Lesson 11 - The Tongue
James 3: And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. The tongue can be our most powerful tool or our most dangerous weapon. The difference is in how we use it. Here are some basic guidelines: 1. Dedicate your heart and your tongue to the Lord daily. Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. 2. Put your heart in tune with God’s. Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 3. Assume responsibility for every word you speak. Matthew 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 4. Ask those around you which words you use that are offensive. Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. 5. Commit yourself to the purpose of giving a good report and, when it is necessary, follow Matthew 18. Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 6. Fulfill past promises and think carefully before making any new promises. Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not. 7. Ask forgiveness for any unloving words or attitudes. James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 8. Learn how to give words that will encourage, comfort, inspire, and edify. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. 12 Tongue Tamers to Memorize 1. Proverbs 13: 3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 2. Proverbs 29: 20. Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him. 3. Proverbs 18: 13. He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him. 4. Matthew 12: 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 5. Ephesians 4: 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 6. Proverbs 15: 23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it! 7. Proverbs 21: 23 Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. 8. Proverbs 15: 1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. 4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit. 9. Proverbs 17: 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding. 10. Proverbs 18: 8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. 11. 1 Peter 3: 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 12. James 1: 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain. Discernment or Judgment God warns that those who judge others will themselves be judged. Mt 7:1-2 Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Let’s define the words (by definition of the original Greek words in the text): Discernment - to examine; to prove or test; to ask questions; to evaluate; to weigh thoroughly; to try. Judgment - to pass judgment or sentence; to decide; to condemn. Six basic Indicators that expose a judgmental spirit. 1. If another’s failure improves the opinion I have of myself, I am judging. 2. If another’s failure decreases my concern for my own faults, I am judging. 3. I another’s failure gives me a desire to see that they are punished, I am judging. 4. If I am eager to tell others about another’s failure, I am judging. 5. If another’s failure prompts me to review their past failures, I am judging. 6. If another’s failure causes me to feel that I cannot forgive them, I am judging. Basic Factors of Discernment vs. Judgmental Spirit 1. One who discerns will thoroughly examine himself before evaluating the actions of others. Ga 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 1 Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 1 Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (AV) 2 Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? One who judges will condemn others for their visible problems but fail to realize that their attitudes stem from root problems which he himself has not yet overcome. Ro 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. Ro 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 2.One who discerns will check the accuracy of all the facts and related factors before reaching a conclusion. 1 Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 1 Jo 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. One who judges will form opinions on first impressions of hearsay, and then he will look for evidence to confirm his opinions, even though the evidence may be out of context. Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. Joh 7:51 Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth? Jas 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 3. One who discerns will deal as privately as possible with the problem he sees. 1 Co 6:5-6 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. One who judges will publicly expose those whom he condemns. This may cause others to condemn him for having the same root problem such as pride, lack of love, or a critical spirit. Lu 6:37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: A discerning Christian is one who detects a fault in another and is able to give clear direction for victory based on the principles of God’s Word and his own application of them. On this basis, he is able to restore an offending brother rather than reject him. Ga 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. How A Judgmental Spirit Reveals Our Own Sins Ro 2:1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. What we condemn in others - The root problem we condemn - Are we guilty of the same sin? Not giving us our share Covetousness and greed Do we have a temporal or worldly focus? Those who dress immodestly Moral impurity Do we have lustful eyes and secret desires for immorality? Being critical of others Bitterness and rejection Do we have an unloving and rejecting spirit toward the one whom we condemn? Do You Know The Difference Between Reproving And Reviling? Reproving - Scripture associates exhorting with the action of reproving or rebuking and offending brother. Together these three provide the necessary balance to approach a brother who needs correction. Reprove - to tell someone his fault, to admonish, to convince someone of his error; to give evidence; to convict Rebuke - to command, to charge, to order; to admonish Exhort - to beg, to urge; to encourage, to request, to ask, to appeal to ; to console, to comfort, to cheer up; to call to one side and urge to pursue a course of action Reviling - the sin of reviling or railing. Revile - to reproach, to denounce, to insult, to taunt, to chide; to speak evil of Rail - to vilify; to speak impiously; to defame; to speak evil Basic Factors of Reproving vs. Reviling 1. One who reproves or rebukes has the basic objective of restoring an offender through exhortation. 2. One who reproves or rebukes combines live and truth when correcting a brother. Truth without love is harshness. Love without truth is compromise. 3. One who reproves or rebukes is aware of certain limitations. One who reviles or rails has the basic objective of exposing one whom he has already judged. One who reviles or rails declaims any further responsibility for or association with the one whom he has judged. One who reviles or rails recognizes no restrictions on his efforts to vilify or defame. There is a major difference between reproving and reviling. We are told in Scripture to reprove an offending brother, but some who believe they are reproving are, in reality, reviling. Reviling is such a serious offense that a Christian who persists in doing it is to be totally avoided by other Christians. Evaluating Evidences of Disrespectful Attitudes (Be careful what you communicate through your words and actions.) Unspoken Expression - Possible Translation By Others Yawning loudly while another individual is speaking - "I am tired of listening to you." Failing to acknowledge one who greets you - "You are not important to me." Slouching in a classroom chair - "I am really here against my will." Looking at a watch or clock while someone is speaking to you - "I think you have already talked too long." Tapping with fingers or pen while someone else is speaking - "How much longer do I have to endure this?" Running in church - "I do not respect God." Frowning at the dinner someone prepared - "You have no right to fix something I do not like." Listening to one who whispers to you while someone else is talking - "I do not respect you as much as the one who is whispering to me." Gazing around the room during a message - "What you are saying is not important for me to hear." Frowning at the one who is speaking - "Are you sure know what you are talking about?" Making sloppy clothes your normal attire - "I do not think much of the way God made me." Continuing to watch television when visitors have arrived - "Why did you have to bother me now?"
Study Guide For "What The Bible Is All About"
by Henrietta Mears
Chapter 10 - Understanding 2 Samuel
1. We must not only crown Christ as King of our life, but we must ________________________________________________________________ 2. God gave the people a king after ____________, and then one after _______________. 3. Why was David called a man after God’s own heart? ___________ _________________________________________________________________ 4. Saul chose the way of self. What did David choose? _________ 5. David was willing to ________________________________________. 6. What kind of life is secure and successful? ________________ 7. How did David’s rise to prominence start? ___________________ 8. What kind of example did David leave for those who followed? __________________ 9. One of the great results of David’s leadership was __________ _________________________________________________________________. 10. How did David obtain guidance? _____________________________ 11. Where did David establish his home and the capital? ________ 12. What did David want to bring to the new capital? ___________ 13. What happened when he tried to relocate this item? _________ _________________________________________________________________ 14. What gave the nation unity and power? ______________________ 15. What great thing did David desire to do and God wouldn’t let him? ____________________________________________________________ 16. What is the mark of a real servant of God? _________________ _________________________________________________________________ 17. What sins did David commit? ________________________________ 18. List the steps to his fall. _____________, ________________, _________________. 19. Never neglect _______________ and __________________. 20. What was the punishment for David’s sin with Bathsheba? _______________________________________________________________ 21. What was wrong with David numbering the people? __________ What was his punishment? _______________________________ 22. Although David’s sin were grievous, he ___________________. 23. It is not a question of who you are or what you are, but _______________________.