The Power of the Tongue

Oct. 24, 2011 By Pastor Jacque Babb, a Pastor of Keystone Church 

Though the scriptures are clear about being careful what we say, Christians are often careless about what comes out of their mouths.
 
Careless- Without thought or purpose; without due care; without attention to rule or system; unstudied; inconsiderate; spontaneous; rash
 
Paul said in 1Cor. 10:23, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being."
 
Edify- To instruct and improve
 
We have the free will to say and do what we want but what does it produce?  And whom do we represent?

Eph. 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
 
Do we impart grace to those hearing?
 
Impart- To communicate the knowledge of; to make known; to show by words or tokens; to tell; to disclose.
 
James 1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless.
 
Many say that they believe in God but they must not think He has ears because of the foul things that they allow to come out of their mouth which are really from their heart.
 
Eph. 5:3 ..., let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4  neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
 
We have "Good News" and with that news we can produce good fruit even in a corrupt and chaotic world.  We can bring hope, peace and forgiveness but with the same tongue we can bring chaos, corruption, and destruction.
 
Let's not be careless.  Let's guard our hearts and minds and our mouths will follow.
 
Prov. 19:16  He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,  But he who is careless of his ways will die.
 
Understand the power of the tongue it reveals the heart.
 
Matt. 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.
 
Prov. 18:21  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
 
Don't be careless.  Be wise to guard your heart and tongue.  We bring the message of life or death.