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Presented, Sunday, June 1, 2008 am
SPIRITUAL INDICATORS (3)
What Am I Saying?
Today we continue our study of spiritual indicators that can help us determine if we are growing the way we ought to. Recall that an indicator is a thing that points out the condition of something, such as a thermometer which can help indicate to a doctor if you are healthy or not (along with a number of other indicators). A spiritual indicator helps us determine if we are spiritually healthy or not. Last week we examined our communication with God by examining how much we study our Bibles (listen to God) and pray (talk to God). Today we want to notice another very practical spiritual indicator. In fact this is one that all but calls itself an indicator of our spiritual condition. We want to talk about our conversations by asking, “What Am I Saying?”
I. I. The Tongue is an Indicator
a. When we speak of the tongue, what we have in mind is not the organ in your mouth which is used to taste food, chew and formulate sounds. Rather we have in mind the words that we communicate with.
b.
We need to be
aware of the power of the tongue.
James 3:1-12 describes how powerful the tongue is. Among the things we
find in this text include:
i. The ability to perfectly control the tongue will bring with it the ability to control everything.
ii.
Like a horse is
controlled by a small bit in its mouth and a huge ship is steered by a small
rudder, so our tongue steers us.
THE truth is that we can tell much about a person by the words they use and
don’t use. We can tell if one is honest, trustworthy, in control, refined,
respectful and religious. Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37 spoke of the fruit of
our tongues. It speaks from the heart. Also He said, “For by your
words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Solomon said in Proverbs 4:23 “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of
it spring the issues of life.”
iii. The power of the tongue is described as a fire and the poison of a viper. It is difficult to control and impossible to completely tame it.
iv. It should not be used in an inconsistent manner.
c.
In this text we
also find that the tongue is a spiritual indicator.
James 3:2 notes that one who can control his tongue can control the whole body.
In fact James equates controlling the tongue with perfection. Thayer
defines the word as, “brought to its end, finished; lacking nothing necessary
to completeness; perfect.” (See Matt. 5:48 & 1 Cor. 13:10).
As we examine this text it becomes clear that we CAN look at our tongues and
KNOW if we are what we ought to be. It is in this that we know the tongue is a
spiritual indicator.
d. Solomon said of the tongue, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18: 21.
e. Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
f. Proverbs 21:23, “Whoever guards his tongue, keeps his soul from troubles.”
II. II. God expects us to control our tongues
a. Many passages point this out
i. 1 Peter 3:10, He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil.
ii. James 1:26 says that even if one says he is religious, if he does NOT bridle his tongue, “this one’s religion is useless.”
iii. Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be with grace…
iv. 1 Corinthians 9:27, while not specifically speaking of the tongue cites the example of Paul disciplining his body and bringing it into subjection lest he become disqualified.
b. The Bible condemns all manner of sins of the tongue. We are commanded to refrain from various types of sins of the tongue
i. Ephesians 4:29-31 says, “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. ... Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you, will all malice.”
ii.
Ephesians
5:3-4, 7, “But fornication and
all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is
fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting,
which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks…Therefore do not be partakers
with them.”
Among the sins condemned would be speaking evil, filthy language (dirty
jokes), coarse jesting (filthy implications) and words spoken in
anger.
iii.
Lying –
Always a sin! Christians
need to be truthful in their language.
Ephesians 4:25 says, “Therefore, putting away lying, ‘Let each one of you
speak truth with his neighbor’ for we are members of one another.”
iv. Criticism – Another use of the tongue that we need to think about. While there is a time for criticism (we call it constructive criticism) there are some who simply live to find fault in others and to pick apart whatever someone else is doing. Philippians 2:14 tells us, “Do all things without murmurings or disputings.” The word clamor found in Eph. 4:31 would also fit in this category.
v.
Gossip
- Perhaps one of the greatest problems of the tongue that some churches face is
gossip. Brethren talking about others and spreading hurtful information
(whether true or not!). Gossip is clearly condemned in scriptures.
While the KJV does not use the word, other versions do. However the KJV
(along with other versions) uses words like talebearers, whisperers, busybodies,
slanderers, tattlers, etc. All of these words can fit under the category
of sins of gossip.
Some reason that as long as something is true, it is acceptable to speak it.
That is NOT SO! We have to WEIGH our words not only for truth, but also
for effect. Some things are simply better left unsaid!
