P2 MASTERING OUR WORDS IS KEY TO BEING GREATER THAN ONE

P2 MASTERING OUR WORDS IS KEY TO BEING GREATER THAN ONE

Greater Than One, Part 2 – February 27, 2022
Christians must not show favoritism
Christians must not show favoritism
Christians must master their words
James 3:1-2 (NIV2011)
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.
Matthew 12:37 (NIV2011)
…by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Our words will be judged
Example: Taking test
James 3:3-6 (NIV2011)
3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
Our words wield great power
2 Examples of destructive words:
James 1:19-20 (NIV2011)
19  My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Words spoken impulsively

Example: Rock thrown into lake
Application: Sleep on it
Ephesians 4:29 (NIV2011) 

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. 


Words spoken impulsively Words that don’t build up

Example: Gossip
Application: Kill the demand
James 3:7-8 (NIV2011)
7  All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8  but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
Matthew 12:34-35 (NIV2011)
34  You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. 35  A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
The tongue can be tamed only at its source
Example: Bush
Ezekiel 11:19 (NIV2011)
19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.
Psalm 51:10 (NIV2011)
10  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.