DECEMBER 4, 2011

“ BEGINNING YOUR LIFE CHANGING JOURNEY: Sins of SPEECH”

James 3:7-10 (ESV)

Rev. Adam Gillespie

Worship Through God’s Word

7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

James 3:7-10 (ESV)

Sanctification is CONTINUOUS, ONGOING:

•actions which are appropriate to a genuine profession of faith (James 2:14).

•evidence of the presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16; Romans 8:1-27).

•evidence of a genuine change in attitudes, desires, priorities and values (cf. Romans 8:29; 12:1-2), a desire or spiritual appetite for the Word of God (1 Peter 2:2-3).

•feeling of comfort and belonging when among Christians (John 15:17-19; Acts 2:43-46; Romans 12:9-16; 15:5-7; 2 John 5-8), a desire to know and do the will of God (John 14:15

1.ANALOGY OF SIZE.James 3:2-5 (ESV)2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!James 1:26 (ESV)26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

SINS OF SPEECH.

2.ANALOGY OF POWER.James 3:6-8 (ESV)6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.Philippians 4:13 (ESV)13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.Matthew 12:34-37 (ESV)34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

SINS OF SPEECH.

3.ANALOGY OF INCOMPATIBILITY.James 3:9-12 (ESV)9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12

Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

SINS OF SPEECH.

WILL YOU RESPOND?1. Identify and Repent of Sinful SPEECH.1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)17 pray without ceasing,Isaiah 1:18-19 (ESV)18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV)36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.