Historical Posts
Thoughts and Words
Your Thoughts and Words are Important
It is advisable to “think before you speak.” Many times things have been said without forethought, causing ill will between parties. However, if we just stop for a moment before speaking, we would bring our thoughts and words under control and “let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouths, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).” Thoughts and words will show. If we think good thoughts, good words should follow.
Evil Thoughts and Words Destroyed Them
The wise man wrote, “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant (Proverbs 15:26).” A good example of thoughts and words comes from the world in the days of Noah. Every intent of man’s heart was only evil continually (Genesis 6:5), and God destroyed them from the earth. Yes, a heart that devises wicked plans is hated by the LORD (Proverbs 6:16-18).
The Bible is God’s Thoughts and Words
On the other hand, good thoughts produce good words! David wrote, “The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, and his tongue talks of justice (Psalm 37:30).” Those who seek to follow God and study His word know what to say. God knows all, and tells us all we need to know through His word. By studying it, we learn that justice will be served at the end of time; those who are faithful to Him enter into life, while those who are not enter into damnation.
Happy Thoughts and Good Words
Let us dwell on happy thoughts, and speak words of comfort to a lost world. Through Jesus Christ, there is hope of eternal salvation!
Content by Richard Dillon
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Tame Your Tongue
As you read this article, try a simple experiment: hold your tongue between your fingers. Is it still moving? No matter how hard you try to physically keep your tongue from wiggling, it is impossible (or at the least, very difficult)!
Just as the tongue is difficult to tame physically, it is spiritually. James wrote, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (James 2:8).” Have you ever said something you wish you hadn’t? Did you say something in the wrong way, and could have made it nicer or clearer? Blessing and cursing can proceed out of it (James 3:10), but only blessing should.
We should think before we speak, as there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:7).” When we do speak, we should speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and our speech should be “with grace, seasoned with salt, that [we] may know how [we] ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6).”
Content by Richard Dillon
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Gossip – audio
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Introduction
1. I maim without killing.
2. I break hearts and ruin lives.
3. I am cruel and malicious and gather strength with age.
4. The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.
5. I flourish at every level of society.
6. My victims are helpless.
a. They cannot protect themselves against me because I have no name and no face.
b. To track me down is impossible.
c. The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
7. I’m nobody’s friend.
8. I topple governments and ruin marriages.
9. I destroy careers, cause heartache and many sleepless nights.
10. I spawn suspicion and generate grief.
11. I make innocent people cry into their pillows at night.
12. I am gossip.
Body
I. WHAT IS GOSSIP?
A. A Definition.
1. Casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true.
2. Chiefly derogatory, a person who likes talking about other people’s lives.
B. Four Words. These four words give us some insight into the nature of what gossip really entails.
1. Talebearer / Whisperer.
a) Proverbs 11:13.
b) A talebearer is one who likes to reveal secrets.
c) He does this in whispers.
2. Backbiter.
a) 2 Corinthians 12:20.
b) Literally: one who speaks against or speaks back.
c) Brings with it the idea of speaking secretly about someone behind their back.
d) As a result, the one being spoken of has no opportunity to defend himself.
3. Busybody.
a) 2 Thessalonians 3:11.
(1) From a compound verb meaning to work around.
(2) In other words, to be busy in other people’s affairs.
b) 1 Peter 4:15.
(1) From two words: That which belongs to another, and overseer.
(2) So busybodies are people who think they are overseers over other people’s business.
(3) Also, notice that being a busybody is listed right along with being a murderer, thief, and evildoer.
c) Busybodies are “peeping Toms.” Always peeping into other people’s lives.
4. Slanderer.
a) 2 Timothy 3:1-3.
b) Slander – to accuse.
c) The Greek word for slanderer is “diabolos” or devil.
d) Psalm 101:5.
e) Psalm 140:11.
C. What is gossip?
1. Being busy in other people’s affairs.
2. Telling tales about others.
3. Telling these tales behind their backs.
4. Accusing others of things without giving them the chance to defend themselves.
D. An important note.
1. If you become aware of a brother or sister not behaving properly…
2. Matthew 18:15-17.
3. First go to that brother or sister and…
a) Confirm the truthfulness or untruthfulness of the facts.
b) If that brother or sister is guilty of sin, encourage them to repent.
