Believing God:

Part 1

To sanctify my mouth

(A Pierced Tongue)

The Tongue Test

When people walk away from visiting with me, do they feel:

• Encouraged or discouraged?

• Full of Hope or full of guilt?

• Positive or negative?

Most of us could use a good tongue piercing.

Meaning: A tongue that has been pieced by the nails of the cross. A tongue that Christ has touch with his nail pierced hands. A tongue that has been set apart and sanctified for the glory of God.

“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check...

When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or 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…

Likewise 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. The 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.

All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

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?”

James 3:1-11

I. The words that I speak...

1. Affect my entire life “The 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.” James 3:6

2. Affect the lives of others.

“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4

3. Will either welcome God or the devil into our lives.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

4. Shows the reality of my Christianity

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.” James 1:26

“But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.” Mt 12:36

II. What kinds of words are careless and dishonor the Lord?

1. Words that are Gossip

“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips…”

Romans 1:29

Gossip is sin.

I am gossiping when I am talking with another person, about someone else, who is not a part of the problem or the solution.

“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much.” Proverbs 20:19

2. Words that are Unwholesome

“Do 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.” Eph 4:29

“But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” Eph 5:3-4

When we use language that others find offensive, we are not bringing glory to the Lord.

• Profanity

• Perversity

Rudeness, unkindness, or disrespect

• Criticism

• Breaking a confidence

• Negativism and complaining

• Inappropriate humor, including off-color jokes or humor that demeans people.

• Misuse of God’s name.

3. Words that are Lies

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Col 3:9-10

“Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully.” Ephesians 4:25

“Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;” Psalm 51:6

“Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.” Psalm 120:2

Why do people lie?

1. Because they think they can avoid trouble.

2. To make themselves look good.

3. To benefit themselves.

III. What kind of words are thoughtful and glorify the Lord?

1. Words that Forgive2. Words that Encourage

3. Words that are True and Loving

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14