REAL FAITH: Real Faith Tames The Tongue!

REAL FAITH: Real Faith Tames The Tongue!

Ptr. Bong Saquing

Have you ever said something you regretted immediately? Sometimes, despite pure intentions, we can do harm with our words because of the way we say things. That’s why scripture reminds us that our speech carries incredible power. Real faith isn’t only reflected in what we do, but in how we live out what we say in truth and love.

REAL FAITH TAMES THE TONGUE

• PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY 

• POWER TO BUILD OR DESTROY 

• PROBLEM OF THE HEART

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

(James 3:1-2, 1 Timothy 1:5-7, Matthew 12:36-37, Psalm 39:1, Psalm 141:3, Ephesians 4:29)

As we move into chapter 3, James has gone from preaching to meddling! He has just made it clear that genuine faith works. If God has changed your heart through the new birth, the saving faith that He granted to you will inevitably show itself in a life of good deeds. But now he moves from the generality of good deeds to the specifics of the words that you speak. Genuine faith yields to Christ’s lordship.

To tame the terrible tongue, we must recognize the tremendous magnitude of the battle that we face.

James’ point is that a man should not take on the role of teacher unless God has called him to it, because teachers will incur a stricter judgment. We who teach God’s Word will be more accountable, because our words affect more people. Any time that we teach, we should keep in mind the serious fact that we will stand before the Lord to give an account.

WAYS WE STUMBLE WITH OUR WORDS (H.E.A.R.T.)

H – Hurt Filled Speech (Speaking out of pain/hurt)

Lashing out because were wounded

“A wounded heart often wields a sharp tongue”

E – Exaggeration (Stretching the truth)

Overstating faults or stories

Proverbs 12:22 The LORD detests lying lips,

but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

A – Angry words (Speaking before calming down)

Letting emotion lead instead of wisdom

James 1:19-20 Listening and Doing

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this:            Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

R – Relational sins of speech

Gossip, Slander, Whispering, Triangulating

Proverbs 26:20 Without wood a fire goes out;

without a gossip a quarrel dies down.

T – Toxic talk

Constant negativity

Critical spirit, complaining

Philippians 2:14

Do everything without grumbling or arguing,

 

“What fills the heart eventually leaks through the mouth.”

Matthew 12:36-37

But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

POWER TO BUILD OR DESTROY

(James 3:3-7, Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 18:21, Romans 10:9-13)

Ephesians 4:29

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.

HOW DO YOU SPEAK:

⁃ When you’re tired?

⁃ When you’re criticized?

⁃ When you’re at home, not church?

⁃ When no one is impressed?

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death,

and those who love it will eat its fruit.

First, James tackles the tongue. His bottom line: the tongue is unbelievably powerful, and it cannot be fully controlled. A person who could perfectly control his or her speech 100 percent of the time would have already arrived at full control of every aspect of the entire body, and their entire life. Yes, the tongue is small. So is the bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder on a ship, or the spark that ignites a forest. That forest fire is the one James lingers on. He calls the tongue a fire that sets the whole course of our lives on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. He calls it a restless, unstable evil, full of fatal poison.

Marriages don’t usually collapse overnight – they        erode through daily speech.

Churches don’t split over theology as often as they split over conversations.

Bottom line: Your tongue maybe small, but it steers your life.

James turns up the intensity:

• Fire

• Poison 

• Corruption 

• Hell itself

He’s not exaggerating – he’s diagnosing

James does not say that the tongue is untamable. He says that no one can tame it. It is humanly untamable. Only God can tame it. James does not state that because he wants us to get a clear view of the horrible monster that we must do battle with. When the Holy Spirit controls your heart on a daily basis, over time the fruit of the Spirit will appear. These include love, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control, which all relate to the control of the tongue. To tame this terrible tongue, you must daily walk in the Spirit, taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Ultimately, an evil tongue is the tool of an evil heart. That is James’ final point.

PROBLEM OF THE HEART

(James 3:7-12, Luke 6:45, Isaiah 50:4, Psalm 19:14, Colossians 4:6, Proverbs 24:26)

“Every speech problem is a heart problem”

Real Faith Sounds Like Jesus

If you want to tame the terrible tongue, the place to start is with your heart. Work daily at taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Walk daily under the control of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:18). Renew your mind by memorizing Scripture (Rom. 12:1-2; Ps. 119:11). Memorize James 1:19-20: “This you know, my beloved brethren. But let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” Memorize Ephesians 4:29: “Let no unwholesome [lit., rotten] word proceed from you mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

WHY WORDS MATTER

• Words can heal or harm

• Words can build or break

• Words reveal the condition of the heart

Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

REMEMBER THIS

• Salitang nagbibigay-buhay / Words that give life

• Salitang nagpapalakas ng loob / Words that strengthen 

• Salitang totoo na may malasakit / Truth spoken with love

WORDS THAT GIVE LIFE

(Salitang nagbibigay-buhay)

• “Mahalaga ka” / You matter

• “Salamat sa’yo – malaking tulong ka” /       Thank you – you’re a big help

• “Buti andito ka” / I’m glad you’re here

• “Hindi ka nag-iisa” / You are not alone 

Life-giving words remind people they belong

WORDS THAT ENCOURAGE GROWTH

(Salitang nagpapalakas ng loob)

• “Nakikita ko ang ginagawa ng Diyos sa’yo-ituloy mo lang” / I see God at work in you-keep going 

• “Unti-unti, pero may paglago” / It may be slow, but there is growth 

• “Andito lang kami, susuporta” / We’re here with you-we support you

Encouragement says, “You don’t have to walk this alone”

WORDS THAT SPEAK TRUTH IN LOVE

(Salitang totoo pero may malasakit)

• “Dahil mahal kita, pwede ba akong magsabi ng mahirap pakinggan?” / Because I care about you, may I share something difficult?

• “Baka mali ako, pero ito ang napapansin ko” / I may be wrong, but this is what I’m noticing 

• “Sa pribado ko sinasabi-ayokong mapahiya” / I’m saying this in private to protect your dignity 

Truth spoken with love heals, not humiliates

THE CCF TONGUE TEST

1. Is it necessary?

2. Is it true?

3. Is it spoken in love?

4. Is it encouraging?

5. I’m s it glorifying to God?

Before you speak THINK

1. Is it True?

2. Is it Helpful / Harmful?

3. Is it Inspirational?

4. Is it Necessary?

5. Is it Kind?

THINK of God’s glory or honor

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,

but a kind word cheers it up.

Kind words – TRANSFORM WORRY TO JOY

Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath,

but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Gentle words – BREAK THROUGH ANGER

Proverbs 16:21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Pleasant words – ENCOURAGE LEARNING

Colossians 4:6

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

God Bless!