4. If they won’t repent, take one or two witnesses with you that every word may be established.
5. If there is still no repentance, reveal it to the church.
6. This is not gossip. Gossip is speaking of others with no intention of helping them.
II. WHY IS GOSSIP SUCH A PROBLEM?
A. People enjoy it. Proverbs 18:8.
1. Gossip is like an all-you-can-eat buffet with a dessert bar.
2. Gossip is like a hot fudge peanut butter sundae made with chocolate peanut butter ice cream.
B. Why is gossip so tasty?
1. I am convinced that there is a part of us that likes to hear about the misdeeds / weaknesses of others because it makes us feel better about ourselves.
2. We have a bit of the Pharisee in us. Luke 18:9-12.
III. GOSSIP CAUSES GREAT HARM.
A. James 3:5-8.
1. Gossip is a wildfire gone out of control.
2. We may try to put it out but it has a life of it’s own.
3. It is full of deadly poison (v.8).
B. Gossip can destroy friendships. Proverbs 16:28.
C. Gossip causes division and strife. Proverbs 26:20.
D. Gossip causes fierce anger. Proverbs 25:23.
E. Often, gossip spreads falsehood. Ephesians 4:25.
F. Being a Gossip / Busybody / Talebearer / Whisperer / Backbiter will cause you to be lost. Romans 1:29-32.
IV. THE REMEDY FOR GOSSIP.
A. Repent! Don’t listen to gossip.
1. Proverbs 20:19.
2. If the gossip has no one to talk to, he will cease.
3. Put a stop it by saying:
a) Brother, this sounds a lot like gossip and I can’t take part in that. Or…
b) Brother, this is serious business. Let’s go and talk to brother ____ and see if this is true.
B. Watch your tongue carefully.
1. Ephesians 4:29.
2. If our words tear people down rather than build them up, we must keep quiet.
C. Realize that you will have to give an account of all your words. Matthew 12:36-37.
D. Pray as David did: Psalm 141:3-4.
Delivered on: November 13, 2011. Streetsboro.
Content by Ralph Price
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James 03:01-18 Is Your Tongue Under Control?
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Text: James 3:1-18
Introduction
- The tongue can be used to destroy the mind. But when used wisely it can encourage, uplift, and motivate a soul to obey the gospel of Christ.
- The Word teaches in many things we offend by words, therefore, it’s important to learn how to bridle, tame, or control the tongue – James 3:2-5. The speech that comes from ours mouths will either justify you or condemn you – Matthew 12:36-37; Matthew 15:16-20.
- Some lose control of their tongue by using deception & dishonesty to their advantage, but God clearly forbids us to lie or bear false witness – Proverbs 6:16-19; Proverbs 19:5, 9; Revelation 21:8.
Make Sure Your Tongue Is Not Destructive
- An uncontrolled tongue is like a fire out of control, it destroys everything in sight. It’s like a flame thrower that burns everything in sight. Is your tongue like this? In James 3:6-8, the Bible teaches the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body. The untamed tongue is full of deadly poison, so let us learn to refrain ourselves from evil words – 1 Peter 3:10-11.
- Is it not unnatural for a fruit tree to produce ripe and rotten fruits at the same time? This is hypocritical behavior, and is not consistent with keeping God’s commandments – James 3:9-13.
- If there is bitterness, envying, in your speech & life don’t deceive yourselves into believing everything is alright, while there is confusion & evil working in your life Recognize God’s pure wisdom & receive peace – James 3:14-18.
Your Controlled Tongue Can Edify and Encourage
- The Bible teaches us to use our speech and communication to express truthfulness and righteousness instead of evil – Matthew 5:37; Colossians 4:6. Our conversations and interactions should convey the love of God, and the truth of His Son Jesus Christ – Ephesians 4:15, 25, 29
- The Bible teaches that it is wise to have a quiet spirit and work with your own hands that you might have a good report of them that are without – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
- When your tongue is under control, your speech and behavior can communicate the good news that Jesus Christ has tasted death for every man through His sacrifice & resurrection – Titus 2:6-8; James 1:26-27
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Harry (Andy) Anderson Jr.Return to the Home Page
James 03:01-12 Let Not Many Become Teachers – audio
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Text: James 3:1-12
Introduction
1. In our study of “The Epistle Of James”, we now come to the third chapter
2. In James 3:1-12, we find:
a. A WARNING against too many becoming teachers – James 3:1-2
b. A DISCUSION of the untamable tongue – James 3:3-12
3. In a time where “verbal abuse” is often epidemic, and where “self- proclaimed teachers” engage in all sorts of heated religious discussions, there is much we can learn from this passage
Body
I. THE “WARNING” (James 3:1-2)
A. “LET NOT MANY OF YOU BECOME TEACHERS”
1. Note carefully:
a. James does not say, “Let not many of you BE teachers”
b. But rather, “Let not many of you BECOME teachers”
2. This passage is not just a rebuke of those who try to BE teachers before they are ready, but a warning that many should not ever BECOME teachers in the future!
