Sermons

Don’t Be Hung by Your Tongue!

Posted by Alex on
Sermon on October 8 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture: Proverbs 18:21; 26:18-26

How many times do we use our tongues in a day? Our words speak loudly about our hearts. (Mat. 12:35-37)
If what you say reveals who you are:

1. HEAR YOURSELF – AND WATCH YOUR HEART!
Frame whatever you say with some questions:

  • Are you stirring or engaging? (26:21; 16:7)
  • Are you lying or are you transparent? (26:18)
    When we lead others astray, or call what is sinful good – it is perverse speech.
    ‘Whoever says to the guilty: ‘You are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations’. (24:24)
  • Are you flattering or sincere? (26:28)

‘Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you. Love me, and I may be forced to love you.’
(William Ward)

  • Are you repeating or healing? (11:13)
    ‘The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down into the inward parts.’ (18:8)
    THINK before you share: ‘ Is this True? Is this Helpful? Is this Inspirational? Is this Needful? Is this Kind?’
  • Are you bragging or are you humble? (27:2)
    Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence and do not claim a place among his great men. It is better for him to say to you ‘Come up here’, than for him to humiliate you before his nobles’. (25:6, 7)

‘Spiritual pride tends to speak of other person’s sins with bitterness, or laughter or with an air of contempt. But pure Christian humility rather tends either to be silent about these problems or to speak about them with grief and pity.’
(Jonathan Edwards: ‘Thoughts on The Revival’)

2. CONTROL YOURSELF – AND WEIGH YOUR WORDS!
If you would be foolish in your speech

  • Speak before you listen and speak more than you listen (10:19)
    What is the default position of your mouth? To say too much, or to be restrained?
    ‘The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.’ (17:27)
    If you would be wise in your speech
  • Fill your heart with Christ and Christ will tame your tongue (James 3:9-12)
    The more of you Jesus has, the more you will speak life-giving and affirming words.

Remember! Your words in this week have more power than you think. Cruel and careless words can wreck a life. Gracious and timely words bring hope and healing. Don’t be hung by your tongue.

 

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QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

  1. Why does our speech matter? Can words hurt more than sticks or stones?
  2. What is the difference between being argumentative and having helpful and deep discussion? How can we avoid the first?
  3. How does the social media culture encourage gossip and bragging? Do the instructions about the tongue apply to our fingers as well?
  4. In what ways can you do a better job of thinking before you speak? How does the gospel free us from using our tongues in sinful ways?

 

 

 

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