By Sis Amaka Medeiros
Digging Deep Service | RCCG Dominion Mercy Seat
Text :- James 3:8-9
The Tongue
This is the movable organ in the floor of the mouth in humans that functions in eating, tasting and speaking. It has been said that the "tongue" is one of the most exercised muscles of our body. It has also been estimated that in a typical week, the average person will speak enough words to fill a 500 page book!
The Bible makes us to understand that:-
The Tongue is powerful. It has a power so great it is capable of producing life or death depending on how it is used. Proverbs 18:21
For the Christian, the use of the tongue must be a matter of careful forethought and discipline. James 3:5-6, James 1:26. It is deception for any of us to think that Jesus can be be Lord over our life without becoming Lord over our Tongue. The bridle is a leather harness and bit placed in a horse's mouth to control it. In the same manner, Christians must allow the Holy Spirit to bridle their tongues and bring restraints to their words.
"Speech is an index of the mind" therefore, much can be said of a person's character by the way he uses his tongue, for Jesus said in a Matthew 12;34 that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
Sins of the Tongue
As Christians we steer clear of the more obvious sins but don't practice that same diligence in bringing our Tongue under the Lord's subjection.
The lying tongue
A lying tongue is a misuse of a deadly weapon. Proverbs 25:18, john 8:44
The Flattering Tongue
Flattery is a sin of the Tongue, it's a form of lying. Psalm 5:9
Hypocritical Tongue
They use their tongues to sing praises and blessings to God and turn around to use same to speak evil of one another. James 3:9-10
The proud tongue
These types of Christians are so full of themselves Psalm 12:3-4
The Boasting Tongue
Glorifying oneself and speaking of oneself with pride. James 3:5, Galatians 5:26
If you must boast, you are encouraged to boast in the Lord Jeremiah 8:23-24
The overused Tongue
Some Christians talk too much Ecclesiastes 5:3 says that " a fool's voice is known by multitude of words"'
The Swift Tongue
Some are guilty of speaking too swiftly when they really need to wait before saying anything Proverbs 18:13
The Backbiting Tongue
Backbiters use their tongue against you when you are not present. A backbiter would rather talk about the preacher than to the preacher. Proverbs 6:19
The Talebearing Tongue
Talebearing runs contrary to Christian edification. Proverbs 18:8
The Cursing tongue
A great number of professing Christians curse regularly. James 3:10-11
The Piercing tongue
Proverbs 12:18. The Bible commands Christians in Colossians 4:6 to have their speech dominated by grace.
The Silent tongue
A silent tongue is a sinful tongue because we have been commanded to speak up and with was for the Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8. We, as Christians have an obligation to tell others about Christ.
Why Should We Bridle Our Tongue
1. Our words have power - Proverbs 18:21
2. We will be judged by our words - Matthew:- 12:36-37
3. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise - Proverbs 10:19
4. The world is watching us - Titus 2:8, 2 Timothy 4:12
Taming the tongue
James 3:8. The Tongue can only be tamed by the grace of God. Psalm 141:3 When we surrender our weakness in the area of our tongue to the lord, then can we have His strength to bridle it.
Take your weaknesses to God
If you realize that your tongue is out of control , you need to allow God to change the attitude of your heart and your mouth, so they can be pleasing to him. Psalm 19:14. His grace and mercy is available for all manner of sins that we confess to Him. 1 John 1:9, but we must also forsake them Proverbs 28:13.
Take up the sword of the spirit
We need to arm ourselves with the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17. The more Word we put inside us, the more Word will come out of our mouths. Luke 6:45
Chose your words carefully
Words have power. They can hurt and they can bless. We need to pay attention to every word and phrase that come out of our mouth. Our words have supernatural power—power that changes circumstances and shapes destinies.
Watch your thoughts
In order to control our Tongue, we must first control our thoughts. Right and wrong thinking is the the basis for controlling our words. That is why the enemy bombards our mind with evil thoughts. 2 Corinthians 10:5 . We need to get our minds thinking scripturally.
Commendable uses of the tongue
Let us consider some right ways to use the Tongue.
The praising Tongue
A Christian should use his tongue for praise and thanksgiving to God. Hebrew 13:15, Psalm 34:1
The Gracious Tongue
A christian should use his tongue to edify. With our words, we have the power to bring healing and encouragement to others. We can purposely order our conversations and speak carefully chosen words of God that will not only produce victory in our own lives but in the lives of others as well. It is our privilege and responsibility as Christians to speak forth positive life-giving words in a world immersed in negativity Proverbs 12:25, Proverbs 16:24
The praying Tongue
A christian should use his tongue for prayers. Paul tell us in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to pray without ceasing.
The preaching Tongue
The Christian should use his tongue to preach the gospel. It is the responsibility of ever Christian to teach people to believe and obey the gospel of Christ, and also to help restore the erring brethren.
Conclusion
Let us be mindful of what we say and how we say it and make a pledge unto the Lord to speak right. The words of our mouth have control over our lives, whether we like it or not or whether we believe it or not. Like a rudder controls the direction of a ship, your tongue controls the direction of your life. God made man to be steward not only over the earth but over our own mouth as well. We are our own prophets. What we say today impacts our tomorrow.
Finally, the delivery of our word must also be honoring to God exemplary before the world. To be an example "in word" involves our choice of words, the content of our words and the delivery of our words. "For I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" Matthew 12:36-37
