscious will, sometimes, perhaps without a conscious will.

SIN OF BOASTING: This is a false form of self-esteem. Self-esteem is a sinful nature, where we make ourselves better than we are or better than other people

SIN OF QUARRELING involves speech, is used in anger and continual confrontation with another person, which is needless

SIN OF CURSING is more than simply invoking God ‘s name in vain or using an oath. But cursing can include negative, put-down speech, where we curse—pull down—rather than bless—which is to speak well of. Cursing can include even the whole body of language that maybe is in the category of fault-finding.

SIN OF FOOLISHNESS is a constant dribble. This is a meaningless speech which involves lying and perjury. The tongue does set a climate of encouragement or discouragement It uplifts or it tears down. It heals or it hurts.

TAMING THE TONGUE James 3:1–12 Accountability for what is being said. If we are judged by our words, then we must be careful, as those who teach that our words are accurate and timely and helpful and healing. James does give all of us, not just the teachers, some very helpful words when he says, ―We all stumble in many ways. That is, none of us can always carry out our speech in a totally correct fashion. All of us find ourselves slipping up with the tongue at times, saying things we wish we hadn‘t said. Someone has said that life is strewn with banana peelings. Maybe we have that feeling when we have slipped up in our speech. James is saying, the greater control we gain over the tongue, the greater control we have altogether. He‘s saying, ―Show us a person who is out of control in their language and there, then, is a person who is out of control in their life. Finally think Biblical and speak positive words as Psalmist says, “O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.” Ps. 51: 15.

B. Prabhu Varakumar is the staff of UESI, for Communication & Networking Department in charge of Promotion based at vizag. prabhu.varakumar@uesi.in