Pastor Josh Weisbrod – May 19, 2019

Key Idea: Our words have power. We need to be founded on God and filled by the Holy Spirit so that out of the abundance of our hearts, our mouths speak life and love to those around us. // Key Passage: James 3:1-12

SUMMARY:

God has given us immense power for the mission He has called us to—the power to speak life and love, break chains, and release hope. This power is in our words and communication. Evaluate the platform we have and the message we are sharing. Our words can change the course of the future for ourselves and those around us. We have a platform to share the gospel of Jesus Christ unlike any other generation before us.

The Power of the Tongue

James 3:1-2
- No one is perfect. Be okay with that. James is not judging but guiding and directing.
- Be careful with your platform. Words can instruct or misguide, give mercy or judgment, grace or harshness, and understanding or coldness. (Luke 6:37-38)
- Words you speak may not mean anything to you, but they definitely have consequences. The things you post and share, preach the message of your life and what’s in your heart. (Proverbs 10:19-21)
- What might happen if for one week, we just spoke life—encouraged, strengthened, and empowered one another?
James 3:3-5
- The tongue has power for direction, and an unrestrained tongue will misdirect lives.
- The tongue must be directed because words can change the course of not only your life and future, but the lives and future of those around you.
James 3:5-6
- A discarded cigarette butt can start a forest fire and create immeasurable damage.
- The tongue is a powerful tool for destruction. A critically placed remark can critically damage or destroy a life, but a well-timed encouragement can save a life.
- Don’t say, “I’m just joking around.” It’s no joke. (Proverbs 26:18-19)
- Every word we speak gives warmth and kindles something, or it burns someone. We will live in the consequences of what we stir up.
James 3:7-12
- With one tongue we bless God and curse people. It all comes from the same place—the heart. James uses natural comparisons to explain this idea. (Luke 6:43)
- Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The tongue reveals the content of your heart.
- We need to reject compartmentalization. Our physical, sexual, emotional, and spiritual health are all connected. We like to try to separate these parts of our lives, but all of these areas touch and affect the other areas.
- When we try to separate parts of ourselves, the words we speak in one group, the way we act in another group, etc. we think we are different, but we aren’t because our heart isn’t different. It all begins in the heart—our thoughts, emotions, words, actions.
- Words influence behavior and affect the condition of the heart. It’s all connected. We will harvest what we speak. If we speak negativity, we harvest negativity. If we speak life and hope, we harvest life and hope.
- If we don’t like what is coming out of our mouths, we need to look at what is going in. The tongue can only release what is stored in the heart.

Application:

How do we control the tongue and protect our heart?

Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Abide in the vine of Jesus Christ. Trust Him to bring fruit and the harvest in His timing. (John 15:7)

So that we can have . . .

A filled heart that overflows with gracious talk
- Respond with grace, patience, and love. Use your platform to build up His kingdom.
A filled heart that overflows with empowerment
- Change the course of someone’s life with the inspired words from the Spirit of God spoken through your mouth.
A filled heart that overflows with words that bring life
- Stir up a heart with warmth, hope, and freedom. Encourage someone who is in the trenches until they believe it.

Reflection:

Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

Everyone who speaks to another person in person or on social media has a platform. Some have bigger platforms than others. How are you using your platform to speak into other people’s lives?
Share about a time when someone used words to impact or change the direction or course of your life for good or bad, whether or not they understood the impact of their words.
“Every word we speak gives warmth and kindles (or stirs something), or it burns someone. We will live in the consequences of what we stir up.” How does this impact the message you send with your words either in person or on social media?
Why do you think people try to compartmentalize their lives? In what ways do you try to compartmentalize different areas of your life? How does that affect you?
“Words influence behavior and affect the condition of the heart.” When have you experienced the impact of your own words on your own behavior or heart for good or bad?
We can be filled with the Holy Spirit and abide in the vine of Jesus Christ so that our hearts will be filled and overflow. Which do you want to see most in your own life right now: a heart overflowing with gracious talk, with empowerment, or with words that bring life?

FAQs:

What if I struggle with controlling my tongue?

Everyone struggles controlling their tongue, even James says it. James is giving guidance and direction, not condemnation. God understands the human struggle and He is always present and always listening. He knows you better than you know yourself. Take your struggle to Him and ask Him for help. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group.

I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible.

If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of John in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.

Full Podcast Episode: https://banner.church/podcast/2019/5/20/follow-pt4-power-of-the-tongue-51919