3. It is a mistake to believe that EVERYONE should become a teacher at some point in their service to Christ!
a. Paul illustrated time and again that the body of Christ has many members, and not all members do not have the same function!
1) To the saints at Rome – Romans 12:3-8
2) To the church at Corinth – 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (Note esp. verse 29, where Paul with a rhetorical question implies that not all are to be teachers)
b. Peter likewise taught that God’s grace toward is “manifold” and that we should exercise our respective abilities accordingly – 1 Peter 4:10-11
4. In view of what Paul, Peter, and James wrote, we should be careful before we apply Hebrews 5:12-14 to mean that EVERYONE should one day be teachers (The author of Hebrews may have been writing to a select audience, whom he knew ought to have been teachers)
B. WHY MANY SHOULD NOT BECOME TEACHERS
1. Teachers shall receive “a stricter judgment”
a. There is a grave responsibility involved in teaching others
b. We can lead people to TRUTH – but we just as easily lead them to ERROR!
c. Just as with elders (Hebrews 13:17), those who teach will be held accountable if they mislead others!
2. Because we all “stumble in many things” – James 3:2
a. Everyone has faults, and with many people the improper use of the tongue is a major one
b. But it takes spiritual maturity (“a perfect man”) not to stumble in word!
II. THE “DISCOURSE” ON THE UNTAMABLE TONGUE (James 3:3-12)
A. THE ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BIT AND RUDDER (James 3:3-4)
1. Both illustrations are used to demonstrate that a small member (Like the tongue) can control the body
a. A bit controls a horse – James 3:3
b. A rudder controls the ship – James 3:4
2. So our tongue controls the body
a. If you speak a lie, it won’t be long before you find yourself living a lie
b. If you speak suggestively in an immoral manner, it won’t be long before you begin acting immorally!
3. The power of the tongue to direct is easily applied to the dangers of teaching
a. The teacher’s speech can easily set the mood of the class or congregation
b. He can easily direct the congregation in an uplifting way, or just as easily direct the congregation in a discouraging way
4. Should not this power to direct via the tongue humble those who teach, and caution the spiritually immature?
B. THE ILLUSTRATION OF A LITTLE FIRE (James 3:5-6)
1. A small fire can easily cause great destruction (Remember the Great Chicago Fire?)
2. So it is with the tongue!
a. A loose tongue can ruin one’s reputation
b. It can also destroy churches, families, friendships
3. In describing an uncontrolled tongue, James uses very vivid terms to make his point: The tongue is:
a. A fire
b. A world of iniquity
c. So set among our bodies that it defiles the whole body
d. That which sets on fire the course of nature
e. That which is itself set on fire by hell!
4. Should not this power to destroy and defile both ourselves and others caution us in becoming teachers?
C. THE DIFFICULTY OF TAMING THE TONGUE (James 3:7-12)
1. Despite being able to tame wild animals, man is unable to tame the tongue!
a. It is an unruly evil!
b. It is full of deadly poison!
2. I understand James to be somewhat hyperbolic here for the sake of emphasis
a. It is true that no MAN (By himself) can tame the tongue
b. But with GOD’S help, we can tame it (As David prayed in Psalm 141:3)
c. And with GOD’S help, we MUST tame it – Ephesians 4:29-30; Colossians 4:6
3. As a further example of how difficult it is to tame the tongue, James uses a very common (And relevant) problem
a. Blessing God and cursing men – James 3:9
b. Something we are very likely to do, especially on Sundays
1) We spend time in worship, blessing God
2) But in driving home, we might curse men (Other drivers who pull out in front of us)
c. Racists and bigots are often guilty of “blessing God and cursing men”!
4. But with the illustrations of a spring, a fig tree and a grapevine, James shows the inconsistency of this!
a. What comes forth is a true indication of what is inside
b. Just as Jesus taught in Mark 7:20-23
c. Despite all the praises we offer God, it is the curses against man that reveals the true person inside!
Conclusion
1. Again, these examples of the misuse of the tongue should humble and caution all those who would become teachers
2. But they should also serve as a warning for us all, whether we teach or not, that we need to seek God’s help in controlling the tongue!
3. May David’s prayer be our own: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer – Psalms 19:14
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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