2 Thess. 3:11-12 uses the term busybody which involves gossip and
meddling where you have no business. The text says, “Now those who are such
we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness
and eat their own bread.”
vi. NOTE: In ALL of these texts we find a number of sins that involve the tongue and we are commanded to put them away. These commands make it clear that we CAN control our tongues if we want to!
c. But, He also expects us to use our tongues properly.
i. Many have pretty good control of their tongues when it comes to not misusing it, but do we speak up when we ought to?
ii. We are to comfort and edify one another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – we are to comfort and edify one another.
iii. When one sins we are to go to them – Galatians 6:1 tells us to restore those overtaken in a trespass. Matthew 5:23 speaks of going to your brother to make right what he has against you BEFORE you offer your gift. Matthew 18:15 tells you to go to your brother who sins against you.
iv. We need to speak up in defense of the truth. Matthew 10:32-33 speaks of confessing and denying Christ. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to give a defense…
v. In all these things, we have control over whether or not we will speak up when we ought to.
III. III. What Am I Saying?
a. Colossians 3:17 – is our words (and deeds) done “in the name of the Lord”?
b. Have I learned to control my tongue? Do I think before I speak or do I simply utter the first thing that comes to my mind? Would the Lord be embarrassed if He heard my conversation with others? What do I say when I hit my thumb with the hammer or hot water splashes on me in the kitchen? What do I say to someone who has made me angry?
c. How consistent are my words? Can my promises be counted upon to be fulfilled? Do I speak with a double tongue – saying one thing on one occasion and the opposite on another occasion? Do I speak half-truths or twist my words to leave the wrong impression with those I am speaking to?
d. Do I talk about others? Do I find pleasure in hearing the juicy details of someone else’s life? Do I anticipate those occasions when I can tell it to someone else – either a certain person or anyone? Do I ever qualify my speech by saying, “Don’t tell this to anyone else…”? or “Did you hear about …?” Do others try to avoid me because of the what I say about others? Do I go to others instead of the one I have a problem with?
e. What is my disposition? Would I describe myself as a complainer? Do I constantly criticize everything everyone else is doing? Am I quick to point out faults but slow to recognize the good points?
f. Do I use my tongue for God’s glory? Do I sing, “making melody in my heart”? Do I defend my Lord? Do I use my tongue to teach the lost? What about my family? Do I pray? Am I a source of encouragement to my brethren and others? Does my language glorify the Lord’s church in this community?
g. How often do I catch myself saying things that I regret? Am I in control of my conversations or are my conversations controlling me? How is my language NOW compared to what it was when I first became a Christian? Do those who knew me before I became a Christian see a difference in my language now? Is my language NOW better than it was last year?
h. The answers to these questions are an indicator of how we are doing as a Christian.
IV. IV. How Can I improve my speech?
a. Realize that God gave you your tongue for a reason. We are able to communicate better than any other creature in the world. God WANTS use to speak up. Be He expects us to USE IT as He intended. And he knows EVERYTHING you say. Psalm 139:4 says, “For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.”
b. Realize that I CAN control my speech. I WILL say what I want to say! While it is difficult to do it is possible. Just like we CAN put a bit in the horse’s mouth and we CAN put a rudder on a ship and steer it. It is not an easy thing to do, but it IS possible.
c. Pray to God about it. Psa. 141:3 David cried out to God saying “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”
d.
THINK before
you speak. James 1:19, be swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.
Solomon wrote, “In the multitude of words, sin is not lacking, but he who
restrains his lips is wise” Proverbs 10:19
e.
When you say
something you know you should not be saying – REPENT IMMEDIATELY!
Be aware of what you are saying. You WILL slip up – because we all do!
But keep stopping yourself. Eventually, proper speech will become easier.
f.
Do not
intentionally expose yourself to environment where improper language is being
used – television, filthy mouthed
friends, certain places on the internet, music, filthy literature, etc.
This would include giving ear to those who are using sinful speech such as
gossip. Proverbs 26:20 says, “Where there is no wood, the fire goes
out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.”
g. Associate with those who WANT you to do right! You need your brethren. (Coming up in another lesson)
h. Intentionally say godly things. Look for opportunities to complement and encourage. Use your tongue as God intended. That will keep you plenty busy.
Truly, the tongue is a spiritual indicator and it is something that not only do we need to examine how we us it, we also MUST learn to control it. We conclude with the same text we began with – James 3:2. Realize that IF we can learn to control our tongues, we can control everything else. Sounds to me like the tongue is a good place to start if our lives need to change! Think about it.