“Words: Taming the Tongue”

“Words Taming the Tongue”
James 3

Christian Theologian John Stott has said: “Cows can moo, dogs bark, donkeys bray, pigs grunt, lambs bleat, lions roar, monkeys squeal, and birds sing, but only human beings can speak.”

The gift of is unique to those who are made in the .

This morning we are talking about “Words: Taming the Tongue.”  In the New Testament book of James we find directives for speech and the way we use our tongue.

Note the following:

The of words

• Ex. Horse/bit – Ship/rudder – Spark/forest fire.
• Pastor John Piper asks: “What would the world be like – the home, the church, the school, the public square – if words were used the way Jesus used them?”

The with words

• James mentions our words can be problematic.  Out of control, inconsistent, and poisonous words do much damage.
• Quote by Mother Teresa – “Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness.”