COME TAKE A WALK: CONTROLLING THE TONGUE

Sermon Notes, June 24, 2018

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

            Pastor Garry's sermon, the fourth in the series Come, Take a Walk, a journey through the book of James,  was titled "Controlling the Tongue."  It was based on James 3:1-12.

            As James 3:8-10 points out, a water source cannot produce healthful water and polluted water at the same time.  Neither should the tongue.  The question we need to ask ourselves is which use of the tongue do we choose?  A polluted or productive use of the tongue?
            The polluted use of the tongue spews such poisons as Cursing (v. 10), Gossip (Proverbs 18:8), Lying (Ephesians 4:25), Unwholesome Talk (Ephesians 4:29), Foolish Talk or Coarse Joking (Ephesians 5:4), Backbiting, Anger, Slander and Arrogance (2 Corinthians 12:20).
            Words mean something.  What you say, or don't say, are equally important.  To speak properly requires more than knowing what to say and when to say it.  It requires us to, at times, know when to refrain from saying anything at all!  James equates the damage done by a wildfire to the damage done by a human with an uncontrolled tongue.  Satan loves to use the tongue to bring division amongst people.  Especially God's people.
            Idle or hateful words spread destruction rapidly, and as we all know, when these harsh words are spoken, you can't stop the damage that follows.  Sure, apologies may follow.  However the scars will remain.  It doesn't take but a few misguided words spoken in anger to completely destroy a relationship that took years to build.  Let's face it.  Words mean something. 
            The productive use of the tongue.  So, if we can't tame our tongue, why do we even try?  This is where the Holy Spirit steps in.  Self-control only comes when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and nurture us.  We don't have to fight the devastating fire of the tongue on our own!
            And the crazy cool part is that the more we allow the Holy Spirit to fill and nurture us, the more power we have in responding to different situations that we may have reacted to poorly in the past.  The Holy Spirit reminds us of God's love when we are offended so we won't react out of hatred.  And when we are criticized, it is the Holy Spirit that brings healing so we don't lash out. 
            Essentially, when we allow the Holy Spirit to fill us and nurture us, we can speak words of  Praise (Romans 15:11), Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17), Thanksgiving (1 Thessalonians 5:18), Worship (Psalm 99:9), Evangelism (Mark 16:15), Encouragement (1 Thessalonians 4:18 & 5:19), and Comfort (2 Corinthians 1:4).  Solomon called these kinds of words "apples of gold in settings of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)  They are words that can erase years of pain and sorrow; they are words filled with love and acceptance; words that are priceless to those who hear them.
            If someone listened in on your conversations, would their lives be changed for better, or worse?  Would they hear you speaking about the character flaws of others as if they were physical defects, or would they hear that you consider others as beautiful in God's eyes?  Ask yourself if your words build up or tear down.  Do your words push others away from you or draw others near?  Most important, do they draw others to God?  It's never too late to dispense "apples of gold in settings of silver."  Seek someone who is downcast and whisper a word of encouragement.  You never know who needs to hear the words "I wish you were my friend."
            Tongue surgery may be necessary to treat cancer, and it may be very painful, although necessary.  Fortunately, the Holy Spirit can "operate" on our tongues to get rid of all forms of bad language so we may speak words that help and heal.  Are we willing to submit to the Spirit for healing of the tongue?  Before we say anything, we should ask: Is it true?  Is it necessary? and Is it kind?