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Testing of the Tongue

July 17, 2022 • Mike Burt • James 3:1–12

If the eyes are the windows to the soul then the mouth is the door to the heart! What comes out in moments of unguarded passion are the often the worst and most vile expressions of thought and mind. The tongue can be employed to hurt and cut and even crush. Yet by God’s grace it can also be the tool of expression used for praise, worship, prayer and encouragements. With such a wide swing of outcomes the tongue must be a well taught and carefully controlled instrument of our life.

Remember what the tongue cost Zacharias! 40 weeks of silence for the doubting of his heart about God’s promises for his son (Luke 1). Such stories in the Bible should remind us of the serious consequences brought on by our words. Everything we say in life will eventually be tested by our life. James begins with warning to teachers and goes through a series of examples of how dangerous the tongue can be – comparing it to literal HELL. The truest tests in life are not how we speak but rather how we control our speech. Since the tongue can only reflect the heart and mind of the speaker it becomes the measure of what is real in our life – good and bad!

Be Careful! The speech made angry may very well be your best ever … and most regretted.

Remember – whoever gossips to you will gossip about you!

See you Sunday - John 7:46, “No man ever spoke like this Man.” Jesus!

Pastor Mike

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