Please enable Javascript to play audio

Download Mp3 Download Notes - PDF Print Notes Subscribe to RSS feeds

THE BRIDLED TONGUE

July 27, 2003
No man can tame the tongue
James 3:8-9
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.      9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude [or likeness] of God.
 
Brethren should speak different
James 3:10
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren [those that are seeking to enter the kingdom, Mt.7:21;12:50], these things ought not so to be.
 
THERE IS POWER IN THE TONGUE
Proverbs 18:21
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
 
Don’t underestimate its power
James 3:5
So also, the tongue is a small thing, but what enormous damage it can do. A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. (NLT)
 
The tongue can be a weapon
Jeremiah 18:18
18 Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words. 
 
Watch your mouth
Psalm 141:3
Set a watch [or guard, NKJ], O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
 
A bridled tongue
Psalm 39:1
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.  
 
Maturity manifested
James 3:2
For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word [or in what he speaks], he isa perfect man [“that man has reached maturity of character,” Weymouth Translation], able also to bridle the whole body.
 
unbridled tongue
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.
 
words come from the heart
Matthew 15:18
But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Hide the word in your heart
Psalm 119:11
Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
 
My tongue shall speak of thy word
Ps 119:172
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness
 
SLOW TO SPEAK
 James 1:19
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
 
THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK
Proverbs 17:27-28
27 He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. 28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.
 
Lips of knowledge
Proverbs 20:15
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewell
 
Speak to build up others
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.
 
THE LORD HATES SOWING DISCORD
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
 
A TALEBEARER
Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer [one who goes about slandering others, NET], revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. 
 
A talebearer defined
Leviticus 19:16
Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people… I am the LORD.
 
The effects of a TALEBEARER
Proverbs 18:8
The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.   
 
Put them out of the church
1 Corinthians 5:11,13
11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer [a slanderer, NIV], or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
13 Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
 
Strife shall cease
Proverbs 26:20
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.   
 
Keep your soul from troubles
Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles
 
Put off filthy communication
Colossians 3:8
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
 
speak with grace and with salt
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Limit your words
Proverbs 10:19
When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
Let your words be few
Ecclesiastes 5:2
Be not rash with thy mouth [think before you speak], and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 
Study to be quiet
1 Thessalonians 4:11
And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
 
WIVES OF LEADERS NOT SLANDERERS
1 Timothy 3:11 Even so must their wives begrave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things
 
The lips of a VIRTUOUS woman
Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
 
our mouth will judge us
Luke 19:22
And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
 
FUTURE ACCOUNTABILITY
Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified [without charge or to be approved of], and by thy words thou shalt be condemned [found guilty or to suffer a penalty].
 
DESIRE Acceptable words
Psalm 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
 
RIGHTEOUS LIPS
Proverbs 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.
 
A bridled tongue shall be rewarded
Psalm 15:1-2
1 “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. 5 … He that doeth these things shall never be moved.”
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lips can snare the soul
 
 
 
Proverbs 18:7
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
 
 
 
 
MOSES SPOKE RASHLY & DID NOT ENTER CANAAN
Psalm 106:32-33
32 They angered Him also at the waters of strife, So that it went ill with Moses on account of them 33 Because they rebelled against his spirit, So that he spoke rashly with his lips.
 
 
 
SPEAK OF HIS FAITHFULNESS
Psalm 89: 1
I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
words SPOKEN CANNOT BE HIDDEN
Luke 12:2-3
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. 3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.
 
 
 
 
DESIRE Acceptable words
Psalm 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
 
 
Study to answer
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things
 
 
SPEAK TRUTH
Proverbs 8:7
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
 
PUT AWAY LYING
Ephesians 4:25
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
 
Liars are warned
Revelation 21:7-8
7 He that overcometh [“shall not be hurt of the second death…on such the second death hath no power,” Rev.2:10; 20:6] shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, [these are the non-overcomers] shall have their part [during the millennial kingdom] in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death [for the non-overcomer].
 
 
 
Lips can snare the soul
 
 
 
 .
 
 Jesus spoke gracious words
Luke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
 
Jesus controlled his tongue
1 Peter 2:22
Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
 
 
 
PUT AWAY EVIL SPEAKING
Ephesians 4:31
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
 
 
 
 
speak not evil against a brother
James 4:11
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.