The Tongue

Bikers Church Cape Town

The Tongue By Pastor George Lehman When you have spoken the word, it reigns over you. When it is unspoken, you reign over it. Arabian proverb. (Whatever comes out of your mouth, there will be consequences good or bad) Matthew 12:36-37 (Amp) – 36But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle (inoperative, nonworking) word they speak, 37For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced. Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. Abraham Lincoln. So many people get filled up and blessed by God’s truths from His word by sermons and bible readings etc. The problem is we just let it run out through our mouths (tongues) with our negative confessions. So few have a guard over their tongues If we are going to maintain and contain the blessings and promises of the Lord, we are going to have to keep a tight rein on our tongue. Let us see what the bible says about out Tongue! #1 The Lying Tongue – Proverbs 6:17 – A lying tongue. Lying is one of the things God finds detestable and all liars have their place in the lake of fire. Revelations 21:8 (Amp) – But as for the cowards and the ignoble and the contemptible and the cravenly lacking in courage and the cowardly submissive, and as for the unbelieving and faithless, and as for the depraved and defiled with abominations, and as for murderers and the lewd and adulterous and the practices of magic arts and the idolaters (those who give supreme devotion to anyone or anything other than God) and all liars (those who knowingly convey untruth by word or deed) – [all of these shall have] their part in the lake that blazes with fire and brimstone. This is the second death. You should also take note that the devil is the father of liars. #2 The Flattering Tongue – saying something you don’t mean. God hates Flattery. -Vleiery (Not being sincere, wanting something from someone. Using it to your advantage.) Psalm 12:3-4 (Amp) – 3May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting, 4Those who say, with our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will] – who is lord and master over us? As believers, we should never praise others because we want to get something from them. Be careful of ulterior motives. Ecclesiastes 5:7b – “... and there is ruin in a flood of empty words; fear God instead”. #3 The Proud Tongue A proud / boastful tongue is sinful. Proud believers are full of themselves and learn little from anyone else. Psalm 147:6 - “The Lord lifts up the humble and downtrodden; He casts the wicked down to the ground.” (A proud tongue will destroy your life) God’s grace will be extended to those who are Humble before Him. #4 The Overused Tongue – The only time you take your foot out is to stick the other foot in. A terrorist pointed a gun at a woman and asked, “Any last words?” 4 Hours later he shot himself..! Proverb 10:19 says that the prudent hold their tongues. We are advised to be persons of fewer words. #5 The Swift Tongue This is talking too quick or being too quick to answer without listening. James 1:19 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to be angry. Just call me if you need help; quick to promise but oh so slow or never do. #6 Backbiting Tongue Backbiters are those who use their tongues against others when they are absent. If we’re soaked in this habit, we need to change. If you have ever been a victim of backbiting, don’t backbite back; God will fight for you. This tongue destroys ministries, families and relationships. It will come back to bite you. #7 Gossiping Tongue Gossip is such a common sin today. God hates a gossiping tongue. If someone can gossip to you about someone else; they will do it to you too. Take care not to spread false information against others. Proverbs 20:19 “…Do not associate with a gossip.” #8 The Cursing/Cussing Tongue God hates cursing tongues, and people that curse have a serious problem with their spiritual life. In our anger and frustrations, let’s not utter cursing or Cussing words against the other person. Let’s bless those who curse us. Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]. #9 The Piercing Tongue – Using your tongue to deliberately hurt someone. Do not use your tongue indirectly against someone in an effort to mock them. God hates a tongue that pierces others. May God cleanse all these nine sins of the tongue in our lives so that we may glorify Him and treat others well. Let us follow this example in Psalm 71:8 - My mouth shall be filled with Your praise and with Your honour all the day. Close: What most naturally comes out of your mouth. Psalm 40:3 - “And He has put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many shall see and fear (revere and worship) and put their trust and confident reliance in the Lord. Proverbs 10:21 (Amp) – The lips of the [uncompromisingly] righteous feed and guide many, but fools die for want of understanding and heart.