Mouthing Off

2-1-2010
Mouthing Off

My senior Pastor at Preston Trail Community Church gave a great sermon titled, “Mouthing Off.” The sermon derives from James 3:2-5 in which James writes about the power of the tongue.

“2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
3When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.”

The ability to tame the tongue not only involves what you say, but also what you don’t say. As pastor Johnson said, “Don’t prove to people you are a jerk.” By being quite we often save ourselves and others from hurt. Things we need to avoid at all costs are gossip, negativity, slander, boasting, exaggerating, complaining, lying, false teaching, and putting others down. I truly believe we put people down in an attempt to somehow elevate ourselves. Those that are insecure make a habit of putting others down.

A great rule to live by is this: you are the star in a reality television show and the entire world is watching, be careful what you say! In reality, God hears everything we say and the intent in which it was said. He’s the one we should live to impress, so make sure our words are pleasing to God!

Application:
1. Look up Ephesians 4:29
2. Have someone hold you accountable to what you say.