What Am I Saying | Part 4

Our speech reveals a great deal about who we are. James has such challenging teaching about the use of our tongue! The Bible is clear that only a renewed heart (personal renewal) can produce pure speech. Since the tongue is so difficult to control those who control it can gain control of themselves in all other areas of life as well.

We have a quest through this series to create the best discipleship community that we can. How we speak to and about others is at the heart of our discipleship. The objective is to set standards of conduct in our speech, and raise you to attain them.

You can watch any of our messages online at renewalcc.com/media.

Transcript

3. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. James 3:2–3 (ESV)
4. GOSSIP
5. What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbour? James 4:1,11–12 (ESV)
6. ‘Gossip’ Gk. psithuristés = a whisperer, secret slanderer
7. but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. James 3:8–9 (ESV)
8. An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. Proverbs 17:4–5 (ESV)
9. ‘You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.’ John 8:44 (ESV)
10. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Revelation 12:10 (ESV)
11. “I have the right to talk about anything I want, with whomever I want, in whatever way I want.” Gossip
12. “Scoffer” is the name of the arrogant, haughty man who acts with arrogant pride. Proverbs 21:24 (ESV)
13. Whoever slanders his neighbour secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. Psalm 101:5 (ESV)
14. Whoever belittles his neighbour lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Proverbs 11:12–13 (ESV)
15. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)
16. Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me. Psalm 41:9 (ESV)
17. GOSSIP IS THE OPPOSITE OF HOW THE SON SPEAKS TO THE FATHER ABOUT YOU
18. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:17 (ESV)
19. WHEN GOD SPEAKS TO US IT IS ALWAYS DIRECT AND FOR OUR GOOD
20. How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:9–11 (ESV)
21. Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments. Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way. Psalm 119:129–133 (ESV)
22. WORDS WERE CREATED PRIMARILY FOR RELATIONSHIP
23. THOSE WHO LOVE GOD RESPECT THE DIGNITY OF HIS IMAGE
24. And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself.” Luke 10:27 (ESV)
25. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilisations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendours. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. C.S. Lewis – The Weight of Glory
26. THE LOVE OF GOD AND NEIGHBOUR ARE INSEPARABLE
27. For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. How long will all of you attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence? Psalm 62:1–5 (ESV)
28. They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. Selah For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:1–5 (ESV)
29. Count it all joy brother when you meet trials of various kinds for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2–4 (ESV)