Bible Text: James 3:1-12 | Preacher: Pastor Steve | Series: Mighty in His Power
Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never harm me.
True courage consists in doing what is right, despite the jeers and sneers of our companions.
The Christian Recorder of March 1862, a publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
All of us have been both damaged and edified by words.
Verbal
Non-verbal
Written
Visual
Facebook Depression!
My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.
Teachers will have the greater judgment, and greater responsibility. (Luke 12:42-48)
Character, moral and ethical development, spiritual, emotional and relational maturity are more important than cognitive capacity.
James 3:2-6 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
Our Words Bring Blessing and Cursing
James 3:7-12 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
We are Mighty in HIS Power
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life.
No person can tame the tongue like the Holy Spirit can tame the tongue.
(Mark 7:14-15; Psalm 51:10; Romans 12:1-2)
Our Words can be Deadly Poison
Psalm 140:3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
God’s Word condemns profane words, calling people names, and bad language!
Proverbs 16:24 Kind words are like honey sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Our Words Reveal Our Hearts
Matthew 12:33–35 A tree is identified by its fruit. Make a tree good, and its fruit will be good. Make a tree bad, and its fruit will be bad.  You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good words from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil words from an evil heart (NLT).
The Bible teaches us that our STEPS are DIRECTED by the Holy Spirit as well as our STOPS!
Psalm 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
1 Peter 3:10 If you want a happy life and good days, keep your tongue from speaking evil, and keep your lips from telling lies
Proverbs 15:1-4 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.  Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Our communications with one another ought to be as in the presence of God, and with God as in the presence of others.
Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly comes to ruin.
Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of the sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. (Solomon’s words)
Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.